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^^^■■^ 



VvX^'TOA'j. 



OF- 



BRANCH COUNTY, 



MICHIGAN, 



!_g==WITH 



|(llia«iratioiis and "5l||iograji!uciil ^ketclte^ 



t-^=OF^=5_> 



SOME OF ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS. 



-a- -• / 




PHILADELPH I A: 



-1879. 



.^^ 
^ 



u<^ 



I 







^fif} 



^ I- -'■ - •ii^'xSoSfettS 



^§S?5?T^g=^?^M 



B?*?^.o- i.j-'-.'io-. o- 



'i^r^i^^t 



!ortri::sSx>23:s'ns- JSTT37VSJ • >£i« 



PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA. 



_ V 



V 



/ 







w 






CONTENTS. 



HISTOK/ICA^Xj. 



HISTORY or BRANCH COUNTY. 

CHArTKR 

I. — Introductory ...... 

II. — E.irly Fn-iu'li Discoveries 
III.— Tlie"?ottl\\v;itl:imies .... 

IV. — The I'ottuwattaiuies, euutinued 
V. — The Potlawattamios, continued 
VI.— The Treaty-Making Period ... 
VII.— The Situation at Settlement 
VIII. — From Settlement to Organization of County 
IX. — From Organization to 1810 

X.— From 1841 to 1 SCI 

XI. — First Infantr}' . . 

XII. — Seventh Infantry 

XIII.— Ninth Infantry 

XIV.— Eleventh Infaiitry 

XV. — Fifteenth. Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Infanli 
XVI. — Nineteenth Infantry .... 

XVII. — Twenty-Eighth Infantry and First Sharpshooters 
XVIII.— Fourth and Fifth Cavalry 
XIX.— Eighth. Ninth, and Eleventh Cavalry 
XX.— Batterv A, First Light Artillery 

XXI.— Battery D 

XXII.— Batterv F 

XXIII.— Battery G 

XXIV. — Other Branch County Soldiers . 



PAGE 

9 
10 
12 
16 
26 
32 
35 
39 
48 
57 
59 
61 
63 
66 
71 
73 
77 
79 
82 
83 
90 
91 
94 
96 



XXV.— Branch County Since the War 
XXVI.— The Press of Branch County 
XXVII.— The State Public School . 
XXVIII. — -County Societies 

XXIX.— Branch County Civil List 

City of Coi.n\vATi-:it .... 

HISTORY OF THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES 
BRANCH COUNTY. 

Townshij) of Colihvater 

*• Quincy .... 



Union 
Bronson . 
fiirard . 
Alga usee 
tiilcad . 
Batavia . 
Bethel . 
Kinderhook 
Butler . 
Ovid 
Matteson 
Noble . 
Sherwood 
California 



PAIiR 

lis 
99 
103 
107 
109 

113 
OF 

165 
174 

ly.s 

216 
230 
239 
249 
265 
278 
291 
300 
309 
315 
324 
330 
339 



IILiXjTJSTE.^TI03srS. 



' 




PAGE 






PAGE 


state Public School for Dependent Children {Front 


ispiece) 




Portraits of A. Brown and Wife 


facing 


193 


facing title-page. 




B. F. Wheat and Wife . 


" 


193 


Map of Branch County ...... 


facing 


9 


" Peter M. Newberry and Wife . 




195 






John S. Bclote and Wife 




197 


COLDWATER (CITY). 






UNION. 






Art Gallery and Residence of H. C. Lewis 


facing 


113 


Portrait of Charles A. Lincoln .... 


facing 


200 


Fac-simile of the Reconlof the First Village Election, 183 


7 " 


115 


Residence of Ezra Bostwick (with portraits) 




208 


Portrait of Alonzo Waterman . 






facing 


119 


Portrait of Dr. H. F. Ewers .... 




214 


St. Mark's Episcopal Church 






'' 


124 


Portrait of Thomas B. Buell .... 




215 


Portraits of Thos. Dauglierty and Wife 






it 


129 








Ilesidencc of II. C. Fenn .... 






" 


144 


BRONSON. 






" A. C. Fisk (with portrait) . 
Portrait of John II. Beech, .M.D. 




etween 150 


151 














156 


Residence of Jonathan Holmes (with portraits) 


facing 


222 


" W. B. Spraguc. M.D..^ . 








157 


Portrait of Darius Monroe .... 


n 


226 


Portraits of L. D. Crippen and Wife . 






facing 


159 


*' AVales Adams ..... 




229 


*• Harvey llaynes and Wife 
Harvey Warner and Wife 






" 


159 
160 


GIRARD. 






'* Andrew S. Parri.'^h and Wife . 






facing 


161 


Residence of Peter I. Mann .... between 232 


233 


'' Asa Parrish and Wife 








161 


Portraits of Polly Mann and V. I. .Mann and Wife 


" 232 


233 


Portrait of James M. Long, M.D. 








161 


Portrait of Dr. M. E. Chaunccy 


facing 


238 


L. D. Halsted 








162 


" Mrs. Eliza Craig .... 


it 


238 


Portraits of Luke H. Whitcomb and Wife 








163 


Portraits of Henry Pierce and Wife . 


" 


238 


" Wui. S. (iilbert and Wife 
Portrait of John Allen .... 








164 
164 


ALGANSEE. 












Residence of the late Asahel Brown . 


facing 


240 


COLDWATER (TOWNSHIP). 






" John Joseph 

F. T. Gallup 


it 


242 
242 


Residence of Wui. P. Norton 


facing 


165 


Portraits of David Tift and Wife 


•• 


245 


Portrait of James R. Wilco.v 




172 


" E. S. E. Brainerd and Wife . 


•t 


245 


Portraits of John Roberts and AVifc .... 




173 


" William Kraiscr and Wife 
" A. Shumway and Wife . 


., 


245 
240 


QUINCY. 






" Samuel B. I'lanchett and Wife 


" 


246 


Residence of Lucas Joseph (with portraits) 

•' the late Enos G. Berry (with portraits) 
" J. R. -Morey (with portraits) 


facing 

<4 


174 
176 
178 


" Andrew Crater and Wife 
" F. D. Ransom and Wife 
" Asahel Brown and Wife . 




246 
247 
24 S 


Horace P. Jeffrey . 






t( 


ISO 








C. N. Wilcox 






" 


182 


GILEAD. 






Donovan and Conly's Block 






44 


184 


Residonco of the late Samuel Arnold. 


jetween 250 


,251 


Portraits of Ansel Nichols and Wife . 






tc 


189 


Portraits of Samuel Arnold and Wife 


250 


251 


Wm. P. Arnold " 






" 


189 


" Daniel Marsh and Wife . 


facing 


253 


Residence of D. H. Smith (with portraits) 






" 


190 


Residence of E. C. S. Green .... 


" 


256 


Portrait of Dr. Edson Blackman 








191 


" Hon. C. G. Luce .... 


" 


258 


Portraits of Joseph S. Swan and Wife 








192 


Portraits of Joseph Keeslar and Wife 




264 



CONTENTS. 



ILXjTJSTI^J^TIOITS. 



lacing 26 



272 
277 

277 
277 



B.VTAVIA. 

Kosidciu'e of Louisii S. Doujilor (witii portraits) 
Portrait of Joiin D. liiibor .... 

Portraits of Major Tiittlo ami Wife . 
" lloliry Miller anil WitV . 

Portrait of Pliilo Portor ..... 

KIKDEllIIOOK. 

Uesidcnoe of Sanmel A. Whitoomb (with portraits) . facing 2Ul 
Farm ami Uo.-^idoncv of l5nos Mioliacl (with portraits) between 292, 293 
Resilience of Ucorge Tripp .... " 294, 295 

Portraits of (ieorge Tripp ami Wit'e . 
Portrait of Hon. VVni. Chase 
Portraits of A. W. Case an.l Wife 

.losepl\ Hawks anil WitV 

l>avi«l Tripp anil WilV- . 



liesiilence of Silas Knt 



294, 295 

294, 295 

facing 298 

between 29S. 299 

298, 29'.) 

. 299 

faeini .■iOO 



BUTliEU. 



Uesidenec of D. T,. Uurbank .... 

" liUeinda 11. Linstlay (with portraits) 

Portraits of Charles E. liowers ami Wife . 



facing oOO 

304 

. 307 



OVID. 



Residence of Samuel M. Treat . 
Portraits of S. M. Treat and Wife 



facing 309 
311 



Portraits of Dr. Daniel AVilson and AVife . 
Portrait of Henry Lockwood .... 

MATTESON. 

Residence of Ashley Turner (with ]»ortrails) 

Amos (iardnor ( " ) . 

James 0. .Tobuson (with portraits). 

Portraits of Jesse .Meredith and Wife 

NOBLE. 

Residence of Hon. ti. P Robinson. 

Walter W. Smith (with portraits) 
the late E. T. (Jarilner (with portraits) 
Portraits of Christina, Chauncey, and Russell Chas 
Residence of K. li. Bushnell (^Yith portraits) 

SIIEKWUOD. 

Residence of E. F. Hazcn .... 

Oscar Oline (with jiortraits) . 
Portrait of Horace A. Ijcc .... 

Hiram I)oubleilay 
Residence of Jabin R. (_iwin 
Portraits of Jnbin R. (twin and Wife 
•' Nowcomb Wilco.x and Wife 

CALIFOKNIA. 

Portraits of J. H. Lawrence and Wife 
Charles Raymond and AVife 





PAGE 


" 


.312 




.315 


facing 


317 


between 320 


321 


322 


323 




323 


facing 


324 


between 320 


327 


s) •• 320 


327 


e facing 


32S 




329 


facing 


330 


between 332 


333 


facing 


334 


.* 


334 


. 


337 




337 




33S 



facing 



341 
347 



biog-:r-a.:e>e:io^Xj- 



P.KOE 


.VIon/.o Waterman facing 119 


Thonois Daughertv .... 




129 


John 11. Ueceh, M.D. 




. 156 


William R. Sprai;ue, M.D. 








. 156 


lioreu/.o D. t^-ippcn .... 








. 159 


Hon. Harvey llavnes . . , ' 








. 159 


llarvev Warner, Ksii. 








. 159 


James M. Long. M.D. 








. 161 


Andrew S. Purrish .... 








. 161 


.\sa Parrish *? — .... 








. U!2 


Loren/.o D. llalsted .... 








. Ili2 


Lake 11. Whiteonib ... 








. 163 


William S. Cilberl .... 








. 163 


John .\llen .... 








. 164 


.\bram t\ Fisk ..... 








. 172 


.lames U. Wiloo.x .... 








. 172 


John Roberts ..... 








. 173 


M'illiam P. Norton .... 








. 174 


Hon. William P. Arnold . 








. 1S9 


Ansel Nichols .... 








. 190 


Daniel H. Smith ... 








. 190 


Dr. Edson Ulaekman .... 








. 191 


Joseph S. Swan ..... 








. 191 


Chas. N. Wiloo.\ ..... 








. 192 


1!. F. Wheat 








. 193 


.'Vlvarado Rrown ..... 








. 193 


Lucas Joseith ..... 
Peter M. Newboirv .... 








. 194 








. 195 


Dr. Enos (i. Berry .... 








. 195 


John S. Relole 








. 197 


John R. Jlorev 








. 19$ 


Charles .-V. IJncoln .... 






1 


acing 200 


E/ra Rostwick ..... 








. 214 


H. Francis Ewers, M.D. 








. 214 


Thomas l>. Rucll .... 








. 21. i 


Wales .\dams . . . , . 








. 22S 


.lonathun Holmes .... 








. 229 


Peter 1. Mann 




I 


jetwe 


en 232, 233 


Dr. Moses K. Chauncey 








. 23S 


llenrv Pierce ..... 








. 23S 


.Mrs. VMm Craig .... 








. 23S 


D. h. liray 








. 244 


S. E. Brainard 








. 246 


William Kraiser 








. 245 


David Tilt 








. 245 


.•Vlfrvd Shumway .... 








. 246 



-Vndrew Crater . 

S. B. Hanehett . 

Francis D. Hansom . 

F. T. tJallnp 

Asahcl IJrown 

Samuel .-Vrnold 

Daniel Marsh 

Hon. Cyrus G. Luce . 

Mrs. Catharine S. .\rnolil . 

Joseph Kocslar 

E. C. S. tireen . 

John D. Imber 

Henry Miller 

Philo" Porter 

ticorge Tripp 

Hon. William Chase 

Enos Michael 

A. W. Chase 

Joseph Hawks 

Silas Eiu .... 

David Tripp 

Samuel A. Whiteomb . 

David Linsday . 

Dwight L. lUirbank . 

Charles E. Bowers 

Samuel Jl. Treat 

Dr. Daniel Wilson 

Henry Lockwood 

Amos (.Jarilner . 

James 0. Johnson 

Jesse ileredith . 

Ashley Turner . 

Christina Chase . 

tieorge P. Robinson . 

Horace P. .TetVroy 

Walter W. Smith 

Samuel S. and E. B. Busbnell 

Elisha T. Dardner 

Horace .A. Lee 

Hiram Donblcday 

l'4>hraim Cliue . 

Jabin R. tiwin . 

Newcomb Wilcox 

The Lawrence Family 

Charles Raymond 



bet 



ween 250 
facing 



facing 



PAGE 

240 
247 
247 
24S 
24S 
,251 
253 
262 
263 
204 
204 
272 
277 



bet 



ween 294, 
facing 



bet 



ween 298, 
29;!, 



facing 



facing 



29.^ 
296 
29S 
299 
299 
299 
299 
299 
306 
30S 
307 
311 
312 
314 
322 
322 
323 
323 
32S 
328 
329 
329 
329 
330 
334 
334 
337 
337 
33S 
341 
347 



OutlineMap 

OF 

m A M c H County 

M ICHIGAN 



Engraved Exfbessly For This Work 



-►*♦*■•-►* 




HISTORY 



OF 



BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



BY CRISFIELD JOHNSON. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



Plnn of the Work — A Consecutive History — Supplementary Chapters 
— City anil Township Historie-s^Thc Illustrations — Future Value 
of Local Histories — The /'titiamiUfimiet^Thv Books Consulted — 
Acknowledgments to Individuals — The Work Subniittcil. 

The plan of this history of Branch County comprises in 
the first place a connected, consecutive statement of all the 
facts of general interest relating to the territory now com- 
prising that county, from the earliest accounts down to the 
present time, embracing a short description of its natural 
characteristics, and a pretty full record of the principal 
events occurring within ita limits, or in which its residents 
have been actors. This portion of the work adheres very 
closely to the chronological order, and includes the history 
of the Pottawattamie Indians, — the old-time occupants and 
lords of the Saint Joseph Valley, — an account of the treaties 
by which that valley Wiis transferred to the whites, an out- 
line sketch of the first settlement of the county, a record 
of some of the more prominent features of its development, 
and the ever interesting story of the achievements of the 
gallant sons of Branch County in the war for the Union. 
This consecutive account is supplemented by several chap- 
ters, the subjects of which cannot well be incorporated in 
that account ; such as sketches of the various county so- 
cieties, a list of the principal oflicers, a history of the State 
school, etc., etc. The whole, thus far, covers near a hun- 
dred of the first pages of the volume, and constitutes the 
general history of the county. 

The later and larger portion of the work embraces sepa- 
rate histories of the city of Coldwater, and of each of the 
sixteen townships of the county, going with considerable 
detail into the facts of their early settlement, showing the 
hardships and vicissitudes of pioneer life as narrated by 
the pioneers themselves, and giving lists of the township 
officers, together with separate sketches of all the churches, 
lodges, and other local organizations. 

Intermingled with these are to be found numerous por- 
traits of prominent citizens of the county, accompanied by 
their biographies, together with occasional views of their 
residences. Whatever may be suid by the critically dis- 
posed regarding the literary execution of the work, the 
2 



writer can confidently recommend the productions of the 
artists and engravers as being of a decidedly high order of 
merit. They have reproduced the faces of the past genera- 
tions, and both the homes and features of to-day, so accurately 
that even after the lapse of a century there need Ije no 
difficulty in knowing precisely what was the condition of 
Branch County in 1879. 

And, although there may be those who are disposed to 
smile at the idea of a mere county history, in which the 
features of plain farmers and mechanics appear side by side 
with some of the most distinguished citizens of the State, 
yet it is safe to predict that in fifty years few books will be 
more sought after (haii these local records of to-day, with 
their delineations of pioneer life and their thoroughly dem- 
ocratic illustrations of all cla.sscs of the community. And 
this simply for the facts depicted by pencil and pen, and 
despite of any barrenness of style or awkwardness of ar- 
rangement of which the author may be guilty. Such a 
record will be scarcely less valuable than would now be a 
similar account of actual life in the Revolutionary era, with 
portraits, not merely of a few generals and statesmen, but 
of the people of that day, who long since went down to 
their graves unhonored, unrecorded, and unsung. 

The early history of this county (that is, its history pre- 
vious to its settlement) is mostly confined to the story of 
the Poltaivattamifs. Three chapters have been prepared 
on this subject with considerable care, and have been in- 
serted in the histories of both Branch and Hillsdale Coun- 
ties, its that tribe was for over a century the masters and 
occupants of the whole valley of the St. Joseph. Since the 
settlement by the whites, the story of Branch County runs 
in an entirely separate channel. 

To obtain the information thus embodied in the earlier 
and some of the later, portions of the work it has been 
necessary to consult numerous books having relation to the 
subjects under consideration. Among the principal of these 
we are indebted to Parkmau's Conspiracy of Pontiac, 
Parkman's Discovery of the Great West, Smith's Life and 
Times of Lewis Cass, Drake's Life of Tecumseh, Drake's 
Book of the Indians, Schoolcraft's Report on the Indians, 
Losaiug's Field Book of the War of 1S12, Lanman's lied 
Book of Michigan, the published Indian Treaties of the 
United States, the Territorial and Session Laws of Michi- 

9 



10 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



gan, the Reports of Adjutant-General Robertson from 1861 
to 1866, the Reports of the Superintendent of Public In- 
struction, and Pierce's History of St. Joseph County, besides 
several minor works. 

The greater part of the pioneer record of the county is 
embodied in the sketches of Coldvvater city and the various 
townships, yet in obtaining matter for a general outline of 
that period we received much assistance from those veteran 
pioneers, Messrs. Wales Adams, Allen Tibbitts, Harvey 
Warner, and James B. Tompkins. Messrs. E. G. Fuller, 
Harvey Haynes, and Roland Root supplied us with many 
facts regarding a somewhat later period ; Mr. Root's infor- 
mation being especially full in relation to the Indians from 
183C down to the time of their removal. 

Our acknowledgments are also due to Adjutant-General 
Robertson and his eflBcient clerk Mr. Humphrey for aid af- 
forded us in obtaining the records of the officers and soldiers 
of Branch County in the war for the Union, to Mrs. Tenny, 
the librarian of the State library, for the courtesy with which 
the ample resources of that institution were placed at our 
disposal, and to the press of Branch County for access to 
their files and many other favors. 

Some others, who have been consulted on particular points, 
will be mentioned as those points are discussed. Those who 
have furnished material to the writers on the city and town- 
ships may be numbered by the hundred, and it would be 
impracticable to include them here. Many of them will be 
mentioned in the city and township histories, and to all we 
return the thanks of the publishers and writers. 

And now we submit our work to the people of Branch 
County. We trust they will be pleased with it in spite of 
some imperfections, which keen eyes will doubtless find in 
its pages, and that not only they but their children and 
their children's children will occasionally turn thither from 
more exciting tales and more eloquent periods to learn the 
humble but honorable story of their home. 



CHAPTER II. 

EARLY FRENCH DISCOVERIES. 

Arrival of the French on the Upper Lakes — Champlain in 1615 — The 
Franciscan Priests — The Jesuits — Hunters and Traders — Ray mbault 
and Jogues in 1641 — The Wi/aiidots and Ottawas — Father Mar- 
quette — The Lake Country formally taken Possession of for the 
King of France — Marquette Discovers the Mississippi — Discovers 
and E.\plores the St. Joseph — La Salle and the "Griffin" — A Fort on 
the St. Joseph — Loss of the " Griffin" — La Salle's Subsequent Career 
and Murder — French Dominion — Influence of Fort St. Joseph — 
Founding of Detroit — The Puttawattamies, 

Though the French were unquestionably the first ex- 
plorers of the shores of all the great lakes of North America, 
yet it is somewhat doubtful at what precise time they first 
reached the peninsula of Michigan. As early as 1615, 
Samuel de Champlain, then governor of the infant province 
of Canada, which he had founded, visited the Huron tribes 
on the shores of Luke Manitouline. Almost or quite as 
early, priests of the " Recollet" or Franciscan order estab- 
lished Catholic missions in the same locality, and it is not 



improbable that some of them visited the shores of the 
great peninsula a little farther westward; for all, whether 
friends or foes, admit the extraordinary zeal and unflinching 
courage of the Catholic missionaries in their efforts to make 
proselytes among the savages of North America. In 1625, 
however, there arrived on the banks of the St. Lawrence 
the vanguard of a black -gowned host, to be sent to America 
by a still more vigorous, zealous, and highly-disciplined 
order, — the far-famed Jesuits. These fiery champions of 
the cross were destined to crowd aside the more peaceful 
or more inert Franciscans throughout the whole lake region, 
and substantially appropriate that missionary ground to 
themselves. 

French hunters and fur-traders, too, made their way into 
the West far in advance of their English rivals, and doubt- 
less reached the confines of Michigan early in the seven- 
teenth century. Their course, however, was not along the 
great watery highway through Lakes Ontario and Erie and 
the Niagara River, for there dwelt the fierce, untamable Iro- 
quois, the bravest and most politic of all the Indians of 
North America, whom Champlain, by an ill-advised attack, 
had made the deadly enemies of the French. With the 
Huroits, or ^Yyandots, who though a branch of the same 
race were the foes of the Iroquois, the French were fast 
friends, and had no difficulty in penetrating westward as far 
as their domain extended. Their seats were on the eastern 
side of Lake Huron, while our peninsula was occupied by 
Ottawas, Ojihwas (or Chippewas), and Pottawattamies, not 
perhaps as friendly as the Ilarvns, but standing in fear of 
the conquering Iroquois, and therefore disposed to be on 
good terms with the French foes of that confederacy. 

The course of the intrepid missionaries and traders was 
up the Ottawa River from Montreal ; thence across to the 
western division of Lake Huron, otherwise known as Lake 
Manitouline, and thence coasting along the northern shore 
of that body of water to the Saut Saint« Marie and the 
Straits of Michillimacinac. 

In the year 1641, the Jesuits Raymbault and Jogues 
reached the former point, preached to a crowd of savages, 
and raised the flag of France, in token of sovereignty, beside 
the rushing outlet of Lake Superior. Doubtless other mis- 
sionaries and numerous voyageurs and fur-traders explored 
the outskirts of Michigan, and possibly penetrated its in- 
terior, but there are few records to show their adventurous 
deeds. 

In 1659, the Wyandots, or Ilinons, fled from the valley 
of the St. Lawrence before the attacks of the Iroquois, 
seeking shelter in the islands of Lake Manitouline. The 
Ottawawas, since called Ottawas, who had previously re- 
sided there, retired to the northern part of the main penin- 
sula of Michigan. The Wyandots, or a portion of them, 
again assailed by the Iroquois, fled to the Straits of Mich- 
illimacinac, and still again to the shores of Lake Superior. 
Being again followed by their implacable enemies, however, 
they were enabled to repulse them, and thenceforward, being 
to some extent protected by the French, the Wi/aiidots 
dwelt on the borders of the great lakes which surround the 
peninsula of Michigan. 

In 1668, the celebrated Father Marquette, accompanied 
by Father Claude Dablon, founded a mission at Saut Sainte 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



11 



Marie, at the northern extremity of Michigan ; and in 
1G71 established that of St. Ii^nacc, on the Straits of Mieh- 
illimaeiiiac (now spelled Mackinaw). 

In 11)70, a French offioer, Dauniont de St. Lusson, raised 
the flag of France at the Saut Sainte Marie with pompous 
ceremonies, and, so far as words could do so, took possession 
of the whole region of the great lakes in the name of " the 
Most High, Mighty, and Redoubtable Monarch, Louis, 
Fourteenth of that name, Most Christian King of France 
and of Navarre." 

But the French were by no means disposed to rest con- 
tent with sounding proclamations. Still eager to spread the 
reign of the cross among the heathen, and doubtless not 
unwilling to extend the domain of King Louis over new 
empires, the intrepid Manjuette pushed forward into the 
wilderness, and discovered the mighty stream which has 
since borne the name of Mississippi. Shortly afterwards, 
in 1773, while coasting along the eastern shore of Lake 
Michigan, Marf|uette discovered a stream which he explored 
for several miles, and to which he gave the name of St. 
Joseph. This was, so far as known, the first acr(uaintance 
of Europeans with the fertile valley, in the eastern part of 
which lies the county of Branch. 

But a still greater explorer than Marquette was about to 
traverse the lakes and lands of the great West, though, un- 
like Marquette, ho did not subordinate all other objects to 
the spread of his religion. In the month of August, 1679, 
the wonder-stricken savages on the shores of Detroit River 
saw what seemed to them a huge canoe, with immense 
wings, stemming the powerful current without the aid of 
oars or paddles, and swiftly traversing the placid sheet of 
water now known as Lake St. Clair. This was the " Griffin,'' 
a schooner of sixty tons, built the preceding winter and 
spring on the shore of the Niagara, ju.st above the great 
cataract, and which on the 7th of August had set forth on 
the first voyage ever made by a sail vessel over the waters 
of the upper lakes. Its commander was Robert Cavelier 
de La Salle, the most hardy and adventurous of all the gal- 
lant Frenchmen who explored the wilds of North America, 
and the one whose discoveries did the most to extend the 
dominions of his royal master. 

The only portrait which has been preserved of La Salle 
represents him as a blue-eyed, handsome cavalier with 
blonde ringlets, apparently better fitted for the salons of Paris 
than the forests of America ; but a thousand evidences show 
not only the courage but the extraordinary vigor and hardi- 
hood of this remarkable man. He was accompanied by 
Tonti, a gallant Italian exile, who was his second in com- 
mand, by Father Hennepin, a Franciscan monk, who 
became the historian of the expedition, and by about thirty 
sailors, voyageurs, hunters, etc. 

The "Griffin" passed on over the tempest-tossed waters of 
Lake Huron, through the Strait of Michillimacinac, out 
upon the unknown waste of Lake Michigan, and at length 
came to anchor in Green Bay. Thence she was sent back 
with a part of her crew and a cargo of furs, while the in- 
trepid La Salle with a score of men remained to explore 
the vast unconquered empire whicli lay spread before him. 
He and his comrades in birch-bark canoes coasted along 
the western shore of Lake Michigan, reaching its southern 



extremity on the eighteenth day of October, 1679. Thence 
the flotilla proceeded to the mouth of the St. Joseph River.* 
At its mouth he built a fortified trading-post, to which he 
gave the name of Fort of the Miamis, and which wa-s in- 
tended both to facilitate commerce and curb the hostility 
of the surrounding tribes. Pottaimittiimics were found at 
the southern end and on the western shore of Lake Michi- 
gan. 

This trading-post, or fort, was the first built for the purr 
pose of controlling the Indians of this part of the Northwest, 
and its erection, coincident with the appearance of a French 
vessel on the upper lakes, may be considered as marking the 
establishment of French authority (though somewhat vague) 
over the peninsula of Michigan, including the county which 
is the subject of this history. La Salle and his comrades 
remained several weary months at the St. Joseph awaiting 
the return of the " Griffin," but that ill-fated bark was never 
heard of after leaving the outlet of Green Bay. Whether, 
as is probable, it went down with all its men before the 
gales of one of the great inland seas, or was captured at 
anchor by jealous savages, its crew butchered and the ves- 
sel itself destroyed, is one of the unsolved problems of 
American history. 

Despairing at length of the "Griffin's" return. La Salle 
with a portion of his men in December proceeded up the St. 
Joseph River in canoes to South Bend, in the present State 
of Indiana, whence they made their way overland to the 
head-waters of the Illinois. The future career of this ad- 
venturous explorer is not especially connected with the 
history of this region, and must be dismissed in a few 
words. 

After numerous remarkable adventures (being compelled 
once to return to Canada on foot) La Salle explored the 
Mississippi to the sea, and took verbal possession of the 
adjacent country for the benefit of King Louis the Four- 
teenth, by the name of Louisiana. While attempting, how- 
ever, to colonize the new domain he met with many mis- 
fortunes, and was at length assassinated by two of his own 
men in Texas, in the year 1687. 

But, notwithstanding the unfortunate end of the great 
discoverer, his achievements had extended the dominion of 
France more widely than had any of his adventurous com- 
patriots, and from that time forth the Bourbon kings main- 
tained an ascendency more or less complete throughout all 
the vast region extending from Quebec to New Orleans, 
until compelled to resign it nearly a century later by the 
prowess of the Briti.sh. French vessels circled around the 
great lakes on the track of the ill-fated " Grifl[in," French 
forts and trading-posts were established in the wilderness, 
and French niLssionarios bore the cross among the heathen 
with redoubled zeal. French adroitness succeeded in estab- 
lishing friendly relations with the Indians on the shores of 
all the upjier lakes, and membei-s of all the various bands 
found their way to Fort Frontenac (now Kingston), and 
even to Montreal, with packages of furs to sell to the chil- 
dren of their great father across the sea. 

The English, busily engaged in building up a powerful but 
com pact em pire along the sea-coast , scarcely attempted to ri val 

» From a few Mianiit who were then located there, La Sallo called it 
the river of the Miaiiiis. 



12 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



their Gallic competitors in gaining control over the immense 
interior. The various Indian tribes doubtless would have 
rejected with scorn the idea of French ownership in the 
lands which they and their fathers had so long occupied, 
but as between the English and French it was substantially 
understood that the dominion of the former extended from 
the mouth of the St. Lawrence to that of the Mississippi. 
The only question was where the boundary line should be 
between the two domains. 

The Indians around the upper lakes were the more ready 
to court the friendship of the French, since it was only 
from the latter that they could obtain arms and ammunition 
to contest with the terrible Iroquois. After the time of 
La Salle the French government supported a post, and the 
Jesuit fathers maintained a mission, at the mouth of the 
St. Joseph, and the two institutions became a centre of in- 
fluence over all the southern part of the peninsula. In 1701 , 
however, another frontier post was established, destined soon 
to overshadow that of St. Joseph. In that year Monsieur 
La Motte de Cadillac, an officer in the service of the King 
of France, with a small detachment of troops, landed at the 
head of Detroit River, and established a po.st to which he 
gave the name of " Fort Ponchartrain," but which soon 
became known by the appellation of " Detroit." This post 
and the whole of Michigan were nominally a part of the 
province of Canada, and so remained during both French 
and English rule. During the French dominion, however, 
the provincial government exercised very little authority, 
except to appoint commanders of the various posts. Tliose 
commanders ruled both the soldiers and the few civilians 
about as they saw proper. 

The establishment of this post increased still more the 
influence of the French throughout the West, and especially 
throughout the peninsula of Michigan. There seemed little 
doubt that this whole region was to be subject to French 
rule, and fancy might have pictured these gleaming lakes 
and rippling rivers overlooked by the baronial castles of 
French seigneurs, while around them clustered the humble 
dwellings of their loyal retainers. French hunters and 
trappers made their way into all parts of the peninsula, 
establishing friendly relations with the natives, and not 
unfrequently forming unions more or less permanent with 
the copper-colored damsels of the various tribes. 

Of these tribes we are especially concerned with the 
Puttawattamies, who soon obtained entire control of the 
valley of the St. Joseph, who are known to have been fully 
established here in 1721, and who for over a.century were 
the undisputed lords of its noble forests, its pellucid lakes 
and its grassy glades. From the time of the early discov- 
eries already mentioned down to the beginning of settle- 
ment and cultivation by the whites, the history of the 
territory now composing Branch County, with the rest of 
the St. Joseph Valley, is confined substantially to the doings 
of the Pottaioattamie Indians. To them and their deeds 
the following three chapters are devoted. 



CHAPTER IIL 

THE POTTAWATTAMIES. 

General Relations of the iBdian Tribes — Iroquois and Ahjouqnins — 
Their Location — Numerous Tribes of Ahjonquin Race — The PoUa- 
uattamies — Their League with the Ottawas and Chippeicaa — Their 
Establishment in the Saint Joseph Valley — Changes of Location — 
Absence of Romance — Indian Warfare — Indian AVeapons — Sur- 
prising an Enemy — Insult and Torture — Adoption — The Mission 
of Saint Joseph — Pottawattamie Friendship for the French — Rescue 
of Detroit — Trading with French and English — The War of 1744 
— Raids on the Frontiers — French Records of the Pottawattannes — 
Peace in 1748. 

In order to give a correct idea of the position and history 
of the Pottawattamie Indians, so long the lords of Branch 
County and all the adjacent country, it is necessary very 
briefly to sketch the general relations of the Indians of this 
part of Nortli America. Of course the writer of a mere 
county history does not pretend to have investigated this 
abstruse subject by reference to original souiices of informa- 
tion ; he is obliged to depend on those who have made 
tho.se matters the study of their lives, — especially on Fran- 
cis Parkman, the accomplished author of the " Con.spiracy 
of Pontiac," the " Discovery of the Great West," and other 
works on cognate subjects. 

When the French and English hunters first penetrated 
the dark forests whose gloomy masses rolled from the shores 
of the North Atlantic far back beyond the AUeghanies, and 
when the most adventurous among them first gladdened 
their eyes with the gay prairies still farther westward, they 
found two great Indian races occupying the whole land from 
the ocean to the Mississippi, and from the valleys of Ten- 
nessee to the frozen regions of Northern Canada. South- 
ward of these limits were the Mobilian tribes, of whom the 
Cherohees, Chickasaws, and others have since adopted to 
some extent the customs of the whites, while west of the 
Father of Waters were the great Dakota race, whose prin- 
cipal representatives, the Sioux, still roam in savage freedom 
over the prairies, a terror to all who cross their path. 

The two races, who, as stated a few lines above, occupied 
the whole northeastern portion of the United States and a 
large part of Canada, were the Iroquois and the Algonquins, 
Though the former were the most celebrated and the most 
powerful, the latter were by far the most numerous; in fact, 
as has been truly said, the former were like an island amid 
the vast hordes of Algonquiiis around. The five confederate 
tribes of the Iroquois, commonly known as the Five Nations 
(afterwards the Six Nations), occupied a strong position, 
extending from the banks of the Hudson nearly to those 
of the Niagara, protected on the north by the waters of 
Lake Ontario, on the south by the mountains of Pennsyl- 
vania, and now comprising the heart of the great Empire 
State. The Wt/aiidots, or Hurons, before mentioned, were 
an outlying branch of the same race, but hostile to the 
great confederacy ; while the Titscaroras were a friendly 
ofishoot in the South, who afterwards became the sixth of 
the Six Nations. 

Aside from these, the woods and prairies far and near 
swarmed with the diverse tribes of the Algonquin race; 
Abeiiaquis in Canada, Pequots and Narragiinsetts in New 
England, Delaitiares in Pennsylvania, Sliawitees in Ohio, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



13 



Miamis in Ohio and Indiana, Illinois in the territory of the 
State wliich still boars their name, Sdiikx, Foxes, and Meno- 
monees in the country west of Lake Michigan, while the 
great peninsula of Michigan, and some neighboring sections, 
were occupied by the Ojibwuj/s, or Cliippewus, the Oltaioas, 
and the tribe which is the especial subject of this chapter, 
t\\e I'olfawaflamics. All these, though sundered far apart, 
and often warring desperately among themselves, have been 
shown by students of their characteristics to have belonged 
to one great stock, and to have spoken various dialects of one 
language. They outnumbered the Five Nations of Iroquois 
more than ten to one; yet such was the superior skill, 
sagacity, and prowess of the confederates that they were 
able to defeat their disunited foes one after the other, till 
none could stand before them, and the terror of their name 
spread over half the continent. Even the Wi/diuJots, 
though of the same race, and almost equal in numbers, 
lacked the ferocious energy of the Five Nations, and werp 
driven before them as deer are driven before the screaming 
panther. 

The three tribes of Algouqiihi stock just mentioned, 
the OJibwas, the Oftawns, and the Fottawuttamies, were 
in the forepart of the eighteenth century united in a rude 
confederacy, somewhat similar to the celebrated league of 
the Iroquois, but far less thorough and less potent. The 
dialects of the three tribes differed less even than was 
usual among the various branches of the Algonquin race, 
and, notwithstanding some differences of inflection, the 
members could understand each other without the aid of 
an interpreter. 

The Ojibwas, outnumbering both the other two tribes 
combined, dwelt in the frozen region of Lake Superior, 
where their descendants still chase the elk and moose amid 
the gloomy pines, and spear their finny prey over the 
sides of frail canoes, rocked on the boiling waters of the 
Saut Sainte Marie. The Oltawas, who had fled from 
Canada before the hatred of the all-conquering Iroquois, 
had their principal headquarters in the vicinity of Detroit 
and St. Clair Rivers, where, after the erection of Fort Pon- 
chartrain by their French friends, they felt comparatively 
secure from their terrible enemies. Finally, the domain of 
the Pott awatt amies, the subject of these chapters, stretched 
from the vicinity of Chicago around the head of Lake Michi- 
gan, northward to the mouth of the Kalamazoo or beyond, 
while to the eastward it extended so as to include the valleys 
of the St. Joseph, the Kalamazoo, and other streams which 
flow into Lake Michigan from the central portion of the 
peninsula. 

The exact period at which the Poftawnttnmies established 
themselves in the valley of the St. Joseph is unknown. 
Unless La Salle was mistaken, the Miamis occupied the 
banks of the St. Joseph in 1678, at which time the Potla- 
wattamies are believed to have been mostly in the vicinity 
of Green Bay. It is certain, however, that they were in 
the St. Joseph Valley in 1721 (having probably established 
themselves there about the beginning of the century), and 
there they remained until within the memory of men still 
living. 

It will be understood, however, that the location of the 
various tribes of the Iroquois and Algonquin races at that 



distant period can only be given with approximate correct- 
ness. Their boundaries were constantly changing. Tribes 
were frequently driven by the fortunes of war from the 
homes of their fathers, or even blotted from the list of 
forest nationalities. Sometimes they changed their locali- 
ties in search of more abundant game, and sometimes no 
cause but caprice could be assigned for their migrations. 
Not only did whole tribes occasionally change their loca- 
tions, but in many cases outlying clans dwelt at a long 
distance from the parent tribe, being sometimes surrounded 
by the villages of other nations. Thus, though the main 
body of the Poltinidtliimirs were to be found as early as 
1721 stretchir)g from the head of Lake Michigan eastward 
to the head of the St. Joseph River, there were for a con- 
siderable time two or three detached villages in the vicinity 
of Detroit, and others in the neighborhood of Green 
Bay. 

Besides these more permanent changes of location, the 
several bands of which each nation was composed were, 
even in time of peace, constantly migrating to and fro over 
the domain which unquestionably belonged to their tribe. 
In summer they raised corn (that is, the squaws did) in 
one place, in winter they hunted in another, perhaps a 
hundred miles distant, and in spring they visited .still 
another location for the purpose of fishing; usually but 
not always returning to their former ground to raise and 
harvest their crops. Yet, notwithstanding these various 
changes by which the Poltawattamies were more or less 
affected, they continued for over a century and a quarter 
the raastei-s of the territory composing this county, and 
their bloody record is perhaps quite as deserving of being 
embodied in history as arc those of several other con- 
querors. 

While, however, the admirers of stirring adventure and 
desperate conflict may find .something of interest in the 
story of an Indian tribe, it would be hopeless for the lover 
of romance to seek there for aught to gratify his taste. No 
truthful delineation can present the Indian as a romantic 
character. Ajpathetic in an extraordinary degree in regard 
to the softer passions, it is seldom, indeed, that love sways 
his actions, although the slightest cause is liable to arouse 
him to the direst fury of hate. He had rather capture one 
scalp than a dozen hearts. 

The Poltmoatlnmie inherited the usual characteristics of 
the Indian, and especially of the Algonquin race. Less ter- 
rible in battle, less sagacious in council, than the men of the 
Five Nations, he was, nevertheless, like the rest of his red 
brethren, a brave, hardy, and skillful warrior, an astute man- 
ager so far as his knowledge extended, generally a faithful 
friend, and invariably a most implacable enemy. Ilis own 
time he devoted to war, the chase, or idleness, abandoning 
to the women the labor of raising his scanty supplies of 
Indian corn, pumpkins, and beans, of transporting his house- 
hold goods from point to point, and every other burden 
which he could possibly impose upon her weary shoulders. 
He lived in the utmost freedom which it is possible to 
imagine, consistent with any civil or military organization 
whatever. His sachems exercised little authority except to 
declare war and make peace, to determine on the migrations 
of the tribe, and to give wise counsels allaying any ill feel- 



1,4 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ings which might arise among the people. There was no 
positive law compelling obedience. 

Even when war was declared there was no way by which 
the braves could be compelled to take the war-path. Any 
war-chief could drive a stake in the ground, dance the war- 
dance around it, strike his tomahawk into it with a yell of 
defiance, and call for volunteers to go forth against the foe. 
If his courage or capacity were doubted, he obtained but few 
followers. If he were of approved valor and skill, a larger 
number would grasp their tomahawks in response to his ap- 
peal; while, if he were a chieftain distinguished far and wide 
for deeds of blood and craft, the whole nation would spring 
to arms, and all its villages would resound with the terrific 
notes of the war-song, chanted by hundreds of frenzied 
braves. 

With followers few or many, the chief went forth against 
the foe. But he could not compel their obedience a mo- 
ment longer than they chose to give it, and no punishment 
but disgrace awaited the recreant who deserted his leader 
in the hour of his utmost need. The most extreme penalty 
only consisted in giving the dishonor due the dastard a 
visible form, by enveloping him in the garments of a woman 
and compelling him to perform the menial labors usually 
performed by the weaker sex. But to an Indian, accus- 
tomed to look down on his squaw as infinitely below him, 
this would be the most terrible of inflictions. 

As is well known, the original weapons of the Indians 
were bows and arrows (the latter tipped with flint), war- 
clubs, stone tomahawks, and scalping-knives also made of 
sharpened flints. But, stubborn as tlioy were in repelling 
all the afts of civilization offered by ihc whites, they 
grasped eagerly at the formidable implements of war 
brought across the Atlantic. Iron tomahawks and scalp- 
ing-knives could be cheaply manufactured, and soon an 
ample supply of them was furnished by the Dutch and 
English to the Iroquois, and by the French to the numer- 
ous tribes of the Algonquin race under the influence of 
that subtle people. 

Guns and ammunition were more costly, but the Indian 
longed for them with a love second only to his passion for 
whisky, and, despite occasional prohibitions by the colonial 
authorities on either side, the best warriors and hunters in 
the various tribes were soon provided with these deadly in- 
struments of slaughter. In fact, whenever war was threat- 
ened between the French and English, both parties were 
eager to enlist all the Indian allies they could, and furnished 
muskets and gunpowder with a free hand. 

Armed and equipped, clad only in a breech-clout, but 
covered from head to foot with paint disposed in the most 
hideous figures, his head crested with feathers of the wild 
birds he had slain, the Indian went forth on the war-path. 
If the band was a small one, it lurked in the vicinity of the 
hostile villages until a still smaller number of the enemy 
could be caught at a distance from their friends. These 
were, if possible, shot down from an ambush (for under no 
circumstances will an Indian run any risk which it is possi- 
ble to avoid), their scalps were stripped off with eager 
haste, and the victors fled towards their homes at their 
utmost speed. 

If the whole nation turned out in arms, they might 



attempt the total destruction of their enemy ; but even then 
surprise was generally an essential element of success. 
Hurrying forward by unfrequented paths, or plunging 
through the trackless forest, guided only by the sun and 
the well-known courses of the streams, the little army 
reached the neighborhood of the foe. Carefully conceal- 
ing their approach, they waited an opportunity for attack, 
which was usually made at night. When their unsu.spect- 
ing victims were wrapped in slumber, the whole crowd of 
painted demons would burst in among them, using musket, 
knife, and tomahawk with furious zeal, and striking terror 
to every heart with the fiendish sound of war-whoops 
shiieked from a thousand throats. The torch was applied 
to the frail cabins of the unhappy people, and men, women 
and children were stricken down in indiscriminate slaughter 
by the lurid light of their blazing homes. 

When the first fury of savage hate had been satiated, 
prisoners were taken, but these were frequently destined 
to a fate far more terrible than the speedy death from which 
they had escaped. Bound with thongs and loaded with 
burdens, they were urged on with remorseless speed toward 
the home of their captors, and if, enfeebled by wounds or 
sickness, they lagged behind, the ready tomahawk put an 
end to their miseries. But if the prisoner, withstanding 
the h.irdships of the march, was brought alive to the wig- 
wams of the victors, and especially if he were a well-known 
warrior, human fancy never painted a more awful doom 
than that which awaited him, save where it has described 
the tortures of the damned in another world. 

As a sportive preliminary the victim was required to run 
the gauntlet, when a hundred malicious foes, both male 
and female, ranged on either side, flung stones, clubs, toma- 
hawks, and every other possible missile at his naked form, 
as he dashed with the energy of despair between their 
furious ranks. Then, unless he was saved by unexpected 
lenity, came the fiercer agony of the stake, prolonged some- 
times for hours and even for days, accompanied by all the 
refinements of torment which a baleful ingenuity could 
invent, yet .supported with unsurpassable fortitude by the 
victim, who often shrieked his defiant death-song even 
amid the last convulsions of his tortured frame. 

Yet women, children, and youths were frequently saved 
from this horrible fate to be adopted into the tribe of their 
captors, and even men sometimes shared the same lenity. 
What is remarkable is that as soon as it was decided thus 
to receive a captive into the ti-ibc, all appearances of hate 
seemed immediately to disappear ; the best of all the forest 
luxuries was placed before the honored guest, the costliest 
blankets were spread over his shoulders, and the softest 
couches of fur were spread for his wearied limbs. Either 
because the change was so great from the expected torture 
to the kindly adoption, or because the captors knew so well 
whom to choose as recipients of their indulgence, it was 
very seldom that the latter attempted to escape from their 
new alliances. Nay, even young white men and women, 
thus adopted into the ranks of the savages, frequently 
became so well satisfied with forest life as to resist every 
inducement afterwards offered them to return to their coun- 
trymen. 

Such were some of the salient characteristics of the 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICniGAN. 



15 



North American Indians, shared hy the Pottaicaitamies, 
the subject of these chapters. Those characteristics were 
common to the Alf/nnqniii and Iroqiuils races, the principal 
difference being in the greater intensity witli wliich they 
were manifested by the latter. The Shawnee was subtle in 
war ; the Iroquois was .still more so. The Ottawa was cold 
and haughty toward others, but he was met by still greater 
coldness and haughtiness on the part of the Iroquois. The 
I'uttaioatfamie, the confederate of the Ottaica, was brave 
and ferocious, but he was surpa.ssed both in bravery and 
ferocity by the terrible warriors of the Five Nations. 

In speaking of Indians the term '• nation" is generally 
used as synonymous with tribe, and to the civilized ear the 
word carries an idea of large numbers, confirmed by the 
immense range of Indian operations, and the terror which 
they inspired on the frontiers. Yet the celebrated Five 
Nations, in the height of their power, numbered altogether 
but two or three thousand warriors, the W^aiiJut branch 
of the Iroquois had about the same number, and the various 
tribes of Algonquin lineage were proportionally small. As 
near as can be ascertained, the I'oltawattamics at the begin- 
ning of the eighteenth century numbered about eight hun- 
dred warriors, including those of Illinois and Wisconsin. 
As has been said, they were linked in a loose confederacy 
with the more numerous Ottawas and Ghippewas, but the 
Poltuwattamies were the only tribe sufficiently connected 
with this county to make their acts a subject of interest in 
this work. The others will not be mentioned except when 
the story of their savage deeds is necessarily intermingled 
with the record of the J'ottaioattamies. To that record we 
now address ourselves. 

It was near the beginning of the eighteenth century that 
the Jesuits, who had obtained almost a monopoly of mission- 
ary work in French America, established the mission of St. 
Joseph at the mouth of the river of that name, and under 
the shadow of the little post maintained on the site selected 
by La Salle. In 1712, Father Marest describes the mission 
as being in a very flourishing condition. Whatever might 
have been the success of the holy fathers in the task of 
Christianizing the Indians there is no doubt that they ob- 
tained a great personal influence over them, which the 
priests uaturally used to cement their friendship for France. 
Numerous other influences were also brought to bear by the 
adroit managers who, in various capacities, represented the 
Gallic people on the upper lakes, and the friendship of the 
Pottdwattamics was thoroughly demonstrated in the year 
just named, 1712. 

In May of that year, a large body of Sacs, Foxes, and 
Mdscoutins, tribes of Algonquin lineage but at enmity 
with the other nations of that race (and supposed to be 
acting under the influence of the Iroquois, the inveterate 
foes of the French), suddenly appeared before Fort Pon- 
chartrain, threw up some rude breastworks, and attempted 
to destroy the post. On the thirteenth of the month a 
fierce assault was made, and, though not at first successful, 
it was maintained with such energy and by such numbers 
that the little gjirrison of twenty soldiers was placed in a 
situation of great danger. 

But while the wearied Frenchmen were husbanding their 
scanty resources in expectation of a still more deadly on- 



slaught, their ears were saluted by hundreds of savage war- 
whoops, and a large body of friendly Wyamlots, Ottawas, 
and Fottawatlamics burst from the forest, and flung them- 
selves impetuously upon the startled besiegers of the fort. 
The latter resisted to the best of their ability, and for a 
short time the battle-field resounded with the shouts of the 
contestants, the constant rattle of musketry, the groans of 
the wounded, and now and then with the terrific .scalp- 
halloo of some successful brave as lie tore the coveted 
trophy from the head of his victim. But, aided by the 
fire of the garrison, the rescuing party were soon completely 
successful, and the Sacs, Foxes, and Mnscoulins fled in 
utter rout through the forest. 

The vengeance of the victors, in accordance with Indian 
custom, was visited alike upon men, women, and children ; 
from eight hundred to a thousand of whom were slain. So 
great was the injury inflicted that the Fox nation was re- 
ported to bo completely destroyed. This was not the case, 
but it was compelled to flee to the west side of Lake Michi- 
gan, where it long remained, being distinguished by the 
peculiar bitterness borne by its members toward the French. 
On the other hand, the friendship thus cemented between 
the French and the Fottawatlamics, Ottaicas, and Wyan- 
dots endured through more than half a century of varied 
fortunes, and was scarcely severed when throughout Canada 
and the West the Gallic flag went down in hopeless defeat 
before the conquering English. 

During the thirty years following the event just men- 
tioned, there are but few and scanty records to show the 
acts of the Fottawattamies. They continued to cultivate 
their little patches of corn, and to hunt the deer through 
the forests of Southern Michigan and around the head of 
the lake of that name, generally exchanging their surplus 
furs with their friends, the French, for blankets, calicoes, 
gilt ornaments, guns, powder, and brandy. To the honor 
of the Jesuits, it should be said that they steadily opposed 
the sale of this last commodity to the Indians, braving the 
enmity of the most powerful officials in so doing. But 
although the Canadian voyageur or Indian trader was a 
good Catholic, who would regularly confess his sins and 
practice the severest penances imposed by his priests, yet 
even their potent influence was insufficient to keep him 
from grasping the enormous profits made by selling ardent 
spirits to the Indians. Civic functionaries, commandants 
of posts, and every one else who had the means, were 
alike eager to share these dubious gains, and all the tribes 
connected with the French, like those in communication 
with the English, became deeply infected with the liilul 
thirst for spirituous liquors, which has been the greatest 
bane of their race. 

But although the Pottawuttamies usually traded with 
the French, yet when the English opened a trading-house 
at Oswego, on Lake Ontario, in 1727, many of their num- 
ber, with other denizens of the upper-lake region, found 
their way thither with their furs, having discovered that 
the English gave much bettor bargains in the Indians' 
necessities of powder and whisky than did the French. It 
will be understood that there were no conmiission mer- 
chants in those days, by whom packages of beaver-skins 
and otter-skins could be sent to Oswego or Montreal for 



16 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



sale. Tlie adventurous Pottmoattamle hunter who wanted 
to drive a better bargain than ho could make at the fron- 
tier posts must launch his frail canoe, with its load of furs, 
on the waters of the St. Joseph or the Raisin, follow the 
tortuous course of tlie river to Lake IMichigan or Lake 
Erie, coast cautiously down those inland seas to the Ni- 
agara, carry his little vessel around the great cataract, 
launch it again upon the bosom of Ontario, and at length 
make his toilsome way to Oswego or Frontenac. Having 
made the customary exchange for powder, blankets, cali- 
coes, and brandy, he must return by the same route, not 
only braving the hardships of the voyage but the danger 
of ambush by the dreaded Iroquois; for though there were 
intervals of peace between the ■' fierce democracies" of the 
East and the West, yet there was always danger that some 
wandering band of warriors would seek vengeance for old 
but unforgotten injuries upon any less powerful squad 
whom fortune might throw in their path. 

The greater part of the Indian trade, however, was car- 
ried on by the French cuurenrs de hois, a wild and hardy 
race, who adopted, to a great extent, the Indian customs, 
formed Indian alliances of more or less permanence, and 
through whom the French influence was constantly ex- 
tended over the nations of Algonquin race. In 1736 the 
French local authorities reported to the home govern- 
ment that they exercised authority over a hundred and 
three tribes, numbering sixteen thousand warriors and 
eighty-two thousand souls. This authority was very vague 
and precarious, and might more properly have been de- 
scribed as influence ; and yet it was a very real assistance 
to the French in thiiir constant rivalry with the English. 

In 1744, after a thirty years' peace, war broke out be- 
tween those two great nations, and each at once summoned 
their Indian allies to the war-path. Far and wide, through 
Canada and the Great West, the French officials labored to 
stir up the passions of the Algonquin braves, while the 
English sought the aid of the Iroquois, much fewer in 
number, but more daring in spirit and more compact in 
organization. 

Bands of all the Northwestern tribes made fi-equent and 
most murderous assaults on the frontiers of Pennisylvania 
and Virginia, inflicting the most terrible cruelties upon the 
settlers, and Bufi"ering scarcely less in return, when they fell 
into the hands of the fierce borderers, who hated the red 
men as the Jews hated the heathen whose lands they had 
seized. Other bands made their way over the long course 
to Montreal, received full equipments there, and then, 
sometimes under their own chiefs, sometimes under French 
partisan ofiicers, went forth to harry the frontiers of New 
York and New England. 

In 1745, one of the numerous records made by the 
Canadian oSicials states that fifty " Poutewatamies," fifteen 
Fuans, and ten Illinois came to go to war. Another 
memorandum, dated August 22, the same year, mentions 
the arrival of thirty-eight Outawois (Ottawas) of Detroit, 
seventeen Sauternes, twenty-four Ilurons, and fourteen 
"Poutewatamies." The French records show the send- 
ing out of not less than twenty marauding expeditions 
against the colonists of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, 
and New York in one year, and chronicle their dismal re- 



turn with scalps and prisoners. The colonial governments 
did their best to retaliate in kind, but the small number of 
their only allies, the Iroquois, made it impracticable to 
equal the atrocities of the French. 

The war lasted four years, consisting principally of such 
predatory excursions, during which the French accounts 
make frequent mention of the "'■ Pouteicatamies" as active 
in gaining whatever glory could be reaped from those fero- 
cious achievements. The contest was closed, however, in 
1748, by the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, and again the Potta- 
wattamie braves were forced to content themselves with 
warfare with other tribes, save when occasionally a small 
band could make a stealthy foray against the settlers of 
Pennsylvania, which would be promptly disowned by the 
wily old sachems of the tribe, as the act of some " bad 
young men." 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE POTTAWATTAMIES— (Continued). 

The Crisis — Beginning of War — The Three Expeditions of 1755 — 
Braddock's Advance — Indians at Fort Duqueene — Beaujeu In- 
duces them to follow Him — Attack upon the British — Desperate 
Battle — The British routed — Fiendish Orgies — The Indians attack 
the Frontiers — Oth^r Indian Operations — Defeat of Grant — Poiia- 
tcattamiea at Fort Niagara — Their Defeat — Fall of Quebec — Rogers 
takes Possession of Detroit — Indian Dislike of the English — The 
Conspiracy of Pontiac — Number of the Pottawattamies — Pontiac's 
Schemes — His Treachery exposed — The Attack — The Siege — Cap- 
ture of Fort St. Joseph — The Pottnwattnmies make Peace — Battle 
of Bloody Run — Putfnicattamiet take Part — The British defeated 
— Putlawattttiiiies, etc., attack a Vessel — Indians off to Hunt — 
Pontiac withdraws — End of the Siege — Gen. Bradstreet comes up 
the Lakes with Army — General Submission of the Tribes — British 
Posts re-established — Sir William Johnson's Tactics with the Pot- 
tawattamies — An Indian Speech — Fate of Pontiac — The Revenge 
of the Northern Indians. 

The long and almost constant struggle between the 
French and English for the mastery of North America 
was rapidly approaching a crisis. The former, having se- 
cured an influence over the Indians throughout the West, 
and having established a line of forts and trading-posts by 
way of Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and the Mississippi 
River, were now anxious to crowd still more closely on the 
English, and to establish an interior line from Lake Erie 
to the forks of the Ohio (now Pittsburgh) and thence down 
the river to the Mississippi. The slower English colonists, 
absorbed with the work of chopping, and plowing, and build- 
ing houses, were yet determined to prevent a proceeding 
which would have brought a line of hostile posts almost to 
their doors. 

In 1754, Major George Washington, in command of a 
body of rangers who were guarding the frontiers of Vir- 
ginia, attacked and defeated a detachment of French and 
Indians who were apparently acting as spies upon him, thus 
beginning a war destined to convulse two continents, to 
expel the flag of France from the greater part of North 
America, and to pave the way for the American Revolution 
and American independence. Little more was done that 
year than to fight a few inconsequent skirmishes, and to 
terrify the frontier with a few savage deeds of blood. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



17 



But in 1755 desperate exertions wore made on botli 
sides to accomplish great results. The Eniilish planned to 
send three aruiies against three prominent French posts; 
one, under Gen. Johnson (afterwards Sir William John- 
son), against Crown Point, on Lake Champlain : one, 
under Gen. Shirley, against Fort Niagara, at the mouth 
of the Niagara River; and one, the most formidable of all, 
was to be led again.st Fort Dui|Uosne, at the forks of the 
Ohio, by Maj.-Gen. Edward Braddock, who was sent over 
to be commander-in-chief of all the British forces in 
America. The French, on the other hand, though com- 
paratively few in numbers, were more vigilant and active 
than their adversaries, and depended much on the aid they 
could obtain from the swarms of Indians in their interest, 
whom they made strenuous and quite successful efforts to 
attach to their standard. 

The expedition against Fort Niagara broke down before 
reaching that post. The one under Gen. Johnson, though 
it did not capture or even attack Crown Point, yet resulted 
in a decided victory over the combined French and Indian 
force under Baron Dieskau, on the shores of Lake George, 
in the northeastern part of New York. Considering the 
custom among the Western Indians of making their way in 
small bands to Montreal to take part in operations against 
the Knglisb, it is quite probable that some of our '^Poiile- 
wafanuW^ were actors under Dieskau in the battle of Lake 
George; but as it is not certain, and as their mode of ope- 
ration can be sufficiently understood by ob.serving their acts 
on a more celebrated field where they were un((uestionably 
present, we turn at once to the sadly-celebnited expedition 
under Gen. Braddock. 

It was early in June, 1755, that that brave, but conceited 
and thick-headed, commander led forth an army of some two 
thou.sand men from the frontiers of I'ennsylvania, and took 
the road toward Fort Duquesne. Small as that number 
may seem to the reader of this generation, Braddock com- 
manded one of the largest forces that had yet been assem- 
bled in North America, and high hopes were entertained of 
its achievements. It was mostly composed of British regu- 
lars, with a few Virginia and Pennsylvania riflemen, and as 
the scarlet columns strode proudly along the narrow forest 
pathway, their commander did not doubt for a moment that 
they would easily accomplish the task which had been al- 
lotted them. After a considerable part of the distance had 
been tr.ivelod, the general, by the advice of his aide-de-camp, 
Col. Washington, moved forward with twelve hundred men 
and some light artillery, leaving the rest of the army to fol- 
low at a slower pace. 

Meanwhile the alarmed French, unable to bring any con- 
siderable number of troops to Fort Duquesne, had strained 
every nerve to draw thither a sufficient force of Indians to 
repel the assailants. But though it was easy to persuade 
numerous savages to go forth in little bands against the hap- 
less colonists, it was far more difficult to concentrate a con- 
siderable force for the purpose of defending a fort against 
a British army. An Indian, as a rule, has a great aversion 
to facing a large, organized army, and an equally strong 
dislike of being shut up in a fort. According to Sargent's 
" History of Braddock's Expedition," — the best authority to 
be found on the subject, — there were six hundred and thirty- 



seven Indian warriors gathered at Fort Duquesne. These 
comprised Ahenakiii and Cuug1inaw<igiis, from Canada ; 
Shawnees, from Ohio ; Chippnvas, Oltaivas, and J'ulla- 
tvattamies, from Michigan; and some smaller bands, all 
friendly to the French, but all alarmed at the superior force 
of the English, as reported by their scouts. Besides these, 
there were seventy-two regular French soldiers and a hun- 
dred and forty-six Canadian militia, making a total, as near 
as can be ascertained, of eight hundred and fifty-five com- 
batants. 

The post was under the command of Capt. Contrecceur, 
of the French army. Knowing the superior force of 
Braddock, and the indisposition of the Indians to engage 
in a regular siege, Contreeueur was half disposed to abandon 
the po.st and descend the Ohio. But among the French 
officers was one who was thoroughly accustomed to forest 
warfare, and who posse.s.sed extraordinary influence over the 
Indians. This was Capt. Beaujeu, who, on learning of the 
near approach of Braddock, boldly proposed to lead forth 
the Indians and Canadians and endeavor to surprise or 
ambush the too-confident English. The commander re- 
luctantly gave his consent. 

Beaujeu then ha.stcned among his Indian friends. Call- 
ing together the chiefs, he flung down a tomahawk before 
them, harangued them in that Algonqnin tongue with 
which all their dialects were affiliated, and offered to lead 
them at once against the red-coats, who were coming to rob 
them of their lands. But all .shrank back from this daring 
proposal. Shawnees, 0/lawa.s, and I'vtlaiouttamics alike 
declined the challenge, declaring that the English were too 
strong for such an attempt. Again Beaujeu appealed to 
their friendship for the French, their hatred against the 
English, their pride in their own valor. But still in vain. 

" Does our father think we are fools," exclaimed the 
chiefs, " that we should go forth against the red soldiers, 
when they are more numerous than the leaves of the 
forest?" 

Yet onee more Beaujeu essayed the powers of his elo- 
quence. He painted more vividly than lieforc the steady 
encroachment of the English on the Indian lands, till every 
face was black with hatred ; depicted, with all the pathos he 
could command, the friendship which had always existed 
between the French and the tribes of Algonquin race ; 
pointed out the ea.se with which from behind trees and 
rocks they could shoot down the clumsy red-coats ; and 
dilated on the rieli harvest of booty and scalps they could 
gather, till the bolder chiefs clutched their tomahawks with 
a passion that could scarcely be restrained. Then Beaujeu 
capped the climax of his eloquence by exclaiming, — 

" I am determined to go to-morrow though not a chief 
dare follow me ! Will you allow your father to go alone 
against your enemies while you remain in safety here? ' 

This bold declaration turned the wavering balance in the 
minds of his savage hearers ; the bravest among them 
sprang forward, brandishing their tomahawks and asserting 
their readiness to follow their father Beaujeu wherever he 
might lead, and the contagion of generous rashness soon 
spread through all the crowd. In a few moments all were 
thronging around Beaujeu with shouts of defiance against 
the red-coats, and in a few more they were away among 



18 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



their followers, arousing their passions by the same arts 
which Beaujeu had employed upon themselves. Late that 
night the war-dance was danced in a score of Indian camps, 
and Pottawaltamies, Ottawas, Shawnecu, Delawares, Ahen- 
akis, worked themselves into a frenzy of valor by their own 
shrieks, contortions, and harangues. 

The next morning, the fatal 9th of July, the scouts 
brought in the news that Braddock's army was on the 
move, and was crossing the Monongahela from the eastern 
to the western side, some twelve or fourteen miles from the 
fort. Shawiiees, Pvltnwattamies, Abenaki's, and all their 
brethren were soon astir, the scenes of the previous night 
were reenacted, and the warriors, while making their few 
preparations, aroused each other's enthusiasm with shrieks, 
and shouts, and brandishing of tomahawks, and impromptu 
frasrments of the war-dance, and brief rehearsals of their 
valorous deeds on former occasions. Coutrecoeur ordered 
kegs of bullets and gunpowder to be broken open and placed 
at the gate of the fort, so that all the Indians might help 
themselves. Thus amply furnished with ammunition, naked 
save the breech-clout and a long line of braided deer-hide 
wound around the waist, to which was suspended tomahawk, 
scalping-knife, powder-horn, and bullet-pouch, the yelling 
bands hurried off into the forest. 

The hundred or more warriors of each tribe were under 
their own chief, nor does there seem to have been any unity 
of action among them, save through the partial obedience 
which they voluntarily yielded to Coutrecoeur and Beaujeu. 
Tradition indeed asserts that the Ottawas were led by the 
great chieftain whose name was in a few years to become a 
terror along a thousand miles of English frontier, the re- 
nowned Pontiac, and if so it is quite passible that the Chip- 
pewas and Pottawattumies (who, as before stated, were 
loosely leagued in a warlike confederacy with the Ottawas) 
might have followed the same daring leader. There is, 
however, little evidence to support the tradition, and, unless 
influenced by the renown of some very distinguished chief, 
the warriors of each tribe usually acted by themselves, and 
sometimes divided into still smaller bands. 

When Beaujeu had superintended the fitting out of his 
Indians, he set forth himself with about two hundred white 
men, three-fourths Canadian militia and hunters, and the 
remainder French regulars, but regulars who had served 
long in America, and were well versed in the wiles of forest 
warfare. Coutrecoeur was left almost alone in the fort. 
Though the Indians had started first they were not disposed 
to get ahead of their father, Beaujeu, and they speedily 
arranged themselves in irregular order on either side of the 
narrow road along which marched the little column of 
French and Canadians. As they neared the foe the yells 
with which they had excited each other's valor sank into 
silence, for the Indian invariably seeks the advantage of 
surprise. The second in command under Beaujeu was 
Lieutenant Dumas, and another partisan officer was Charles 
de Langlade, afterwards a resident of Green Bay, and by 
some considered the principal pioneer of Wisconsin. He 
was especially distinguished for his influence over the 
Ottawas, Pottawaltamies, and other Indians of the upper 
lakes. 

Beaujeu knew that about nine miles from Fort Duqucsne 



the road coming from the south, after again crossing the 
Monongahela to the east side (on which the fort was situ- 
ated), wound upward to the heights above the stream, be- 
tween gloomy ravines with precipitous sides, such as are often 
seen in America, where tall trees growing at the bottom rise 
beside the almost perpendicular walls, their foliage mingling 
with the undergrowth at the top, thus concealing the abyss 
from the eyes of all but the most observant woodsmen. It 
is supposed that he intended to place his men in ambush in 
these ravines and fire on the unsuspecting battalions of Brad- 
dock after they had partially marched through the defile. 
He hurried forward at great speed, but the preparations had 
taken up so much time that, if such was his intention, he 
was a little too late to carry it fully into effect. As he and 
his foremost men reached the isthmus between the two 
ravines, a little after noon, the vanguard of the British 
army came into view only a few rods distant. The biog- 
rapher of De Langlade declares that, on discovering this 
fact, Beaujeu was unwilling to make an attack, and that 
the former was obliged to ply him with argument and en- 
treaties for severul minutes before he would consent to go 
forward. Be that as it may, the order was soon given, and 
French, Canadians, and Indians plunged forward at full 
speed. 

One of the English perceived Beaujeu, clad in border- 
fashion in a fringed hunting-shirt, springing forward with 
long bounds, closely followed by his Canadians, while the 
dark forms of the Indians could barely be seen on cither 
side gliding at equal speed through the forest. Almost at 
the same moment the French leader halted and waved his 
hat. The Canadians formed an irregular line across the 
road, and began firing briskly on those British who were in 
sight, while the Indians, once more raising the war-whoop, 
sprang into the ravines on either side, and plied their musk- 
ets with equal vigor. 

A detachment of grenadiers, under Lieut.-Col. Thomas 
Gage (afterwards the celebrated Gen. Gage, commanding 
the British troops at Boston at the beginning of the Revo- 
lution), formed the principal part of the vanguard. They 
returned the fire of the Canadians, and one of the first 
shots killed Capt. Beaujeu, on whom the whole enterprise 
seemed to depend. His men were in truth greatly dis- 
couraged, and when some artillery, brought forward by 
Braddock, made the hills and forests re-echo with its tre- 
mendous volleys, the Indians (who are usually very timor- 
ous about facing the big guns) were on the point of fleeing. 
But Dumas, the second in command, quickly rallied his 
men after the fall of Beaujeu, and the Indians soon dis- 
covered that they were almost completely screened from 
artillery fire by their position in the ravines. 

They could establish themselves close to the top, clinging 
to the bushes and small trees, and, barely lifting their fierce 
faces above the level, could fire, in almost complete security, 
at the red battalions which crowded the road a few rods 
away, while the great cannon-balls crashed above them, cut- 
ting the limbs from hundreds of trees, but hardly slaying a 
single warrior. The artillerists were shot down at their 
guns, and the infantry fell by the score. They were ex- 
tremely frightened by seeing that the fire, as was said, 
" came out of the ground at their feet," and huddled to- 



HISTORy OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



19 



getlier in crowds, firing their muskets in the air, and offer- 
ing the best possible mark for their unseen foes. The 
Indians soon saw the dismay they were causing, and their 
own courage became proportionately inflated. They spread 
themselves down the ravines, enveloping the column in a 
murderous line of fire on both sides, while themselves sel- 
dom exposing more than a head or an arm. 

In vain the British officers, with unijuestioned bravery, 
endeavored to encourage their terrified soldiers ; in vain 
Braddock himself rushed into the thickest of the fire, where 
five horses were successively shot under him as he tried to 
form his men in the prim array suited to European warfare ; 
in vain young Col. Washington rode to and fro, seconding 
the efforts of his chief with far more wisdom, having like- 
wise two horses killed under him and his clothes riddled 
■with bullets ; in vain the three companies of Virginia rifle- 
men, preserving something like composure amid the terrific 
scene, fought in Indian style from behind the trees; neither 
valiant example, nor military authority, nor the hope of self- 
preservation could inspire with courage that demoralized 
throng. 

When it has been impracticable to tight Indians in their 
own fashion, good commanders have sometimes driven 
them from their coverts with the bayonet, as the red men 
generally have a wholesome horror of cold steel. Both 
Wayne at the Miami and Harrison at Tippecanoe pursued 
these tactics with great success. But either Braddock did 
not think of this or his men would not go forward, and the 
Indians continued to maintain their strong position in the 
ravines. 

At length, after three hours' fighting, after the general 
had been mortally wounded and borne from the field, after 
Gage and Gates (the future conqueror of Saratoga) had 
also been severely wounded, after sixty-three officers out of 
eighty-six, and over seven hundred men out of twelve 
hundred, had been killed or wounded, the remainder fled 
in a rabble rout across the Monongahela, hastened on for 
several days till they met the rear-guard, and in company 
with them pursued their course till they reached a safe 
retreat in Philadelphia. 

The French and Indians, who had suffered some loss, 
though it was trifling compared with that of their oppo- 
nents, only pursued their defeated foes to the river, and 
then spread themselves over the field to seek for booty and 
scalps. The Indians fairly went crazy with their fiendish 
joy. A colonial prisoner previously captured, and held at 
Fort Duquesne, described them as rivaling Pandemonium 
itself on their return to that fortress at night. Hardly a 
warrior but had one or more scalps to adorn his girdle. 
Most of them had secured articles of clothing or other 
plunder from the dead or prisoners. All were covered with 
the blood of their unfortunate victims, and all were shriek- 
ing, whooping, leaping up and down, and brandishing their 
weapons in a perfect delirium of triumph. 

Here might be seen a stalwart Ollaioa, naked as he went 
forth in the morning, save that upon his head was placed 
the plumed hat of a British officer; there strode a haughty 
Puttawaltamie, a red coat, dyed a deeper crimson by the 
blood of its late owner, buttoned across his brawny breast, 
a gold watch clutched in his hand to be gazed at with ad- 



miring but half-suspicious eyes, while two or three fair- 
haired scalps, suspended from the ramrod of his rifle, gave 
fearful evidence of the sorrow which that day had caused 
in far-off English homes. The glorious tragedy of battle 
never had a more hideous afterpiece of mingled folly and 
horror than was presented around Fort Duquesne at sunset 
OD the 9th of July, 1755. Few prisoners were taken, and 
most of these suffered the awful, the almost indescribable, 
death at the stake, which Indian vengeance prescribes for 
their defeated foes. 

The defeat of Braddock, and consequent retreat of the 
whole army, unloosed the passions and dispelled tlie fears 
of all the Western Indians, — even of those who had not 
before taken up arms for the French, — and thousands of 
tomahawks were gra.sped in the hope of burying them in 
the brains of the hated Engli.sh colonists, — a hope, alas, 
too often fulfilled by the terrible reality. These predatory 
excursions constituted the principal part of the warfare 
waged by the Western Indians during the two succeeding 
years. A few Foltawaltamics probably found their way to 
the armies of the Mar(|uis de Montcalm, taking part with 
him in the capture of Oswego, in 1756, and in that of 
Fort William Henry and subsequent ma.ssacre, in 1757 ; 
but their numbers were so scant, and the part they played 
so unimportant, that it is needless to refer to it further 
here. 

In 1758, the I'oltaioaUtamies, '^\i\\ the other Western 
Indians, were again summoned to the defense of Fort Du- 
qClesne, then threatened by the army of Gen. Forbes. Less 
than a thousand warriors assembled there ; for while a single 
Indian tribe could keep a thousand miles of frontier in ter- 
ror, yet, owing to its .small numbers and its extremely dem- 
ocratic organization, it could not, or would not, furnish any 
large number of men for protracted military operations. 
They could hardly expect to repeat the surprise which de- 
stroyed Braddock, and the French commander was fully 
prepared to retreat if necessary ; yet, nevertheless, they 
did succeed in inflicting destruction on a considerable por- 
tion of the invading army. 

Maj. Grant, with a battalion of regulars, was sent for- 
ward by Gen. Forbes to reconnoitre, and to hold a safe 
position not far from Fort Duquesne. The major seems 
to have imbibed the idea that he could capture the fort 
without assistance, and carry off the honors alone. He 
accordingly marched up to within a very short distance of 
the French stronghold. Perhaps his desire was to tempt 
the enemy from his fastness ; if so, he was only too suc- 
cessful. 

Suddenly the whole crowd of Otlatcas, Pottawattamiei, 
Shawnees, Delawares, etc., poured yelling from the fortress, 
supported by the few French and Canadian soldiers present. 
Hurrying forward, they flung themselves impetuously upon 
the startled Britons, and succeeded in breaking their ranks. 
Then swiftly succeeded the scenes of confusion and panic 
so common when regular soldiers, under an incompetent 
commander, heard the terrible war-whoop sounding in their 
ears, and saw the forest fla.shing fire in every direction, 
while scarcely a single enemy appeared. Maj. Gram's force 
was cut off almost to a man, and once more the forest war- 
riors indulged in a carnival of malignant joy. 



20 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



But Gen. Forbes was too cautious to be surprised, and 
his force was too strong to be withstood, and when lie ap- 
proached the fortress, previously so fiercely defended, the 
French and their Indian allies reluctantly retreated to their 
fastnesses still deeper in the forest. 

The next year, 1759, came the great and practically the 
final struggle between the French and PjUglish in North 
America. Charles de Langlade, the partisan commander 
before mentioned, was with Montcalm at Quebec, with a 
body of Indians from the lake region, among whom were 
doubtless a band of Pottawattamie warriors, as that tribe 
was represented at almost every point where there was any 
fighting going on. The red men took an active part in 
some of the preliminary struggles around Quebec, but 
when the audacity and good fortune of Wolfe had placed 
the English on the open field of the Plains of Abraham 
there was no chance for Indian tactics, and even the French 
and Canadian levies were driven back in utter rout before 
the lead and steel of the British grenadiers. 

A few weeks before the fall of Quebec a well-appointed 
Anglo-American force, accompanied by a large body of Iro- 
quois warriors, appeared before Fort Niagara, one of the 
strongest of the French fortresses, and considered the key 
of the whole Western country. Its commander called on 
his brethren for relief, and they responded promptly to his 
appeal. D'Aubry, the senior ofiBcer in the West, was at 
Venango, now in the State of Pennsylvania. With des- 
perate energy he called together every man he could mus- 
ter from Le Boeuf, Presque Isle, Detroit, and other French 
posts on and near Lake Erie. The Western Indians had 
been in the habit of making these posts their headquarters, 
but since the fall of Fort Duquesne they had been less en- 
thusiastic in their devotion to French interests. 

Nevertheless, by using all his efibrts, D'Aubry succeeded 
in gathering some six hundred of the Shawnees, 3Iiamis, 
Fottawattamies, etc., who had so often danced the war- 
dance and brandished the tomahawk in behalf of France. 
With these were joined near a thousand French and Cana- 
dian soldiers, hastily gathered for a final struggle in defense 
of French supremacy in the West. 

It was in the latter part of July that this motley band, 
in Indian canoes and French bateaux, coasted along the 
southern shore of Lake Erie, passed on down the Niagara, 
landed above the great cataract, and marched down to 
relieve the fort. But Sir William Johnson, who had be- 
come the commander of the besieging force, was not at all 
inclined to suffer the fate of Braddock. Well-apprised of 
the approach of his foe, he left a sufficient number to guard 
the trenches and marched forth to meet him. Soon the 
two armies were engaged in deadly conflict. 

Seldom has a battle been fought with more picturesque 
surroundings, or under more romantic circumstances. Beside 
the field of combat, but a hundred feet below, the mighty 
Niagara rolled through its darksome gorge, while scarcely 
out of hearing, to the .southward, thundered the avalanche 
of waters which has made Niagara renowned throughout 
the world. There was everything to nerve the combatants 
on both sides to the most desperate struggle. The fate of 
Canada was still hanging in the balance, but few could doubt 
that if this stronghold should fall into the hands of the Eng- 



lish they would be able to control the upper lake country, 
whatever might become of the valley of the St. Lawrence. 

On either side were regular soldiers of the two greatest 
nations of the world, colonial levies of rude appearance, but 
skilled in all the mysteries of forest warfare, and naked 
Indians ready to split open each other's heads for the benefit 
of the European intruders. Here, while Englishmen were 
crossing bayonets with Frenchmen, and Canadians and New 
Yorkers were aiming their fatal weapons at each other's 
breasts, Shawnees and Mohawks were also to be seen en- 
gaged in deadly conflict, the Onondaga fought hand to hand 
with the Ottawa, and the tomahawk of the brawny Potta- 
wattamie from the banks of the St. Joseph beat down the 
knife of the scowling Cayuga from the shores of the pel- 
lucid lake which still perpetuates his memory. 

The contest was brief and decisive. The French and 
their red allies were utterly defeated, and chased for several 
miles through the woods ; their commander was wounded 
and taken prisoner, and a large portion of the whole force 
was either slain or captured. The fall of Fort Niagara 
speedily followed. The Indians who escaped returned in 
sorrow to their wigwams in the wilds of Ohio and Michigan, 
and gloomily awaited the result. 

The next year the final blows were struck. Three armies 
were concentrated on Montreal, and the Marquis de Vau- 
dreuil, the governor-general of Canada, surrendered that 
province and all its dependencies to the English, including 
all the posts on the upper lakes and in the surrounding 
country. This was the formal act which made Michigan 
a British territory, though the cause of the transfer is to be 
sought where Wolfe snatched victory from the grasp of 
death, on the Plains of Abraham. 

Maj. Robert Rogers, a celebrated New Hampshire parti- 
san, was selected by the British general to lead a body of 
his rangers to take possession of Detroit, the same au- 
tumn. Arrived at that post, he found a band of Potta- 
toattamies just below the fort on the western side of the 
river, while the villages of the Wyandots were to be seen 
opposite, and those of the Ottawas farther up, on what is 
now the American side. The fort was surrendered on 
presentation of a letter from the governor-general announ- 
cing the capitulation. All the warriors hailed the descent 
of the French flag with yells which might have been in- 
spired by anger, but were quite likely to have indicated 
only excitement over the change. 

The next year (1761), the posts at Michillimacinac, Saut 
Sainte Marie, Green Bay, and St. Joseph (where the St. 
Joseph River enters Lake Michigan) were also surrendered 
to the English. This practically consummated the transfer 
of Michigan to British rule. 

But the Indians of that territory were from the first ex- 
tremely restive at the presence of the English, and even 
the Iroquois began to think, when too late, that it would 
have been better to aid the French, and thus balance the 
greater power of the English. In July, 1761, a council 
was held near Detroit, at which the chiefs of the Ottawas, 
Ckippewas, Wyandots, and Pottawattamies met with dele- 
gates from the Six Nations, or at least a part of them, and 
at which it was half agreed to endeavor to surprise Detroit, 
Fort Pitt, and all the other posts. The plot was discovered, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



21 



however, before any conclusion was rcacliod. It was ex- 
plained away as well as possible by the Indians, and tlie 
English paid very little attention to it. 

The ill-will among the Indians still continued. The 
change was great from the subtle coniplaisanee of the 
French, who veiled even acts of aggression with plausible 
pretexts and flattering words, to the bluff and contemptuous 
bearing of the English, who offended even when granting a 
favor. The French traders, voyagenrx, and coioritrs de Lois, 
who feared the rivalry of the English in their occupations, 
fanned the rising hatred of the red men by a thousand wild 
stories regarding the inteution of the British to destroy 
them, and the certainty that the French king would again 
send an army to drive out the intruders. 

It was at this time that the celebrated Ottaica chief, 
Pontiac, conceived the idea of the great conspiracy with 
which his name has been permanently associated by the 
genius of Parkman, and in which the Futtawattamie tribe 
bore a prominent part. Near the close of 17G2, he sent 
amba.ssadors among all the tribes, from the great lakes to 
the far south, to rouse them to united action against the 
English. But again the British got an inkling of the de- 
sign, and the plot was postponed. 

In February, 1763, a treaty of peace was finally signed 
between Great Britain and Franco, the latter confirming the 
transfer to England of Cauada, including Michigan and the 
Northwest, which had already been brought about by the 
force of arms. The news of this event, however, did not 
reach Detroit until the following summer. By the opening 
of spring, Pontiac had nearly perfected his arrangements. 
The tribes of Indians living eastward, at a given time, were 
to assail all the posts from the head of Lake Erie to Fort 
Niagara; the Chippewas were to carry Michillimacinac and 
Saut Sainte Marie, while Pontiac reserved to himself, with 
his Ottaicas and Fottawattamies, the attack upon Detroit. 
To the Pottawattamies was also assigned the capture of 
Fort St. Joseph. 

Sir William Johnson, who about this period made a 
careful estimate of the numbers of all the tribes of the 
north, fixed the number of Pottaicattamie warriors in 
Michigan at three hundred and fifty, one hundred and fifty 
being temporarily located at Detroit and two hundred being 
in the St. Joseph Valley. It is probable, however, that the 
number of the latter portion was somewhat larger, as Sir 
William had no chance to examine them, and the maps of 
the period show the valley to have been the principal home 
of the tribe. Doubtless it seems as if three hundred and 
fifty warriors or even three times as many were a very 
small number to write a lung chapter about, yet a few hun- 
dred Indians can make a terrible commotion. The Mohawlcs, 
one of the most warlike of the Six Nations, of whom the 
celebrated Brant was the chief, had no more, and that whole 
remarkable confederacy, the renown of which filled two 
continents, could muster but two thousand fighting men. 
And at the very time of which we are writing, the deeds of 
those few hundred Put I await amies, and of three or ibur 
other tribes scarcely stronger than themselves, were destined 
to terrify half the people of North America, and to startle 
the ministry of triumphant Britain with portents of incal- 
culable disaster. 



On the 27th of May, 1763, a council of Oitawas, Potta- 
wattamies, and W>/(iii<l<its, the nucleus of the conspiring 
league, was held at the River Ecorces, near Detroit, at which 
Pontiac, with his wild eloquence, fired the hearts of his 
hearers, and prepared tlieni for the deadly work before them. 
It was arranged that on the 2d of May he should gain ad- 
mittance to the fort with a party of warriors, on pretense 
of dancing the calumet dunce, should carefully observe its 
strength, and call another council to make final preparations. 
This was accordingly done without exciting suspicion. A 
few days later Pontiac called the chiefs to another meeting 
in a large bark council-house, in the Pottaicattamie village. 
Here, after again exciting their passions by a fervid recital 
of their wrongs, he proposed that on the seventh of that 
month he and the principal chiefs would gain admittance 
to the fort on pretense of holding a council with the com- 
mandant, all apparently unarmed, but all with weapons con- 
cealed under their blankets. At a given motion of the 
great chief, the officers as.sembled at the council were to be 
butchered, and the scalp-yells of the victors were to be the 
signal for a united attack by a host of warriors outside on 
the surprised and leaderiess garrison. The plan was eagerly 
adopted by the chiefs. 

At this time Detroit was defended by a hundred and 
twenty soldiers under Major Gladwyn, of the British army. 
There were also some employees, both English and French, 
within the fort. Outside, on both sides of the Detroit 
River, were several hundred families of French Canadians, 
who lived partly by agriculture, and partly by hunting, 
trapping, and trading with the Indians. They were on ex- 
cellent terms with Pontiac and his warriors, and probably 
many of them wore quite willing that the hated English 
should be destroyed, no matter by what means. Yet they 
were not foolish enough to suppose that two or three thou- 
sand Indians could destroy the British power in North 
America, and were not at all disposed to subject themselves 
to a terrible retribution by aiding the conspirators. 

Some of them, who were friendly to the English, saw 
that something unusual was going on among the warriors, 
and warned Maj. Gladwyn that there was danger in the 
air, but he, with the usual British-oflScer mixture of cour- 
age and dullness, paid no attention to their suggestions. 
Yet somehow, on the eve of the attack, he did receive a 
warning which he heeded. A score of different stories are 
preserved by tradition regarding the source of the informa- 
tion ; stories which only agree in declaring that the jilot. 
was betrayed by one of the Indians or squaws, probably 
one of the latter. The common account, probably adopted 
only because it has a spice of romance in it, is that in the 
Pottawattamie village dwelt an Ojihwa damsel who had 
become the mistress of Gladwyn. The day before the in- 
tended massacre slie sought an audience of her lover, and 
informed him of the whole plot in language so simple and 
earnest that he could not but believe it. 

The next day, the 7th of May, sixty stalwart chieftains, 
Ottawas, Pottawattamies, and Wi/aiidots, with the grim 
Pontiac at their head, marched in " Indian file" into the 
fort, to hold a council with their white father. Besides 
these, some two hundred and fifty other warriors had gained 
admittance on various pretexts, for Gladwyn, with bravery 



22 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



amounting to rashness, had allowed all to enter. But as 
Pontiac passed through the gate he saw the whole garrison 
as well as the employees of the fur-traders under arms, and 
knew that so far as a surprise was concerned his plot had 
failed. His warriors were all armed with knives and toma- 
hawks, and many of them had guns which had been filed 
oif short, hidden under their blankets. Had they boldly 
attacked the garrison and been assisted by their comrades 
outside, they might very probably have succeeded in their 
attempt. But the Indian, though brave enough in his own 
way, will seldom engage in a square fight with the Cauca- 
sian unless he has a great advantage in numbers. 

Pontiac and his chiefs held the proposed council with 
Gladwyn and his ofiicers, but he made no signal and all 
passed off (juietly. A dramatic account has frequently been 
published stating how, as Pontiac was raising his belt of 
wampum to give the fatal signal, Maj. Gladwyn anticipated 
him, when '' the drums at the door of the council-house 
rolled to the charge, the guards presented their pieces, and 
the British ofiicers drew their swords from the scabbards," 
and how the major immediately stepped forward, drew aside 
tlie chieftain's blanket, and disclosed the shortened musket 
beneath. But Gladwyu's letter, published by Parkman, 
declares distinctly that he did not intimate his suspicions 
of their intentions, and apparently negatives even the at- 
tempted signal and the rolling of the drums ; it certainly 
negatives the traditional uncovering of the shortened mus- 
kets. 

The Indians retired but did not yet throw off the mask. 
The next day, after another attempt to lull the suspicions 
of the British, Pontiac spent the afternoon in the Potta- 
wattamie village consulting with the chiefs. 

On the ninth Pontiac made still another request for ad- 
mission with a large band, but Maj. Gladwyn refused 
entrance to any but the chief himself Then at last the 
latter unloosed the rage of his followers, which he had held 
60 long in the lea.sh. With fiendish yells they threw them- 
selves upon a few wretched English who lived outside the 
Walls, and the waving of the scalps of these unfortunates 
constituted their ghastly declaration of war. The Ottaioa 
village was quickly moved to the west side of the river, and 
the same night a band of Ojibwas came down from Lake 
Huron. 

At dawn, the morning of the tenth of May, the attack 
began. At the pealing of the war-whoop on every side the 
soldiers rushed to their posts. "And truly," says Park- 
man, " it was time ; for not the Ottnwas alone but the 
whole barbarian swarm — Wyandots, Pottawattamies, and 
Ojibwas — were upon them, and bullets rapped hard and 
fast against the palisades." Yet, though their numbers 
were estimated at from one to two thousand, they did not 
attempt to charge the walls, but with the usual Indian 
strategy sheltered themselves behind barns, outhouses, and 
bushes, keeping up an incessant fire at the loop-holes of the 
fort. The conflict was maintained for half the day, when 
the baflled savages gradually retired, neither side having 
suff'ered heavy loss. The attack had failed, and those who 
knew the Indian character might naturally expect that, 
having been repulsed on their first spring, they would soon 
sliiik away into the woods. It was a remarkable evidence 



of the command obtained by Pontiac over these wild war- 
riors, that he was able to retain them as long as he did 
in the uncongenial duties of a siege. 

But Pontiac, unused as he was to regular operations, had 
conceived the idea of starving out the garrison, and indeed 
there was considerable danger that he would do so. The 
supply of provisions was small, the French inhabitants were 
unwilling to brave the wrath of the savages, and, though 
communication with the East was open by the river and 
lake, the chances of receiving succor in time was very dis- 
couraging. Pontiac made such arrangements as his crude 
ideas of war suggested. He placed a band of Pottawatta- 
mies along the river below the fort to cut ofi' any who might 
approach, while another band of the same tribe was con- 
cealed near the fort to shoot any one who might be seen. 
After another long fusillade, Pontiac sent a Canadian to 
demand a surrender of the post, which was promptly re- 
fused. 

For over a month the siege was closely continued, the 
Indians preventing every one from going out, but seldom 
coming within gun-shot of the walls. There were two 
small English vessels in the river, and the garrison might 
easily have escaped, as indeed some of the officers thought 
was best, but Gladwyn peremptorily declined. Their scanty 
supplies were eked out by those surreptitiously brought 
across the river by the Canadians, and as long as this was 
the case the soldiers could hope to hold out till Sir Jeflfrey 
Amherst could send relief, in response to the message which 
Gladwyn had managed to dispatch as early as the 14th of 
May. 

In fact one detachment had left Fort Niagara on the 13th 
with supplies for Detroit, but this was cut ofi' on the way, 
and when the soldiers crowded to the river-side to welcome 
a long line of boats, which they saw approaching under the 
English flag, they were inexpressibly disappointed to find 
them filled only with naked savages and their unfortunate 
captives. News of disaster now came thick and fast. 
One after another the garrison learned of the capture of 
the various little posts transferred to the English by the 
French, and the slaughter or captivity of their defenders. 
Of the twelve posts attacked during the wide-spread " Con- 
spiracy of Pontiac," all fell into the hands of the savages, 
save Detroit, Fort Pitt, and Fort Niagara. 

Only one of these was especially connected with the 
history of the tribe of which we are writing. This was 
Fort St. Joseph, near the mouth of St. Joseph River, 
where La Salle had established a trading-post over eighty 
years before. It had in time become a French military 
post and the seat of a small but thriving colony of Cana- 
dian fur-traders and voyageurs. After the surrender to 
the English the latter also maintained a post there, de- 
signed to curb to some extent the neighboring Pottawatta- 
mies, and to furnish a convenient nucleus for the fur-trade. 
In the spring of 1763 it was garrisoned by Ensign Schlos- 
ser, with fourteen men, who seem to have had no appre- 
hension of danger. 

On the 25th of May the ensign was told by some of the 
Indians that a party of Pottawattamies had come from 
Detroit on a visit. Soon after, a few braves, headed by a 
chief named Washaste, came in, apparently for friendly 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



23 



purposes. Then a Canadian informed Solilosser that the 
savages, who were thronginj; around and into the post, were 
manifesting every indication of hostility. The unwary offi- 
cer left his apartment, and found both the parade and bar- 
racks thronged with insolent savages and doubtful Cana- 
dians. While he was endeavoring to got both English and 
Canadians into some kind of order, a yell was raised, tlie 
sentinel was tomahawked, the Piiltdiciitlmniis on the out- 
side rushed in, and in less than two minutes, as the officer 
afterwards declared, all the soldiers were butchered and 
scalped save himself and tliree others, who were seized 
and bound hand and foot. 

As in numerous other cases, the French were unharmed, 
showing that the rage of the savage was not directed 
indiscriminately against the whites, but was only aroused 
against the haughty English. Two or three English traders 
who were present were sheltered by French friends till the 
first fur}' wa.s over, but could not avoid being taken prison- 
ers by the Indians. A band of I'of/aicatt(tmies then went 
to join their brethren at Detroit, taking with them the un- 
lucky ensign and his three comrades. Fortunately for them, 
several Po/taicallnmics had been imprisoned in the fort 
before the outbreak for some offiiuse, and were still held. 
For these the Indians exchanged the prisoners they had 
brought from St. Joseph, — one of the very few instances 
with which we have met of the red men exchanging pris- 
oners. Generally they are too anxious to burn them to 
suffer any sympathy for their own friends to interfere. 

To return to the siege of Detroit. About the 20th of 
June one of the schooners before mentioned, which had 
gone up Lake Erie to obtain aid, returned with about sixty 
men and a .supply of ammunition and provision. She also 
brought the news of peace and the cession of Canada to 
England. This, however, was discredited not only by Pon- 
tiac, but by many of the Canadians, who could not bear the 
idea of passing permanently under English rule, and who 
told the Indians that even then two great French armies 
were coming up the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi. 

The siege progressed with a constant succession of excit- 
ing incidents, though the Indians avoided an attack, and of 
course knew nothing of making approaches by intrenchments 
and parallels. They made many efforts to destroy the garri- 
son by surprise or to fire the schooners on which Gladwyn 
depended for communication with the outer world, but 
without success. 

About the middle of July the Wyuiu/ols and I'ottawalla- 
mtes sent deputations to Maj. Gladwyn beguing for peace, 
either from lack of zeal or, as is quite likely, from motives 
of treachery. The major acceded to the proposal of the 
Wyandots, but when the Pottawaltamu-s came they insisted 
that some of their people imprisoned in the fort .should firat 
be given up. Gladwyn, on the other hand, demanded the 
English captives in possession of that tribe. 

The J'oltawdllamiis brought three prisoners, but were 
peremptorily sent back for more whom they were known to 
have ; then they brought six. The treaty was about to be 
concluded when one of the six told Gladwyn that there 
were still others detained in the camp of the I'litlmcatta- 
inlvs, and the deputation was again turned away. They 
were furious with rage, and hastily consulting together in 



their own tongue, determined to kill the commander and 
then make their escape if pos.sible. But at that instant 
Gladwyn discovered an Ollaicu among them, and called 
some of the guard into the council-house to arrest him. 
The Pottdicdltamies then sullenly withdrew. Yet in a day 
or two they returned with the other captives, when their 
own friends were freed and a treaty of peace was made. 

It is evident that either Pontiac's power was waning, or 
that the whole proceeding was a r»se, which from subse- 
quent events seems quite probable. 

On the morning of the 20lh of July, twenty-two barges 
bearing two hundred and sixty regulars, twenty independ- 
ent rangers, several small cannon, and fresh supplies of 
provisions and anininnition, came up the river. These 
were under Capt. Dalzell, an officer of the British army, 
but one who had had considerable experience in Indian 
fighting, having been present with Rogers and Putnam in 
some of their most desperate conflicts. The rangers were 
commanded by the redoubtable JIajor Rogers himself, 
whose eagerness for battle and glory had sent him to the 
front with his little squad of followers. As the convoy 
came opposite to the villages of Wymidots and Poltnioatta- 
mies, lying respectively on the east and west banks of the 
river, these treacherous enemies, in spite of their recent 
treaty of peace, opened fire on the barges from Vjoth s.horcs 
at once. The soldiers replied with their swivels and mu.s- 
kets, but ei'e they gained the shelter of the fort fifteen of 
their nundser were killed and wounded. 

We are afraid, in view of such facts as these, it will be 
impossible to say anytliing in favor of the chivalry or honor 
of our Pottiiwalldinies, who, in fact, like nearly all the rest 
of the " noble red men' of whom we have any account, 
never liesitated at the blackest treachery when necessary to 
accomplish their object. Not but what they could be true 
to those they considered their friends, as they were to the 
French during nearly a century of varied fortunes. But 
when they had once made up their minds that any people 
were their enemies, they hesitated at no deception and no 
cruelty in order to accomplish their ruin. Treaties and 
pledges were but as straw before the fire of their hatred. 

Immediately after his arrival Dalzell retjuested permis- 
sion to attack Pontiac in his camp, which Gladwyn reluc- 
tantly granted. It was a presumptuous request, as Dalzell 
knew nothing of the ground, and his commander was 
greatly to blame for granting it, for that reason. Neverthe- 
less, at two o'clock on the morning of the 1st of August, 
Dalzell and two liundred and fifty men marched up the 
river-road toward Pontiac's aimp, then situated several 
miles up the stream. But some of the Canadians had got 
an inkling of the plan, and through them the chief was 
fully apprised of the approach of the English column, and 
had left his camp, with all his OJibwa and Ottaiva warriors, 
to attack it. 

At Parent's Creek (since called Bloody Run), a mile and 
a half above the fort, the vanguard was assailed by a ter- 
rific fire from hundreds of Indians ambushed behind piles 
of firewood, fences, hou.ses, apple-trees, etc., belonging to 
the Canadians, and some rude intrenchments previously 
thrown up by Pontiac when his camp was situated there. 
From the facts in this case, in that of Braddock's ded'at, 



24 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and in numerous others of the same class and period, it 
would seem that the system of covering an advancing 
column with a line of skirmishers several paces apart was 
unknown to, or at least unpracticed by, the strategists of 
that day. It is true a vanguard marched ahead of the main 
body, but it formed a small column of itself, and was an easy 
mark for the guns of ambushed foemen. 

In the present instance half of the advance-guard were 
killed or wounded by the first volley ; the rest ran back, 
throwing the main body into confusion. Dalzell rallied his 
men, who made charge after charge upon the fences and 
other structures which sheltered the foe, only to find in 
each case that the Indians had fled back a little farther into 
the darkness, whence their bullets still flew with fearful 
effect into the crowded ranks of the soldiers. Dalzell was 
compelled to order a retreat. 

Up to this time the bloody work had been carried on by 
OJihwas and Ottawas, either because the Wj/ciuJots and 
Po/tawaltamies had shaken oft the influence of Pontiac, 
or because he had planned for them to fall on the English 
rear. Whichever supposition is correct, no sooner was the 
noise of battle wafted to their ears than the warriors has- 
tened to take part in the fray. The Wi/andots rowed 
across the river in canoes, the Puttaivaitainles hastened 
through the woods west of the fort. Scarcely had the 
column begun its retrograde movement when all the bands 
from below occupied the houses, fences, and orchards by 
the roadside, pouring volley after volley into the ranks of 
the wearied and discouraged soldiery. 

At one point, half a mile below Bloody Run, the savages 
occupied a cluster of out-houses and a newly-dug cellar close 
to the road, and, strange as it ma}- seem, they were again 
able to ambush the column, allowing the vanguard to pass 
unharmed, but firing with deadly effect upon the centre and 
rear. The retreat came near degenerating into a pei'fect 
rout, but Dalzell, though twice severely wounded, rallied 
his men, and did all that valor could inspire to compensate 
for his lack of skill. Maj. Rogers, with his American 
rangers, broke into a house and drove out the savages. 
Capt. Gray, while charging the enemy, was mortally wounded, 
but the foe was temporarily repulsed. 

Again the retreat was resumed, and instantly the Pot- 
tawattamies and Wyandots gathered on the flank of the 
column and riddled it with their deadly volleys. Dalzell 
was killed and his body abandoned to the brutal rage of 
the foe by the fleeing soldiers. Rogers again took pos- 
session of a house to cover the retreat, and to some ex- 
tent succeeded in doing so ; but when the column had 
passed, two hundred yelling savages surrounded the place, 
firing into every aperture they could see, and effectually 
preventing the escape of its defenders. Half a mile farther 
down, Capt. Grant, now in command of the demoralized 
troops, was able to seize some inclosures, which pretty 
effectually sheltered his men. Thence he sent squads to 
occupy the houses below, ahead of the Indians, and thus 
secured his retreat to the fort. He then sent the two 
armed bateaux, which had accompanied the expedition, to a 
point opposite the house of Campan, which was held by 
Rogers. The vessels swept the ground on both sides of the 
house with their swivels, the fire from which sent Potta- 



wattamies, Ottawas, and all, yelling in dismay to the woods. 
But no sooner had Rogers marched down the road to join 
Grant than some of them rushed into the house and scalped 
the slain remaining there, an old squaw cutting open one of 
the dead bodies and drinking the blood with more than 
fiendish joy. Yet amid all this ferocity no damage was 
done to any of the family, nor to the frightened French 
pioneers of the neighborhood, who had crowded into the 
cellar for safety. 

Grant an3 Rogers successfully consummated their retreat; 
but fifty-nine men killed and wounded, out of two hundred 
and fifty, in a two-hours' fight, attested the accuracy of aim 
of the Ottawa, Potlawatlamie, and Wi/andot braves. 

Pontiac at once sent messengers, announcing his victory, 
to St. Joseph, Saginaw, and numerous other points, scat- 
tered far and wide through the forest, and bands of warriors 
soon came trooping in, anxious to join what seemed to them 
the successful side. Yet even with these reinforcements the 
chieftain dared make no attack on the fort, which was now 
well supplied with arms, ammunition, and provisions, and 
the garrison of which, notwithstanding the recent disaster, 
numbered over three hundred men. 

Ou the 4th of September some three hundred Wyandots 
and Pottawattamies made an attack in birch canoes on the 
schooner " Gladwyn,' as it lay detained by contrary winds on 
its way up from Lake Erie. They clambered up the sides 
in spite of cannon and small arms, with their knives between 
their teeth, slew the master of the vessel, and disabled 
several of the men who formed the crew ; yet the remainder 
fought with such desperate valor that the assailants were 
finally repulsed. Contemporary letters assert that the mate 
ordered the vessel blown up, which some of the Indians 
understood, and on their telling their comrades they all fled 
to avoid the threatened explosion. This is very doubtful. 
A few of the Western Indians knew a little French, but 
not one in a thousand could have understood a word of 
English. Doubtless the Pottawattamie braves were very 
much " at sea" in attacking an armed ship, and were much 
more easily repulsed than they would have been by the same 
number of foes on land. 

But by the end of September the patience of the Indians 
was pretty well exhausted. Notwithstanding the victory 
of Bloody Run, they saw no prospect of reducing the fort 
as long as they had free communication with the East by 
means of the river and lake, and they had already been en- 
gaged in the siege far longer than they had been in the 
habit of continuing in any enterprise. As the hunting 
season approached, too, they were obliged to seek for game or 
go without food the next year, and a large portion of them 
scattered to their respective hunting-grounds for that pur- 
pose. 

Soon, all along the banks of the St. Joseph and far into 
the forest on either side, the Pottawattamie warriors wore 
to be seen ambushing the deer as they visited their favorite 
drinking-places, or tracking the bear to his lonely den, or 
occasionally bringing down some stately moose which had 
wandered down from its northern home, while the patient 
squaws bore their lords' burdens from place to place and 
prepared for future use the game the latter had slain. 
Similar scenes were enacted on the hunting-grounds of the 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



25 



other tribes, and the siege of Detroit necessarily languished 
for lack of besiegers. But after the terrible experience of 
Bloody lluu, Major Gladwyn was naturally in no haste to 
try to drive them away by a sally. Those who remained 
were also anxious to begin hunting, an<i were willing to tell 
any number of falsehoods which would tend to shield them 
from annoyance through the winter. 

On the 12th of October a chief of the Mixaisaufffis, a 
branch of the OJihiva.i, came to the fort with a pipe of 
peace. He informed Maj. Gladwyn that he was author- 
ized to represent the OJllnons, Wynndots, and Pottuwntla- 
mie.i, who were deeply repentant and desirous of peace. 
The commandant valued their repentance at what it was 
worth, but willingly offered a truce. While it lasted he 
succeeded in obtaining a good supply of provisions among 
the Canadians. 

But the stern Pontiac and his Ottawa warriors sullenly 
refused to ask for truce or peace, and continued the war to 
the best of their ability-, neglecting no op]iortunity to fire 
upon a foraging-party or cut off a straggling soldier. But 
on the last day of October a messenger came from the com- 
mandant of Fort Chartres, the principal French post on the 
Upper Mississippi, informing Pontiac that the French and 
English were now at peace, and that he could expect no 
help from the former in his warfare with the latter. The 
disgusted chieftain immediately sent word to Maj. Glad- 
wyn that he should advise all the Indians to bury the 
hatchet, and soon afterwards withdrew, with some of his prin- 
cipal henchmen, to the Mauniee. The Potlawattamies and 
others who had taken part in the siege were already nearly 
all busy in their respective hunting-grounds, and the re- 
mainder soon departed after the guiding .spirit of the con- 
spiracy abandoned his self-imposed task. 

Thus ended the celebrated siege of Detroit, distinguished 
not only for the commanding character of the sullen chief 
of the assailants, and for the importance of the interests in- 
volved, but for the constancy, unrivaled in Indian warfare, 
with which the capricious warriors of the woods, under 
the influence of that powerful mind, devoted themselves 
through five weary months to the accomj)lishment of their 
object. 

Although Pontiac probably intended to renew the siege 
in the spring of 176-I-, and though some of the warriors he 
had led returned to Detroit at that time for that purpose, 
yet so many difficulties had arisen that the great chief him- 
self did not appear on the scene of his exploits, and the at- 
tempted renewal of the conflict amounted to little or nothing 
except to annoy still longer the faithful garrison. 

In the .summer of 1764, Gen. John Bradstreet came up 
the lakes with an army of twelve or fifteen hundred men, 
and several hundred Iroquois allies, to enforce the submis- 
sion of the hostile tribes. He reached Detroit on the 2lJth 
of August, and on the 7th of September held a grand coun- 
cil with the Indians. A considerable delegation came from 
the country about Sandusky, but the I'ottuwattamies and 
other tribes of the Michigan peninsula were only repre- 
sented by the Ojibica chief Wasson and six inferior chiefs. 
Bradstreet was very desirous that the Indians should ac- 
knowledge themselves subjects of tiie King of England. 
But tiieir democratic miuds could hardly underst;iud what 



was meant by being " subjects" of any man, and if they had 
understood it they would certainly never have sincerely 
a.ssonted to it. But they had been accustomed, as a matter 
of courtesy, to call the King of France their father, and this 
title they willingly agreed to transfer to the King of Eng- 
land. Bradstreet boasted that he had reduced the Indians to 
complete submission, but if there had been a good opening 
for an outbreak, he would doubtless have discovered that 
though he might have called the King of England his father, 
a PottaKattamie brave would not thereby have been pre- 
vented from tomahawking the King's subjects whenever he 
could catch one alone. 

A treaty was made, signed, according to the historian 
Mante, with a deer and cross on behalf of the Jfnroiis, with 
a turtle by the Mkimis, and with an eagle by the Missi- 
saiiffas, while the corporate seal of the Pottawattamies and 
Foxes was represeiited by the figures of a fox, an eel, and 
a bear. 

Bradstreet sent troops to re-establish the posts at Michilli- 
macinac and Green Bay, and then returned East. Though 
the expedition was not very well managed, yet the presence 
of such a large English force — larger than any body the 
French had ever sent up the lakes — could not but impress 
the minds of the Indians with the idea that it would be 
well to keep on good terms with their new " father." 

A much more skillful manager of Indians than Brad- 
street was the celebrated Sir William Johnson, who was 
appointed superintendent of all the Indians of the North. 
He personally visited Detroit and other posts, and kept 
three well-trained deputies traveling among the various 
tribes. By a shrewd mixture of dignity and flattery, by a 
frequent distribution of cheap but highly-prized pre.sents, 
and by florid delineation of the immense power of the 
English king. Sir William and his deputies contrived to 
keep these numerous forest-clansmen in comparative quiet 
down nearly to the time of his death. 

On the 17th of August, 1765, George Croghan, the most 
expert of Sir William's deputies, held a grand council at 
Detroit with the Ottawas, Pottawattamies, and Ojibioas. 
They had been thoroughly humbled by their ill success, 
and, moreover (having acquired numerous artificial wants 
since the first advent of the whites among them), they had 
suffered much from the long suspension of the fur-trade, 
and were truly desirous for peace, professing their repent- 
ance and submission in the most moving terms. A band 
of Pottawattamies from St. Joseph is particularly men- 
tioned as being present, whose orator, in the course of a 
speech of submission, said (" Conspiracy of Pontiac," vol. 
ii. p. 293): 

" We are no more than wild creatures to you, fathers, 
in understanding ; therefore, we request you to forgive the 
past follies of our young people, and receive us for your 
children. Since you have thrown down our former father 
(the King of France) on his back, we have been wandering 
in the dark like blind people. Now you have dispersed 
all this darkne-ss which hung over the heads of the several 
tribes, and have accepted them f()r your children, we hope 
you will let us partake with them the light, that our women 
and children may enjoy peace. We beg you to forget all 
that is past. By this belt we remove all evil thoughts 



26 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



from your hearts. Fathers, when we formerly came to 
visit our fatliers, the French, they always sent us home 
joyful ; and we hope you, fathers, will have pity on our 
women and young men, who are in great want of neces- 
saries, and not let us go to our towns ashamed." 

Pontiac was present at another council on the 27th of 
the same month, and also made his submission to the Eng- 
lish. In the autumn of that year, too. Fort Chartres, the 
last French post east of the Mississippi (except in the 
vicinity of New Orleans), was delivered up to a detachment 
of British soldiers. The humiliation of France was com- 
plete, and the West was at peace. Yet there was still a 
very bitter feeling on the part of the Western Indians 
toward the English, and traders of that nation frequently 
dealt in the name of their French employees, on account 
of the greater friendliness of the savages for that people. 

Before proceeding with the history of the tribe we have 
taken under our especial charge, a few words may interest 
the reader regarding the great chieftain whose skill and 
eloquence, ferocity and valor had shaken the power of 
Britain throughout an immense domain, and startled half 
a continent from its propriety. In the spring of 17(56, 
Pontiac met Sir William Johnson at Oswego, and renewed 
the compact of peace and friendship already made in the 
West. He then returned and fixed his home on the 
Maumee. When new disturbances arose between the set- 
tlers and Indians, Pontiac was suspected of inflaming the 
hostility of the latter. Early in 1769 he went to Illinois, 
where there was already much uneasiness, and again the 
suspicions of the English were aroused. According to the 
account adopted by Parkman, and which is in all proba- 
bility correct, Pontiac became intoxicated at an Indian 
feast at Cahokia, near St. Louis. An English trader, see- 
ing his condition, hired a Kaskaslcia Indian to murder him, 
and when the chieftain wandered alone into the forest to 
cool his heated brain, the assassin stealthily followed and 
stabbed him to the heart. 

His followers fled northward and told the tale among 
the warriors of the lakes, all of whom were eager to avenge 
the crime. They might endure the supremacy of the pow- 
erful English, but their fierce blood boiled at the thought 
that the scurvy Jllinois Indians, whom they had always 
looked on as their inferiors, should dare to slay their re- 
nowned champion. By hundreds, perhaps by thousands, 
the northern warriors sprang to arms, — Ot/atvus, OJtbtcas, 
and Futtawattamies, Delawares, Shawnees, and Mianiis, — 
and ere the conflict was concluded the Illinois were almost 
entirely exterminated. Men, women, and children were 
indiscriminately slaughtered, their villages were destroyed 
by fire, and only a few puny and frightened bands remained 
to tell the story of the great revenge. 

Pontiac was essentially a representative Indian, with all 
the mingled virtues and vices of his race in the most 
marked degree. Brave, ferocious, patriotic, true to his 
friends, treacherous toward his foes, enduring the severest 
hardships of war with stoic fortitude, but succumbing at 
length to the baleful fire-water of the pale-faces, his charac- 
ter may well be studied on the pages of Parkman, as mani- 
festing in a single individual all the most prominent attri- 
butes of the Indians of North America. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE POTTAWATTAMIES-<Contmued). 

A Peaceful Era — The Quebec Act — Michigan called " Hesse"' — The 
Revolution — Pnttttirattaiiiies with Burgoyne — Outrage and Deser- 
tion—The Ordinance of 1787— The Treaty of 1789— Defeat of Har- 
mar and St. Clair—" Mad Anthony" on the War-Path— The Battle 
of the Maumee — Treaty of Greenville — Topenabee, the Head Chief 
— A "Ring" Scheme — Organization of Indiana and Michigan — 
Divers Treaties — Tecumseh and the Pottairnttamies — Battle of 
Tippecanoe — The War of 1S12 — Defeat of Major Van Horn — Brit- 
ish and Indians Defeated by Colonel Miller — Hull's Surrender — /*-/- 
taicattiiiiiieii turn out en viasse — Battle and Massacre of the Raisin — 
Proctor's Defeat at Lower Sandusky — Battle of Lake Erie — Indians 
at the Topmast — Battle of the Thames — Submission of the Putta- 
tcattamica — Concluding Remarks. 

Down to the opening of the Revolutionary war, the 
Pot tawatt amies, like the other lake Indians, dwelt in com- 
parative peace with the white men, though occasional mur- 
ders on either side kept up the general feeling of uneasiness. 
The Indians of Michigan occupied a much more independ- 
ent position than their brethren to the southeast. The 
Iroquois claimed sovereignty over the whole northwest 
almost to the Mississippi, by virtue of previous conquests; 
but while the Delawines and Shawnees of Ohio admitted 
their supremacy, and never attempted to sell land without 
their consent, the fiercer Ottawas, OJibioas, and Pottawat- 
tamies defied their power, and were able to maintain their 
own independence. 

Wo may mention, too, in passing that, in 1774, the act 
of Parliament known as the Quebec -'^et established the 
boundaries of Canada, so far as to include Michigan, and ex- 
tend west to the Mississippi, and south to the Ohio. The 
district of Michigan was established then, or previously, as 
a part of the province of Quebec, but it had no civil gov- 
ernment. The commandant of the post of Detroit exercised 
almost autocratic power over the white men of the district, 
while the vast forests of the interior knew no government 
save the vague authority exercised by Ottawa, OJibwa, and 
Pottawattamie chieftains. In time, these and their followers 
became pretty well reconciled to the English, and very 
strongly impressed with the power of the English king. 
Four years after the Quebec Act, the captain-general of 
Canada divided that province into districts, giving that of 
Michigan the name of " Hesse," in honor of the Hessian 
troops then serving King George in America. But the 
fortunes of war determined that the people of Michigan 
should not be " Hessians." 

Meanwhile the oppressions of Britain had roused the 
colonies to resistance, and in 1775 the bloody drama of 
the Revolution opened on the field of Lexington. With 
the first news of conflict, the warriors of the West snuffed 
blood in the air, and were eager to take part in the strife. 
The English authorities were very willing to employ them, 
and, having ample means and free communication with the 
savages, it was easy to enlist both their avarice and their 
passions on the royal side. It was easy to throw the blame 
of all the wrongs of which the Indians complained upon 
the colonists (who were by no means guiltless), and to 
represent that their great and good father across the ocean 
was determined to see that justice was done to his red chil- 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



27 



dren. An ample array of presents enforced this reasoning, 
and fully enlisted the sympathies of the red men. 

Yet, although a few small bands wore employed during 
1775 and 177G, no considerable body of Indians took the 
war-path in behalf of the British during either of those 
years. Doubtless the invasion of Canada by the Amer- 
icans, who for a while carried everything before them, 
tended to repress the enthusiasm of the prudent aborigines. 
But in 1776 the Americans were driven outof Canada, and 
iti the fall of that year an army began to be gathered in the 
latter province, designed to attack them by way of Lake 
Cluimplain. In the early spring of 1777 great efforts were 
made to collect a large au.xiliary force of savages. 

No one who knew anything of Indian character could 
have expected them to be of much benefit in open fighting, 
such as is usually carried on between civilized armies. It 
was supposed, however, that they would be useful in cutting 
off small parties, pickets, outposts, etc., and performing sim- 
ilar work. Moreover, it is plain from the proclamations of 
British commanders that, altliough they may have hesitated 
to actually hire the Indians to scalp American women and 
children (as our fathers believed they did), yet they relied 
largely on the terror with which the prospect of widespread 
Indian ravages would naturallj- inspire the people. To the 
chiefs and warriors they sometimes said : " You must only 
slay men in arms against us, not prisoners, nor women, nor 
children ;" but to the Americans on the frontier they always 
said, in language more or less plain : " If you do not sub- 
mit we shall be unable to restrain our Indians, and then you 
know what will happen." As the war went on, the passions 
of the English ofiScers were inflamed by defeat ; they be- 
came less and less particular as to restraining their Indians, 
and at length coolly tolerated the most atrocious crimes. 

It was arranged that the Six Nations should accompany 
Gen. St. Leger in his attack upon the Mohawk Valley, 
while the Western Indians were to be assembled near Mon- 
treal and join the main army of Lieut.-Gen. Burgoyne. 
Large amounts were expended in gathering these warriors, 
and ere long band after band made its way eastward. 
There were our old acquaintances, the Pottawatlinnics, 
Ottawas, and Chippewas, of Michigan ; Winnebagnes, 
Menomonees, Sacs and Foxes, from the territory now called 
Wisconsin ; and even a few Sioux from the western side of 
the " Father of Waters, — all painted and plumed for war, 
and thirsting for the blood of the '' Boston men," as they 
called the Americans. 

Notwithstanding the money employed and trouble taken, 
only about five or six hundred were brought together by 
the l.st of July, 1777. These joined Burgoyne's army at the 
head of Lake Champlain, about the tenth of that month. 
The warriors of each tribe had their own chiefs, but they 
were all under the direction of St. Luc la Corne de St. Luc, 
a Canadian partisan, who had frcrjucntly led Indians to 
deeds of blood for the French in the old wars, and had now 
offered his services to the English. Another French Cana- 
dian leader of the Indians was Charles de Langlade, before 
mentioned as having taken part in the defeat of Braddock. 

The Americans were terribly frightened at their approach, 
and thousands fled to the interior of the country, solely 
from fear of the Indians. These took part in some opera- 



tions around Skenesboro', now Whitehall, but were pretty 
closely watched by the British officers. When, in the latter 
part of July, l$urgoyne's army began its advance towards 
the Hudson, the Indians thought their time had come. 
They spread out on both flanks, plundering the people who 
remained, burning houses, and occasionally, when there was 
a good opportunity, slaughtering a whole family. They 
were much more anxious about the number of scalps they 
could obtain than about the polities of the heads which 
wore them, and some Tory families who had remained, 
relying on their loyalty, were butchered to the youngest 
child by these devoted champions of King George. 

On the 27th of July occurred the celebrated tragedy of 
Jane McCrea, in which a young girl was slain and scalped 
by a band of Indians who were taking her to the British 
camp. According to the common account, her lover, who 
was a Tory officer, had sent these strange ambassadors to 
bring Miss McCrea to camp, where he intended to marry 
her ; they quarreled on the road about the reward, and t« 
settle the difficulty slew their unhappy charge and divided 
the scalp. One account of the aflan- says the murderers 
were l^ottawattamivs, and we must confess that the act was 
entirely in accordance with their previous character. 

The mingled romance and tragedy of this sad event at- 
tracted universal attention and cast the deepest odium 
on the British. Burgoyne arrested the murderer, but re- 
leased him on a promise from the Indians that if he were 
pardoned they would behave better in the future. He 
reprimanded them with great severity, and really seems to 
have set so close a watch on them that the more atrocious 
kind of outrages were prevented during the remainder of 
the campaign. But our I'otlawattamie and Ottawa friends 
took great umbrage at these restrictions. A campaign with 
no scalps or plunder was not at all to their taste, and their 
leader, La Corne de St. Luc, encouraged their complaints. 
Many deserted and made their ways in small bands to the 
wilds of Michigan. 

About a hundred and fifty of those who remained were 
sent with the Hessian troops to Bennington, and shared the 
severe defeat inflicted by the Americans at that celebrated 
battle, thirty or forty uf them being killed or captured. 
Their brethren were very indignant against Burgoyne for 
not sending reinforcements in time. Band after band de- 
serted, and finally, at a general council, nearly all of them 
demanded permission to return. Burgoyne used every in- 
ducement he could to persuade them to remain, and they 
apparently yielded to his solicitations, but the very next day 
a lai'ge number of them left, and they coutiuued to desert 
until scarcely one remained. 

This, we believe, was the last time that any considerable 
number oi Pottawatlamies or other Michigan Indians were 
employed by the British during the Revolution, though per- 
haps a few were afterwards kept in pay along the northern 
border of New York. After 1777, too, the English author- 
ities no longer tried to use Indians as auxiliaries to regular 
troops. They fitted out bands of the Six Nations, and 
allowed them to ravage the frontiers at will. 

At the close of the Revolution the treaty of peace gave 
Michigan to the United States, but England still continued 
to hold Detroit and tlie other posts of the Northwest, and all 



28 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tlic Indians of this section were still under their influ- 
ence. 

In 1787 tlie old Continental Congress passed an ordi- 
Dance, soon after confirmed by the Federal Congress, con- 
stituting Michigan a part of the ^rcat Northwest Territory, 
which extended from the Ohio River to the Canadian 
boundary, and fVoui Pennsylvania to the Missis.sippi. Yet 
still the British held possession of the frontier forts ; still 
the Ottatons, Potlawattamies, and Sliawnees looked up to 
the British officers as the representatives of their great 
father beyond the sea, who was the embodiment of all ter- 
restrial power and wisdom. 

In 1789 the Potlawattamies and other Michigan tribes 
were represented by their principal chiefs in a great council 
held by Gen. St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, 
on the Muskingum River, in the present State of Ohio, where 
they made a treaty of peace with the United States. None 
the less they still hated the Americans, and, as the latter 
believed, were encouraged in this feeling by the British 
officials. And when, a little later, two American armies, 
under Gens. Harmar and St. Clair, were successively de- 
feated by the Sliawnees, Delawares, and other tribes of 
what is now Ohio and Indiana, the Pottaivattamies and 
Ottawas lost what little respect they might previously have 
had for the new Republic, and were (pile ready to go upon 
the war-path against it. 

They soon had an opportunity. In 1794, Gen. Wayne, 
familiarly known as " Mad Anthony," led a small but well- 
appointed army into the wilderness of Western Ohio, to 
chastise the red men in their native fastnesses. Lithe 
messengers sped with flying feet to all the tribes of the 
Northwest, and in a short time bands of painted Potfawat- 
tamies and Otta.was, well equipped with guns and ammu- 
nition obtained at the British posts, were on tlioir way to 
join their Shawnee and Miami brethren in destroying the 
presumptuous Yankee. The clans gathered rapidly in the 
northwestern part of the present State of Ohio, under the 
leadership of the celebrated Miami chieftain, Little Turtle, 
and for a while contented themselves with watching Wayne's 
approach, in the hope of surprising him. 

But Anthony Wayne was not the man to be surprised, 
and at length Little Turtle and his chiefs determined to 
attack him. When the army had moved about five miles 
southward from the head of the rapids of the Maumee, the 
whole great horde of Miamis, Delawares, Shaivnees, Chip- 
petoas, Ottawas, and Potlawattamies, two thousand strong 
(including about seventy white men, mostly from Detroit), 
advanced against the Americans. But Wayne was well 
prepared, and after a brief but well-contested battle the 
Indians gave way at every point, and fled in utter rout from 
the field. Many were left dead on the ground, and beside 
every one was found a musket, bayonet, and equipments, 
from a British armory, showing but too plainly one of the 
chief sources of their hostility. A trader who not long 
afterwards met a Miami who had fled before the terrible 
onslaught of Wayne's soldiers, said to him, — - 

" What made you run away ?" With gestures corre- 
sponding to his words, and endeavoring to represent the 
effect of the cannon, he replied, — 

" Pop, pop, pop, — boo, woo, woo, — whish, whish, boo. 



woo, — kill twenty Indians one time, — no good, by 
dam !" 

As had so often been the case before, as soon as defeated 
the various bands hurried away to their respective villages. 
In a short time the Pottawattamie warriors were pursuing 
their customary avocations along the banks of the St. 
Joseph. But they were deeply impressed both with 
Wayne's vigor and the strength of the United States, and 
began seriously to think that all the power in the world 
was not embraced within the walls of the British forts. 

When, soon afterwards, Wayne sent messengers sum- 
moning the chiefs to council, they were very willing to 
respond. The principal men of the Miamis, Delawares, 
Shaivnees, Chippewas, Ottawas, and Pottaivattamies met 
the general at Fort Greenville, and concluded a treaty of 
peace and friendship with the United States, which was 
quite faithfully observed for over fifteen years. The Shaw- 
nees and others made a large cession of land in Ohio to 
the government, but the Michigan Indians were still left 
in undisturbed possession of their old hunting-grounds. 
The treaty was signed on the part of the Miamis and 
Shawnees by Little Turtle and Blue Jacket, who were 
both leaders in the battle against Wayne. On the part of 
the Pottaivattamies there appeared the name and mark of 
" Topinabi," their head chief, who was also probably, but 
not certainly, in the same combat, and who was recognized 
as head chief of that tribe until his death, forty years later. 
It is evident from the treaty that the Pottaivattamies were 
ranked among the more important tribes, as they received 
a thousand dcjllars as gratuities, which was the amount 
awarded to the Miamis, the Delawares, the Shaivnees, the 
Chippewas, and the Ottawas respectively, while the Kicka- 
poos and other tribes received only five hundred dollars 
each. When the time came for signing the treaty, it was 
twice read and every section explained by Gen. Wayne, 
throuiih an interpreter, to the assembled chiefs and war- 
riors. Then he said, — 

" You Chippewas, do you approve of these articles of 
treaty, and are you prepared to sign them ?" A unanimous 
" yes," was the response. 

" And you Ottawas, do you approve of these articles of 
treaty, and are you prepared to sign them?" Again 
unanimous affirmative. 

"And you Pottawattamies, do you approve of these 
articles of treaty, and are you prepared to sign them?" 
" Yes, yes, treaty good," said or grunted all the dark warriors 
of Southern Michigan. After obtaining similar responses 
from the other tribes, the treaty was considered to be ap- 
proved and the work of signing concluded the negotiations. 

Up to this time no attempt had been made either by the 
government or by private individuals to obtain title to any 
of the land of Michigan, except in the case of the few set- 
tlers around Detroit. But in 1795 an efi'ort was made by 
what would now be called a " ring" to obtain some twenty 
million acres, situated between Lakes Erie, Huron, and 
Michigan. One Robert Randall, of Pennsylvania, Charles 
Whitney, of Vermont, and some Detroit merchants formed 
a company, dividing the lands they expected to obtain, and 
which included Branch County, into forty-one shares, of 
from half a million to a million acres each. Of these shares. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



29 



five were to go to the Detroiters, six to Randall and his 
associates, while the very liberal proportion of thirty shares 
was to be assigned to members of Congress, in return for 
their assistance in securing the passage of the necessary 
laws. The part a.ssigned to tiic Detroit men was to procure 
the needful treaties granting the land.s to them, which they 
thought they could obtain by their influence over the I'olta- 
uiiltiiniif and Ottii'cn chiefs, with wliom they were in the 
habit of trading. 

Thus it will be seen that some very illegitimate schemes 
were concocted even in the " good old times" eighty years 
ago. It must be admitted, however, that this one was not 
as successful as some later ones have boon, for it was thor- 
oughly exposed, and some of the parties were brought before 
Congress and fined. 

In 1796 the British, after long negotiations, surrendered 
Detroit and the other posts in the West, and then, and not 
till then, did the Americans obtain any real power over 
Michigan. 

The same year Governor St. Clair formcui by proclama- 
tion the county of Wayne, which extended from the Cuya- 
hoga River in Ohio to the Mississippi, and northward to 
Lake Superior. This was the first county which included 
the present territory of Branch within its limits, but its 
jurisdiction here was entirely nominal, and the Puttmoatta- 
mic chiefs still continued the magnates of this region. 

The Pottawattamies were always a warlike tribe, and 
although awed into peace with the United States were much 
engaged in hostilities with other tribes, especially with the 
Shawnees, who lived to the southward. Many interesting 
legends regarding these tribes near the close of the last cen- 
tury are related by Judge Littlcjohn in his work entitled 
" Legends of Michigan and the Old Northwest." The ad- 
mixture of the romantic, however, is so great that we could 
hardly give them a place in our sober history. 

This county in rapid succession passed through several 
changes of jurisdiction at this period, all merely nominal, 
and in nowise interfering with the supremacy of the abo- 
riginal lords of the soil. In 1800 the Territory of Indiana 
was formed from the Northwest Territory. The east line 
of the new Territory was the same as that of the present 
State of Indiana, but it was continued northward through 
the present State of Michigan to the Strait of Mackinaw. 
The present county of Branch was thus transferred to In- 
diana Territory, the west line of which was a mile east from 
the present eastern boundary of that county. In 1802 the 
State of Ohio was formed, at which time the eastern part of 
the present Michigan was also annexed to Indiana. 

In February, 1805, the Territory of Michigan was or- 
ganized, with Gen. William Hull as the firet Governor, and 
thus the ancient lands of the Pultuwattitmivx became a por- 
tion of a Territory destined to become one of the great and 
powerful Suites of the American Union. By the law form- 
ing the Territory, the boundary between it and Indiana was a 
line drawn east from the southern extremity of Lake Mich- 
igan, which was ten miles south of the present boundary. 

In 1807 a treaty was made by Gen. Hull on the part of 
the United States with the 0/lawas, Pottawdl/aniics, C'/iip- 
pciciis, and Wj/niidofs, by which those tribes ceded to the 
government their claim to all the land cast of a line drawn 



north from the mouth of the Auglaisc River (which empties 
into the Maunieo at Defiance, Ohio), to a point near the 
present south line of Michigan. This north and south line 
was afterwards extended and made the principal meridian 
for the government surveys in Michigan, finally becoming 
the line between Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties. 

Several other treaties were made with the Pottawattamies 
and other tribes between 1800 and 1810. Most of them 
were of little importance, though several provided for the pay- 
ment of annuities and goods of the United States to the In- 
dians. Nearly every treaty was headed by the name of To^ 
pcnabee (^sometimes spelled " Tuthinepee" or " Topeuipee"j, 
who was always recognized as the head chief of the tribe. 

Two or three years later the Poltawuttamies again began 
to grow restless and hostile towards the people of the United 
States. The S/wtvnee chief, Tecumseh, a forest hero of as 
great ability as I'ontiac, though less ferocious in disposition, 
had, like him, conceived the idea of stopping the advancing 
wa\e of emigration, which seemed likely ere long to over- 
whelm the original inhabitants of the land, or drive them 
into unknown deserts far beyond the Father of Waters. Like 
Fontiac, he too hoped lor foreign assistance ; but the hatred 
felt for the English by the great Ottawa liad been changed 
to love and admiration in the heart of his modern imitator. 

The reason is plain. In Fontiac's time the English were 
one nation with the x\mericans, and together they were the 
great colonizing, emigrating people of the world. Fontiac 
hated them, largely because they wanted land, and preferred 
the French, not only on account of their pleasant ways but 
because they were poor colonizers, and did not care much 
for land. In Tecuni.seh's day the Americans were the ones 
who threatened to overwhelm the Indians by emigration ; 
while the English, confined to a narrow belt of habitable 
land in Canada, appeared far less dangerous. 

Tecumseh knew that there were difliculties between the 
United States and Great Britain which portended war ; and 
it is believed by many that he was directly encouraged by 
the British ofiicials to engage in hostilities against the 
Americans. However that may be, about the year 1810 
the brave and eloquent Shawnee made desperate efforts to 
form an alliance against the Americans of all the Indian 
tribes from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Superior, and from 
the frontier settlements of the whites to or beyond the 
Mississippi. From tribe to tribe he made his rapid way, 
gathering the chiefs and warriors in council, kindling their 
passions by fierce invectives against the Americans, ex- 
citing their hopes by portraying the scalps and booty to be 
obtained from the hated ]ialc-faces, and ((uclling their fears 
by promising them the protection of their father, the King 
of Great Britain, who was ready to join hands with his 
red children in puni.shing the insolence of the Yankees. 

The Pottawattamies were quite ready to believe the flat- 
tering story, and they, like all Indians who live in the vicin- 
ity of the whites, had had more or less difficulty with them, 
which they were glad to avenge in the bloodiest manner. 

But the Indian policy was not deep enough to keep the 
warriors quiet until all was ready for a grand blow. Their 
restive .spirits showed themselves by frequent outrages, the 
whites retaliated, and the Americans could not help seeing 
that they must prepare for an Indian war. 



30 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



In the fall of 1811, Gen. William H. Harrison, Governor 
of Indiana, took the field to ohastiso the unruly warriors. 
Tecumseh had been greatly aided in his efforts to form an 
Indian confederacy by his brother Elkswatawa, a prominent 
" medicine-man," commonly known as the Prophet. At 
the time when Harrison'.s aVniy approached the Shawnee 
villages on the Wabash, the chieftain himself was in the 
far South, endeavoring to persuade the Cheruhees, Choc- 
tajcs, and other Southern Indians to take up arms, and 
Elkswatawa was left to exercise supreme authority. Either 
thinking there was no time to spare, or desiring to acquire 
for himself the glory of defeating Harrison, Elkswatawa 
prepared to make an attack on the Governor's army with all 
the warriors he could collect together. Messengers were sent 
to the nearest tribes, and several small bands came in to help 
the Shmoiiees. The dread of the Americans, caused by 
Wayne's victory, was, however, not yet entirely dissipated, 
and many hung back. 

But about the first of November he was cheered by the 
arrival of band after band of the fierce Pottaivattamies, 
some from the head of Lake Michigan, and some from the 
valley of the St. Jo.seph, numbering in all about three hun- 
dred warriors. Having this powerful accession to his force, 
he determined at once to attack. 

Before daybreak on the morning of the 7th of November, 
just as Harrison had given orders for the arousing of his 
little army by the sound of the trumpet, a fierce outburst of 
yells was heard, and hundreds upon hundreds of Sliuwnee 
and Pdttawiittamie warriors, with some from other tribes, 
came rushing to the attack, lighting up the darkness with 
the fire of their guns, and stripping the scalps from what- 
ever victims they could reach with all of their old-time 
energy. But Harrison's men were sleeping upon their 
arms, and scarcely had the first demoniac shrieks sounded 
in their ears ere they were on their feet, ranged in order of 
battle, and returning with steady aim the fire of the assail- 
ants. For two or three hours the battle raged with great 
violence ; both Shawnees and Pottaioattamies fought with 
furious energy, and many of the Americans were slain or 
wounded. But at length the steady valor of the regulars 
and the Indiana militia prevailed over the fierce desperation 
of the Indians, and the latter gave way at all points. They 
speedily fled the field, and Harrison marched unopposed to 
the destruction of the Shawnee villages. 

After the battle the Pottawattamie warriors returned to 
their own villages, and these were so far distant that they 
escaped all punishment for the part they had taken. If 
there had been any intention on the part of the American 
ofiicials to follow them to their retreats and chastise them 
the next spring, the former were effectually precluded from 
doing so by the approach of war with Great Britain. 

In June, 1812, war was declared, and Tecumseh at once 
made common cause with the Engli.«h, with all the warriors 
of his own and other tribes whom he could persuade to fol- 
low him. The Pottawattamies had not been so severely 
injured by the battle of Tippecanoe, but that some of 
their braves were still willing to try the chances of war 
against the hated Americans. When Gen. Hull crossed the 
Detroit River into Canada in July of that year, Tecumseh, 
with thirty Shawnees and Pottawattamies, was at Blaldon. 



Others were added to these, and when Hull, by his tardy 
movements and feeble conduct, showed the weakness of his 
heart, the number was largely increased. The Pottawatta- 
mies, being neaily or quite the nearest tribe to the scene of 
action, and being anxious for revenge for their humiliation 
at Tippecanoe, formed a considerable part of Tecumseh's 
force. 

About the 5th of August, Hull sent Major Van Horn 
with two hundred men to escort a convoy of provisions from 
the river Raisin. As the detachment approached Browns- 
town Creek it was .saluted by volleys of musketry, and the 
usual terrific accompaniment of savage yells which an- 
nounced the presence of an Indian foe. Tecumseh with a 
large number of warriors, principally Shaionees. Pottawatta- 
mies, and Ottincas, had placed his people in ambush on Van 
Horn's path, and had a,ssailcd him with the greatest fury. 
After a brief conflict the Americans were utterly defeated, 
and fled to Detroit, having lost half their number in killed, 
wounded, and missing. 

This -victory of Tecumseh and his followers determined 
Hull to evacuate Canada. After doing so the general sent 
another force of six hundred men, under Lieut. -Col. Miller, 
to open the road to the convoy at the river Raisin. Again 
Tecumseh and his warriors flung themselves in the pathway 
of the advancing Americans, this time being assisted by 
a large body of British troops. A battle ensued at Ma- 
guaga, twelve miles below Detroit, where Miller found the 
enemy, both British and Indians, drawn up in line of battle 
to meet him. He attacked them without hesitation. After 
a brief conflict the English fled from the field, but Tecumseh, 
with his Shaivnees and Pottawattamies, still kept up the 
fight. These, too, were at length defeated, and both white 
men and red men fled across the river to Canada, having 
lost one hundred and thirty-four in killed and wounded. The 
Americans had seventeen killed and sixty-four wounded. 

Notwithstanding this check, Tecumseh still maintained 
his control over his warriors, and when the British com- 
mander, Gen. Brock, followed the imbecile Hull to Detroit, 
he reported to his government, and no doubt correctly, that 
he was accompanied by .seven hundred Indians. At all 
events, there were enough to terrify the feeble Hull to an 
extraordinary degree, and his mind was filled with terrible 
visions of all the " hordes of the Northwest"' — Shaionees, 
Ottaicas, Pottawattamies, and Chippewas — overwhelming 
his fort, massacring himself and his garrison, and devas- 
tating the settlements of Michigan with tomahawk and 
scalping-knife. Of the disgraceful surrender which fol- 
lowed on the IGth of August it is needless to speak here, 
save to say that all attempts to justify or extenuate it have 
miserably failed, and the name of the cowardly Hull must 
ever remain on the pages of American history only less 
hateful than that of Arnold, and even more contemptible. 

As Mackinaw had already yielded to a British force, the 
surrender of Detroit and of Hull's army, with all the 
troops in the vicinity, carried with it control over the whole 
of Michigan, which, for the next year, became practically 
British territory. All the Indians were already favor- 
able to the English, and the remarkable success of the 
latter naturally increased the confidence of the red men in 
their prowess. The warriors thronged by hundreds to the 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



31 



camp of the victors, and liardlj' a Pottaioattamie or Ottawa 
capable of wielding a tomahawk was left behind. 

Nine days after the surrender, and perhaps in conse- 
{[uence of it, a band of Pottawattamies, who resided at 
the head of Lake Jlithigan.fell upon, and massacred, the 
little garrison of Fort Dearboru (on the site of Chicago), as 
it was endeavoring fo retreat eastward from that exposed post. 
The next conflict in which the J'vltdicitttami'es took 
part was the celebrated battle of the river Raisin, near 
the site of Monroe, on the 22d day of January, 1813. 
Here a large force of liriti.sh and Indians, under Gen. 
Proctor and Tecumseh, attacked a body of Americans, 
under Gen. Winchester. Auchinleck, the Canadian histo- 
rian of the war of 1812, says there were two hundred 
Folldwntliimics in the battle, and that these were about all 
the Indians present. It is admitted that they fought with 
great bravery, and their efforts, with those of their British 
comrades, were entirely successful. Whether from actual 
necessity, or because of the pall of imbecility which seems 
to have fiiUeu upon the whole American army during the 
first months of the war of 1812, Gen. Winchester and his 
entire force surrendered to Gen. Proctor. 

That officer soon after moved northward with the British 
troops, and most of the able-bodied prisoners, leaving the 
sick and wounded to the mercy of the Indians. He knew 
well enough what the result would be — what it always has 
been where the savages have had the opportunity of wreak- 
ing vengeance on the head of a helpless foe. No sooner 
had the British disappeared than the Potlawattamies, and 
the other Indians with them, fell upon the wretched Ameri- 
cans who were left behind. They began by plundering 
them of everything they possessed. Then, as their rage 
grew by its own indulgence, they thirsted for more exqui- 
site pleasure than plunder aflxarded. First one ferocious 
warrior sank his tomahawk into the head of some helpless 
victim, and, with a fearful yell, tore away the reeking 
scalp. Another, and another, and another, quickly followed 
his example, and soon the whole scene became one of 
brutal butchery, the sick and wounded Americans being 
slaughtered by the score without remorse by the savage Pot- 
taioatltnnics. It was what was to be expected from them, 
but something better might have been hoped from British 
ofiicere, and few more disgraceful events have ever hap- 
pened than Proctor's abandonment of liis helpless prisoners 
to the fury of the savages. It should be added that Te- 
cumseh was absent when the massacre began, and on his 
arrival did all in his power to stop it. 

Tliere were no other events of importance in which the 
Pottawattamies took part during that year, 1812, and as 
usual they returned home to hunt as winter approached. 

In the spring of 1813, they again rallied to the aid of 
the British. After numerous desultory operations during 
the forepart of the year, Proctor and Tecumseh led a large 
force of British and Indians to attack the fort at Lower 
Sandusky (now Fremont), Ohio. The number of Indians 
was estimated at from one to two thousand, of whom from 
three to four hundred were Pottawattamies. 

On the 2d of August, an assault was made by about 
five hundred British troops, while the Indians surrounded 
the fort, and kept up a continuous firing on every Ameri- 



can soldier they could discover. But the attacking column 
was completely repulsed by the one hundred and sixty 
Americans in the fort, commanded by the gallant Maj. 
Croghan, and both the red and white assailants quickly 
retired from the field. 

The British and American fleets on Lake Erie were 
now preparing for action, and both were greatly deficient 
in seamen. The Americans supplied their place with raw 
militiamen, boys, and negroes ; the English endeavored to 
strengthen themselves by placing a number of Indian war- 
riors on each vessel, to act as sharpshooters and pick off the 
American gunners. On the memorable 10th of September 
the battle was fought which decided the mastery of Lake 
Erie. But alas for the noble red men ; no sooner did the 
American cannon-balls come crashing among them, and 
the ships shake from stem to stern with the thunder of 
their own guns, than Sliawiiees, Pottaicattamies, and Otta- 
icas alike fled from their elevated positions, took refuge in 
the holds of their respective vessels, and there remained in 
ignominious security but quaking in every nerve until the 
end of the conflict. They would have fought bravely, 
perhaps desperately, in their native woods, but their \mac- 
customed position and the terrific thunder of the caunon 
were too much even for their stoic natures. 

The battle of Lake Erie was immediately followed by 
the advance of the American army into Canada, under 
Gen. Harrison. The British and Indians retreated to 
the northeast. On the 29th of September, Gen. Har- 
rison took possession of Detroit, and Michigan once more — 
and let us trust forever — passed under American sway. 

For, two or three days later, Harrison followed the British 
army up the river Thames. On the Stli day of October 
he overtook it near the Moravian towns on that stream, and 
the celebrated battle of the Thames ensued. The British 
were in line of battle next the river ; on their right were 
the Indians, under Tecumseh, extending in irregular order 
into a swamp which protected their position on the north. 

Tecumseh doubtless saw that this battle was to determine 
the event of the war so far as he and his were concerned. 
If the Americans could not be defeated, then, whatever 
might be the result elsewhere, there could be little hope 
but that the United States would hold possession of Mich- 
igan and the whole Northwest, and his people must go 
down before their power. Many of the more intelligent 
Sliaicnees and Pottawattamies likewi.se understood the 
situation, and the rest were devoted to Tecumseh ; all were 
determined to fight to the utmost. 

The battle was begun in a very peculiar manner. Col. 
Richard M. Johnson's regiment of mounted riflemen being 
ordered to charge the enemy's lines, in advance of the in- 
fantry. Singularly enough, the British infantry at once gave 
way before the charge of a single battalion of the regiment, 
led by the lieutenant-colonel. Six hundred of them were 
taken prisoners, but their general, the man responsible for 
the massacre of the river Raisin, fled so early aud so rap- 
idly as to escape capture. 

The other battalion was led by Col. Johnson himself, 
his principal foes being the Indians. From them, even 
after the British had all fled or surrendered, the riflemen 
encountered a fierce resistance. Cheered on by Tecumseh 



32 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and the other chiefs, amonp; whom Maipock, a fierce and 
implacable Pottawattaime, was one of the most conspic- 
uous, and feeling that this was their last chance, Shaw- 
nees, Ottmoas, and Pottawattamies all fought with equal 
valor and ferocity. The American infantry came up and 
engaged in the conflict, yet still the warriors fought with 
desperate and useless courage against overwhelming numbers. 
But at length Tecuniseh fell (no one has ever ascertained 
exactly when or where), the remaining braves were outnum- 
bered four to one, and all speedily fled or yielded to the 
victors. The Pottatoattamies stood by Tecumseh to the 
last, and one of their number, a large, fine-looking chief, 
who wa.s slain while emulating his great leader, is said to 
have been mistaken for him by many of the Americans. 

The battle of the Thames completely extinguished the 
hopes of victory and independence indulged by the Indians 
of the Northwest. The confederacy which had been formed 
among them by the genius of Tecumseh at once fell in 
pieces after his death, and each tribe thought only of secur- 
ing its own safety. The Puttiiivattami'es, Ottawas, and 
several other tribes immediately sent delegations ofiering 
peace to the successful Americans, and on the 16th of 
October Gen. Harrison granted them an armistice, having 
first received a number of warriors from each tribe as host- 
ages for the peaceable conduct of their comrades. The 
latter returned to their villages, and, although the war did 
not cease until the beginning of 1815, they were glad to 
refrain from taking any part in it. 

Henceforth we have to deal with the Pottawattamies, 
not as a proud and powerful people, the unquestioned lords 
of Southern Michigan, setting at defiance by turns the 
governments of England and the United States, but as a 
subjugated, disorganized tribe, composed of a few feeble, 
scattered bauds, roaming over the scenes of their former 
greatness, bartering their birthright for whisky, and beg- 
ging for occasional crusts from the hands of their conquerors. 
For these it will not be necessary to continue a separate 
record. Their story can be sufiiciently told by occasional 
mention in the chapters devoted to the progress of the 
whites, and by description of the treaties by which the 
demoralized nation disposed of its broad domain. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE TREATY-MAKING PERIOD. 

Recapitulation — Michigan after the AVar — Gov. Cass — Bad Repute of 
the Territory — Change of the Indiana Boundary — Treaty of 1817 — 
Large Pottawattamie Delegations — Treaty of 1818 — Topinabee still 
the Head Chief — Treaty of 1821 — A Curious Incident — "Give us 
Whisky" — The Great Cession — Description of the Ceded Tract — 
Names of the Pottawattamie Signers — The Reservations — Location 
of " Marck-ke-saw-bee" — The Bounds insisted on by the Chief — 
Uneven Tracts still Remaining — The Consideration Paid for the 
Cession — New Land District — The Chicago Road — Primitive En- 
gineering — Good Fords selected by the Indians — The old Trading- 
Post — Marantello — Black Hawk and his Band — A Quarrel in 1825 
— The Boy's Victory — Prospecting Parties — First Settlements in 
Hillsdale and St. Joseph Counties— Treaty of 1827— Exchange of 
Territory — On the Verge of Settlement. 

Designing in this consecutive general history of the 
county to adhere as closely as possible to the chronological 



order, we have mentioned, in our chapters on the Pottawat- 
tamies, the transfer of Michigan from the French to the 
English, in 1703 ; its conveyance by England to the United 
States, at the end of the Revolution ; its becoming a part of 
the Northwest Territory, in 1787 ; the transference to Indi- 
ana of the western half, including Branch County, in 1800 ; 
the annexation of the eastern half to the same territory, in 
1802 ; and the separate organization of Michigan, in 1805. 
At the close of the war, in 1815, there was still only a nar- 
row fringe of settlement along the Detroit River and Lake 
Erie, and this was in a most desolate condition. Many had 
been driven away by fear of the Indians, the property of 
others had been largely destroyed, and all were thoroughly 
discouraged by the trouble, terror, and hardships through 
which they had passed. As for the interior of the Terri- 
tory, it was still in a state of nature. 

Gen. Lewis Cass had been appointed Governor immedi- 
ately after the battle of the Thames, and as soon as the 
close of the war gave him an opportunity he devoted him- 
self with great zeal to the development of the resources of 
the Territory and the promotion of emigration. Whatever 
may be thought of his political course, all the early resi- 
dents of Michigan agree that as the governor of a new 
Territory he could not have been excelled. 

There was a considerable emigration immediately after 
the war, but the Territory had obtained so bad a reputation 
for dampness of soil and badness of health that the flow of 
land-seekers was less than might have been expected, and 
did not even approach the borders of Branch County for 
many years. In fact, a law which had been passed by Con- 
gress in 1812, giving a large tract of Michigan land to sur- 
viving soldiers of the Revolution, was repealed after the 
war on account of a report made by inspectors sent to ex- 
amine the ground, that there was not enough good land in 
the Territory to satisfy the just claims of the beneficiaries. 

As stated in the previous chapter, the original line es- 
tablished between Indiana and Michigan in 1805 ran due 
east from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. But 
by the law of April 19, 1816, authorizing Indiana to form 
a State constitution, it was enacted that the boundary should 
run through a point ten miles north of the southern ex- 
tremity of the lake; the object doubtless being to give 
Indiana the port of Michigan City, which, however, has 
not been of much advantage. Thus it happened that 
Branch County, when it came to be formed, was ten miles 
shorter on the south than it would probably otherwise have 
been. 

Together with the oflBce of Governor of Michigan, Gen. 
Cass held that of Superintendent of Indian Aff'airs in the 
Northwest, and immediately after the close of the war turned 
his attention to the subject of the extinguishment of the In- 
dian title, so that the Territory might be open to settlement 
by the whites. In September, 1817, he and Gen. Duncan 
McArthur held a council with the sachems and chiefs of 
the Wyandots, Senecas, Ddawares, Shawnees, Pottawatta- 
mies, Ottaioas, and Chippetoas, at the rapids of the Mau- 
mee, when those nations ceded to the United States nearly 
all their lands in Ohio, and a small area in the southeastern 
part of Michigan. 

For the cession of these lands, in which the Potluwatta- 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



33 



mies had but a slight interest, tlicy received thirteen hun- 
dred dollars a year annually for fifteen years ; the W^aiidots 
being granted four thousand dollars annually forever ; the 
Otlawas and Chippeiijas a thousand dollars each annually 
for fifteen years, while the other tribes received smaller 
annuities. The treaty was signed by thirty-two Fotlaioat- 
tamic chiefs and warriors, while all the other tribes together 
were represented by about fifty. In fact, it was a charac- 
teristic of this tribe to have very large delegations at all 
the councils where their interests were brought in question. 
Judging from the number of their representatives, they 
were the most democratic people in the whole Northwest. 

In October, 1818, Gen. Cass and two other commis- 
sioners held a council with the Pol/awitlamies alone, by 
which the latter ceded to the United States a tract of land 
on the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers for a perpetual an- 
nuity of two thousand five hundred dollars per year. This 
treaty was signed by thirty-four chiefs and warriors, headed 
by old " Topinabee." In 1820, Henry R. Schoolcraft, the 
celebrated student of Indian customs and history, states 
that the I'ultawuttainies of both Illinois and Michigan 
" obeyed" Topinabee, an old man who had signed the 
Greenville treaty with Gen. Wayne. But the "obedience" 
of the Indians to their chiefs was always very indefinite, 
and after the close of the war of 1812, when the growing 
power of the United States relieved them from the constant 
fear of war with neighboring tribes, their tendency to 
wander off in small bands, each under the leadership of 
some petty chieftain, became more and more pronounced. 
In 1820 the Pottawattamies were estimated by Mr. School- 
craft at three thousand four hundred persons all told. 

But by far the most important of the treaties negotiated 
by Gen. Cass, so far as the destinies of Southern Michigan 
were concerned, was the one concluded at Chicago on the 
2ytli day of August, 1821. Hon. Solomon Sibley was as- 
sociated with the general as a commissioner on behalf of 
the United States, while the C/u'ppewas, Otlawas, and 
Pottawattamies, who were the contracting parties on the 
other side, were represented, the first-named tribe by two 
chiefs, the second by eight, and the Pottawattamies by 
fifty-five. That is to say, that was the number which 
signed the treaty, but there was also a large number of less 
prominent warriors present, with their squaws and pa- 
pooses, and these warriors, and even the .squaws, in the 
democratic constitution of Indian polity, could exercise a 
strong influence on the negotiations. 

A curious incident in connection with this council is 
narrated in Smith's " Life of Cass," as derived from the gen- 
eral himself While the latter was watching some peculiar 
ceremonies of the Indians in the early part of the proceed- 
ings, he observed a Chippewa looking very grave, and 
keeping apart from his fellows. Gov. Cass inquired the 
cause, and learned that the man, in a fit of passion, had 
killed a Pottawattamie in tlie early part of the same sea- 
son. The Pottawattamies had demanded the surrender of 
the murderer, and as the Cliippewas, and in fact the homicide 
himself, admitted the justice of the claim, it was expected 
that the clansmen of the murdered man would inflict the 
penalty of death. 

But the latter was owing some traders for goods received 
5 



of them, and he was anxious to pay them before he died. 
He solicited and obtained the postponement of his execution 
until he could, by hunting, procure the means of satisfying 
his creditors. lie had hunted succe.s.sfully through the 
season, had obtained furs enough to pay his debts, and had 
come to the council prepared to suffer death at the hands of 
the friends of his victim. The Governor was touched by 
the stolid honesty of the doomed man, and by liberal presents 
to his intended executioners persuaded them to let him go 
free. 

Probably an ample supjily of whisky was the principal 
consideration which induced them to forego their revenge ; 
for this was ever the most potent agent to reach their hearts. 
It is related, on the same authority above given, that even 
Topinabee, the hereditary chief of the Pottawattamies and 
the one who stood highest in their confidence, the veteran 
of nearly a hundred years who had signed the Greenville 
treaty with Anthony Wayne, was more anxious about ob- 
taining a supply of whisky than anything else. When 
Gen. Cass urged liim to keep .S(jbcr so as to make a good 
bargain for himself and his people, he replied : 

" Father, we do not care for the land, nor the money, nor 
the goods, — what we want is whisky ; give us whisky." 

Possibly, however, the old man spoke sarcastically, in 
view of the manifest anxiety of many of the Indians for 
that which was their deadliest bane. 

After the usual time spent in bargaining and adjusting 
details (for the Indians were by no means all of them so 
drunk as to lose sight of their interests), the terms of the 
treaty were agreed upon and reduced to writing. By it the 
Pottaioattamies as the actual occupaTits, and the Ottawas 
and Cliippewas as their allies, ceded to the United States a 
tract of land stretching nearly across the Territory of Mich- 
igan from west to east, and described as follows : Beginning 
on the south bank of the St. Joseph River of Michigan 
near " Pare aux Vaches" (a short distance above the 
mouth) ; thence south to a line running due east from the 
southern extremity of Lake Michigan ; thence along that 
line to the tract ceded by the treaty of Fort Meigs in 1817 
(which was far to the east of Hillsdale County), or, if that 
tract should be found to lie entirely south of the line, then to 
the tract ceded by the treaty of Detroit in 1807 (the west- 
ern boundary of which was twenty miles west of Lake Erie 
and the Detroit River) ; thence northward along that tract 
to a point due east of the source of Grand River; thence 
west to the source of that river ; thence down the river 
on the north bank to its junction with Lake Michigan ; 
thence southward along the east bank of the lake to the 
mouth of the St. Joseph River ; and thence up that river to 
the place of beginning. 

Below we give the names of the Pottaioattamie chiefs 
and warriors who signed the treaty of Chicago, both to 
show the original title of Branch County land (for the 
Ottawas and Chippewas were merely allies of the real 
owners, — at least so for as the land in this vicinity was 
concerned), and also to show what sort of names our pre- 
decessors indulged in. 

The list is headed by the veteran Topenabee, after whom 
came the following : Meteay, Chebonsee, Loinsou, Weesaw, 
Keepotaw, Schayankj Keebee, Schomang, Wawwemiuk- 



34 



UISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 



eiuaek, Nayimclioeuion, Kouirtv. Sheeshawgau, Ayshcaiii. 
Mcoksaviuaiik, Movtenwin-. Sliawwouuouiotav, Francois, 
Maiikse*?, ^Vayiuogo, MauJaumiuir. Quavguee, Aapeuhaw- 
be^, Matchawoeviias, MatehajH^irvrish, Moiigau, Piiggagaus, 
Stvfoobennish. Cheeg\Tauiaoks;\Tai^\ Wawsebbau. Peeoh- 
etvo. Quoiuiuoitaw. Roannish. AVyuoniaiir, Onnmckeiueck, 
Kawavsin, Ameckkose, Osseemeet, Shawkoto, Nc>sliaywee- 
quat, MtH'^unn, Maeshekoteunion. Keoiiotoiro, Wabawne- 
shon. Shawwawnayse, Atohwtvumekquoo, Pishsheobaugay, 
Wawbassiy, Meggesseese, Saygawkooniick, Shawwayuo, 
Sheeshawguu. Totoniee. Ashkuwet', Shayaukkeebw, Awbe- 
touoo. It" that array of uauios d<.>esn't give a good title to 
land it wore difficult to fiud oue thai would. 

From this oessiou wen? estvpted five reservations : one 
four miles square at Nottawa-seepe, in the present county 
of St- Joseph ; one three miles square at l^rairie Konde, in 
the present ci>unty of Kalamaioo ; oue three miles square at 
the head of the Kalamazoo River, near the line between 
H iUsdale and Jackson Counties : one six wiles squan? at 
3Iaugachqua, " on the river Peble ;" and one six miles s<.pare 
at Mick-ke-saw-bee. The last named was iu what is now 
Branch County, comprising the oas^teru two-thirvls of town- 
ship 6 south, range l> west ^^Coldwater^, and the easteru 
one-third of township 6, range 5 i, Quincy'>. 

VTheu the government surveyor, a year or two later, ran 
out the uewly-purvhasct.i laud into towushijxs, he was also in- 
structed to survey the lines of the reservation, the chiefe of 
the band which dwelt in the vicinity having the privilege of 
locating the Knindaries. The surveyor wanted to make 
square work and run the K'lundaries so they would come on 
section lines. The chiefe, however, objected to this^ and in- 
sisted that the western Knindary of the reservation should 
run CO rods west of the esist line of sections 5. S. 17. 20, 
29, and 32, in what is now Coldwater, and that the eastern 
boundary should run through the same sections in the 
pnjseut Quiuey. The surveyor was at length compelled to 
run the lines as desired by the chiefe. It is difficult to 
imagine the object of the latter, unless it was to save all the 
land possible by keeping out of both Marble and Coldwater 
Lakes. 

The outside kutd was subdivivled into sections and quarter- 
sections Wfore the reservation was ceded to the Vuited 
States ; aiterwarils the reservation was subdivided in the 
same mauuex. It resulted that the east halves of the sections 
named, iustestd of being divided into SO-acre and 40-acr« 
tracts, as is usually the case, wer* cut into 60-,-«cre and 100- 
acre tracts, and many of them retain that siie to the present 
time. Notwithstanding the words of the ttvaty, the siie of 
the reservation was at first iu some doubt iu the writ^-'s 
mind: but Mr. J. B. Tompkins, of Girar\I. an old surveyor, 
called our attention to the row of 60-acne (^or near 60-aci«^ 
tracts ruuuiug north and south through Quiner. just six 
miles from the corresponding row in Coldwater. and as this 
width corresponded to the language of the treaty, there could 
no longer be any reasonable question that the reservation was 
actually laid out six miles square. 

By the trea;y of Chicago, the United States agreed to 
pay the t)W«*-<is a thousand dijlars a Tear Rwevw, besides 
fifteen huadrvd dollars s year for fiftseu yesxrs, to support a 
blacksmith, teacher, aud farater. To (be f\ttttnc\tthtiHies 



the government agreed to pay five thousand dollars annually 
for twenty years, besides a thous;\nd dollars per year to sup- 
port a blacksmith aud teacher. These were some of the 
first provisions made by the government for the purpose of 
civiliiiiig the Indians. 

Such was the Iresity which gave the title of the land of 
Branch County to the United States, and, consequently, 
constitutes the kisis of all land-titles in that county except 
on the r«iervation. 

For several years after this treaty no settlement was made 
in Branch County, and the Indians did not confine them- 
selves at all to the reservations assigned them, but strayed 
at will through the forest aud over the prairies. They had 
a small village near the site of Coldw;iter. and a still smaller 
one near that of Girard, of which more will be said a litde 
farther on. 

In 1S23, the Detroit land district was divided and a land- 
office established at Monroe. The new district embraced not 
only the land in the immctliate vicinity of Monroe, but all 
that part of the territory west of the " priuciptil meridian" 
(^ which afterwards became the east line of Hillsdale County). 

A little later, through the influence of Gen. Cass, the 
general government ordered the construction of a read a 
hundred feet wide from Detroit to Chicago (with a branch 
from near Monroe, striking the main line near the eastern 
line of Hillsdale County^, aud appropriated ten thousand 
dollars to pay for a survey of it. 

In the spring of 1S25. the chief surveyor began his work, 
planning to run on nearly straight lines. He soon found, 
however, that if he followed this pliw. cutting a vista for 
his compass through the dense woods, and spending a large 
part of his time in hunting up good routes and good places 
for bridges, the money would all be expended before he 
should have half completed his task. So he determined to 
fbUv>w the •■ Chicago trail," the old pathway which the 
Indians Tiad followed from time immemorial in passing 
between Detroit and the point at the mouth of Chicago 
River wher* the great city of the West now stands. 

This he did so faithfxilly that it is said there was not an 
ancle, bend, or turn of the Indian trail which was not pr^ 
served by the '• Chicago Road," as the new thoroughfare 
was soon universally called. Some of these meanderings 
were allerwanls straightened by the authorities, and yet 
even now a glance at the map will show that ther* are an- 
gles tuough in the present rv»ad to give good reason fi.ir 
crediting this statement. The fl,<igmen were sent ahead as 
far as they could be seen, the bearings taken, the distance 
chained, and the results noted in the field4^x>k ; then the 
flagmen were again sent ahead, the .ixemen meantime blaiing 
the trees fifty fevt on each side of the central line. 

It was not a very bad plan, though it caused consJdeiaWe 
crookedness. The Indians had avoided the worst marshes, 
which were the principal obstructions to road-making, and. 
what was eijually important, they had selected the best 
toniing-places of the creeks and rivers that coold be tbund. 

The fords, too. had been improved by the squaws, who 
had carried gravel and small stones, year after year, in their 
" niococks," or bark baskets, waking solid the b<.>tton»s of 
the streams, so the ponies could cno^ without sinking in 
the mire, and soaking the scanty household goods, which 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



35 



were loaded upon them. The rond was luit opeiieJ liy the 
{!;overiinicnt for several yeai-s at'ler the survey, but the fact 
that it W!is surveyed and established as a road eaused emi- 
gration to follow that line, and the emigrants here and there 
did a little somethin-; toward niakirij^ it passable. 

As early as 1825, and probably before, there was a 
tradin-j-post established whore the Coldwater Cemetery (Oak 
drove) now is. The owners were Loranuer i^ Foster. In 
the year just named the late Mr. Maraiitello, of Mendon, 
St. Joseph Co., though then only a French stripling of 
eighteen, had charge of the po.st. At that time, as stated 
by .Mr. .Maraiitelle during his life, the Sues and /';x<'«, and 
perhaps other Western Indians, among whom the afterwards 
celebrated Black Hawk was the most prominent, were in 
the habit of going annually to Maiden, Canada, to obtain 
annuities allowed them by the British government. 

When returning from this trip in 1825, they stopped at 
the post in charge of Marantelle, to trade, that being the 
last one before reaching Chicago. They dismounted and 
tied their ponies, and in a few moments the room was full 
of braves and scjuaws. Black Hawk, armed with a long 
lance, stood grim and stately in their midst. The boy soon 
had his hands full selling his goods to his dark-skinned 
customers, and occ;isionally purchasing some article of forest 
produce which they had to .<ell. 

While the bargaining was at its height, a squaw oftcred 
to sell young Marantelle a fine smoked deer-skin, which he 
immediately recognized as one whidi he had bought a few 
days before, and which had his mark [Id | — ) on the 
corner. He immediately seized and claimed it, but the 
S(|ua\v clung to the other end, and both pulled lustily at 
the coveted article. The Indians began to crowd around. 
Black Hawk advanced with impressive mien through the 
throng, and laid his lance across the skin ; either designing 
to command the peace or possibly purposing to end the 
dispute by taking possession of the contested article himself. 
But Marantelle immediately picked up another deer-skin 
from his pile, and laying it down beside the one claimed by 
the Sfjuaw, showed the two corresponding marks to Black 
Hawk and his braves. 

" How ! How !" exclaimed the chieftain, lifting his lance 
and relinquishing the skin to the bold boy. " How ! How !" 
cried all the Indians and squaws, as they drove the dishonest 
one out of doors, and then returned more eager to buy than 
before. So pleased were they with young Marantolle's be- 
havior, that before they left they purchased between five 
and six hundred dollars' worth of goods. 

As early as 1S2G, a few prospecting-parties began to pass 
westward along the Chiciigo road, looking for the best places 
for settlement, some of them going through as far as Lake 
Michig;in. There was still, however, no white man, save 
an occasional Indian trader, residing west of Lenawee 
County, in the Territory of Michigan. In November, 
1821"), the territory of Branch County Wi>s brought under 
municipal jurisdiction by an act of the legislative council, 
which declared that all the country within the territory to 
which the Indian title was extinguished by the treaty of 
Chicago should be attached to and compose a part of the 
county of Lenawee. On the 12lh of April, 1827, another 
act enacted that all the territory thus annexed to Lenawee 



County should constitute the township of St. Joseph. This 
township must have contained at least ten thousand square 
miles. 

In the spring of that year (1827), the first settlement 
was made in Hillsdale County, at Allen's Prairie, and the 
same season the earliest pioneers of St. Joseph County lo- 
cated on White Pigeon Prairie. Six or eight other emi- 
grants passed through the territory now constituting liranch 
County, and nnide their homes iti St. Joseph. The rea.son 
evidently was because the Wiek-ke-saw-bee reservation in- 
closed one of the largest prairies, lying near the centre of 
the county, on both sides of the Chicago road, and people 
did not desire to settle in the immediate vicinity of it. 

Strenuous efforts were made to concentrate all the Indians 
of the various reservations before mentioned on a single 
tract, and in September, 1827, a treaty was concluded to 
that effect. It recited that it was desirable that the Indians 
should be removed from the Chicago road, where they were 
in constant contact with the stream of white emigration, for 
which and other reasons they ceded to the United States all 
the tracts reserved by the treaty of Chicago except that at 
Nottawa-seepe in St. Joseph County, and received in return 
a large addition to that reserve, bringing it up to ninety- 
nine sections, which lacked but seven sections of being as 
much as the area of all tin; reservations had been. This 
treaty was not signed by Topeiiabec. The list of signatures 
was headed by Pee-nai-shei.sh, or Little Bird, followed by 
" Peerish Morain," a Frenchman, who had become a chief 
of the Pol I II wall amies. 

This brings us to the verge of settlement in this county. 
Before entering on a description of the pioneer period, how- 
ever, a chapter will be devoted to a delineation of the situa- 
tion in which the first white settlers found the territory 
now comprising the county of Branch. 



CHAPTER VIL 

THE SITUATION AT SETTLEMENT. 

The Primeval Forest — Prairies ami Openings — Ciiliiwatcr— Cocoosh 
anil Bronson's Prairies — Surface and Soil — Rivers an J Lakes— Old 
Wounds and Fortifications — The Supposed Mound-Builders — Re- 
marks regarding them — The PotUiicutinmica again — The .Vo(/<iira 
Indians — Pierre Moreau — Sun-an-qitftt — Wandering llahits of tlie 
Indians — Their Villages in Branch County — Their Houses — 
Squaws, Boys, and Papooses — Indian Hunters — Indian Tr.iiis. 

In the year 1828, when the first permanent white settlers 
located themselves in the territory now constituting the 
county of Branch, they found a tract of mingled forest and 
prairie, seldom, if ever, surpassed in fertility or in beauty. 
More than half of the district in question — the ground- 
work, so to say, of the landscape — was a dense forest of 
oak, elm, beech, maple, black walnut, whitewood, and some 
minor varieties of trees. The two last-named species were 
especially noticeable for their large size and fine quality. 
This forest was diversified by several fine prairies. Near 
the centre of the present township of Coldwater Wiis one 
about three miles long, east and west, and near a mile and 
a half wide, north and south, at the broadest place ; the city 



36 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of Coldwater now occupying its eastern end. This prairie, 
like the others in the vicinity, was not exactly what a resident 
of Iowa or Kansas would call a prairie ; that is, it was not 
an absolutely treeless expanse. There were many burr-oak 
and other trees scattered here and there over its surface, and 
in some places, especially near the edges of the heavy 
timber, these were so numerous that these places were more 
properly designated as oak openings than as prairies. 

Some three miles north of Coldwater Prairie, in township 
5 south, range 6 west (now Girard), were two prairies 
known as " Cocoosh" and " West Cocoosh." Cocoosh was 
the Indian name for hog, and the whites adopted their appel- 
lation for the two prairies, though unfortunately, the streau) 
which meanders through them has received the less musical 
name of Hog Creek. Cocoosh Prairie, which included the 
site of Girard village, contained about a thousand acres. 
West Cocoosh, about a mile directly west of the former, was 
somewhat smaller. 

South of Coldwater Prairie fur sis miles, was a heavy 
belt of the finest timber, principally whitewood and black 
walnut, running east and wast tlirough the county. Many 
of these trees were so large that when afterwards cut down 
and taken to mill, it was necessary to hew them down 
considerably before they could pass through an old-fashioned 
perpendicular saw-gate. 

Still south of the timber belt just mentioned, the remain- 
ing territory of the present county was occupied principally 
by a heavy forest, broken by occasional small prairies and 
openings. Of the prairies, the principal was the one since 
known as Bronson's Prairie, in the township of the same 
name. It was about three-fourths of a mile wide north 
and south, and full a mile long from east to west. This, 
unlike some of the others, was a regular Western prairie, 
what there was of it, with scarcely a tree upon it. 

The surface of the future county was level compared 
with the eastern country, from which most of the emigrants 
came, but did not quite match the sameness of an Illinois 
prairie. In the central portions there were few undula- 
tions, but in the northeast and southwest occasional hills 
were seen, though none sufficient to interfere with culti- 
vation. 

The soil of the prairies was generally a dry, black, rich 
loam, changing into a somewhat level, sandy loam in the 
openings, and showing an admixture of clay in the heavy 
timber. 

The general, though slight, slope of the land was to the 
westward ; all the streams being tributary to the St. Joseph 
River, which, having started on its course in Hillsdale 
County, and made its way northwest into Calhoun (barely 
touching the northeast corner of the present township of 
Butler), turns to the southwest, enters Branch County 
eight miles east from the northwestern corner, pursues an 
almost directly southwest course, and passes out nearly 
seven miles south from that corner. Thence it makes a 
long detour southward, but returns to the north and enters 
Lake Michigan at St. Joseph, a little farther north than 
the northern line of this county, having flowed a distance 
of two hundred miles besides its minor windings. 

Its principal tributary in the territory which forms the 
subject of this work was the Coldwater River, the two 



branches of which both began their course in the present 
township of California, ran northwestward a few miles apart 
through various lakes and united their waters in township 
6, range 6 (Coldwater), just above the point where the 
Chicago trail crossed the combined stream, which continued 
thence in the same general course through another scries 
of lakes, till it joined the St. Joseph, half a mile after its 
entrance into the county, at the place where Union City 
now stands. The whole distance from the head of either 
of the branches to the mouth of the river, was about thirty- 
five miles. 

" Cocoosh" Creek, as the Indians called it, though their 
prosaic successors insist on denominating it Hog Creek, 
rose in the edge of Hillsdale County, meandered through 
the present townships of Quincy, Butler, and Girard, and 
united with Coldwater River, in the eastern edge of the 
township of Union. The territory of the present townships 
of Bethel, Batavia, and Mattison, with part of Bronson, 
were drained by the waters of Swan Creek and Little Swan 
Creek, which united with each other and with the St. 
Joseph River shortly after entering St. Joseph County. 
Farther south, Prairie River, finding its source in a cluster 
of beautiful lakes on the Indiana line, flowed northwest- 
wardly through the present towns of Gilead, Bethel, and 
Bronson, making its exit from the county six miles north 
from the southwest corner, and passing on until it entered 
the St. Joseph, two miles below the site of the city of Three 
Rivers ; its total length being about fifty miles. The lakes 
which formed the head-waters of Fawn River were close to 
those which flowed into Prairie River, in the present town- 
ship of Kinderhook, but the former stream immediately 
passed into Indiana, returning and crossing the southwest 
corner of the present township of Noble (and of Branch 
County) and finding its way into the St. Joseph, a few 
miles below the mouth of Prairie River, after a tortuous 
course of about the same length as the latter stream. 

In describing the rivers and creeks it has been necessary 
to make frequent mention of the lakes. These were a most 
interesting feature of the country. The hunter, the Indian- 
trader, the land-seeker, as he made his toilsome way across 
the prairie or through the " openings," frequently found 
his steps arrested by a small sheet of water, lying silent 
and sparkling in the sunlight, around which a detour of 
from one to five miles must be made ere he could continue 
on his former course. Still more noticeable was the scene 
when he had been plodding for miles through the dense 
forest, the giant whitewoods and black walnuts shutting out 
almost every glimpse of the sun, and the air below heavy 
with the heat of an American summer. A glimpse of light 
is seen ahead, a few eager strides are made, and the trav- 
eler emerges on the shore of a bright little lake, perhaps 
half a mile in diameter, its pellucid waters shut in by the 
darksome wood on every side, displaying by the contrast its 
glowing beauty in bolder relief, while wild fowl rise scream- 
ing from its surfoce at sight of the stranger, and perchance 
an antlered deer, drinking at the margin, stands for a mo- 
ment, with head flung back in startled indignation, 

"Like chief who hears his warder's call," 

and then bounds away at headlong speed into the forest. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 



37 



Of these lakes and ponds, no less than sixty-nine were to 
be found in the embryo county of Branch, from the dimin- 
utive sheet of water which scarcely made a pcrcejitiblc open- 
ing in the forest up to CoKlwator Lake (tlio southeniniost 
one of that name) on the line between townships 7 and 
8, ranijc (i, — Ovid and Kindcrhonk, — which was about 
three miles long and from half a mile to two miles wide. 
The lakes were more numerous and of larger average size 
in the southern part of the county, fractional township 
8 in range G (now Kinderliook ) being particularly well 
supplied with them. Besides Coldwater Lake, before men- 
tioned, the larger ones in the county were two connected 
together in the presant townships of Coldwater and Girard, 
which also received the name of Coldwater ; one in Matti- 
sou, called Mattison Lake; one in Sherwood, named Sher- 
wood Lake ; one in Quincy and Algansee, called Marble 
Lake ; two in Ovid, known as Long Lake and Lake of the 
Woods; two in Gilcad, called Gilead Lake and Island 
Pond ; two in Kinderhook, known as Silver Lake and 
Fish Lake ; and one on the line between Kinderhook and 
Indiana, bearing the appellation of Lake George. 

Around these lakes and through the forest the deer 
roamed in large immbers. Here, too, at night was heard 
the howling of innumerable wolves, always apparently hun- 
gry and seeking with ill success for food, their piincijial 
reliance being some superannuated or crippled deer which 
they were able to overtake. Occasionally a black bear 
rolled his unwieldy form beneath the trees, fattening him- 
self on acorns, walnuts, etc., in summer, and retiring in 
winter to some hollow oak to live on the accumulated capi- 
tal of his own flesh. At still rarer intervals, the shrill 
scream of the panther, fiercest of American beasts, was 
heard afar in the forest, making all other animals tremble 
with fear, and startling even the Indian warrior with 
the prospect of more than ordinary danger. 

Raccoons, squirrels, and other small animals abounded ; 
wild turkeys trooped in noisy squadrons through the un- 
dergrowth, wild geese and ducks in spring and autumn 
often covered the surface of the placid lakes, while amid 
the branches of the trees flitted thousands of smaller birds, 
of varied song and diverse size, and many-hued plumage. 
On the ground, besides some harmless varieties of ser- 
pents, the deadly rattlesnake, generally of the " moccasin" 
species, made its tortuous way, preluding its fatal stroke 
with the warning note which distinguishes it from all rep- 
tiles. 

But by far the most important occupants of the county 
at the time of settlement were the Indians. Before, how- 
ever, describing their situation at that time, perhaps it will 
be well to make brief mention of some relics believed by 
many to indicate the existence here of a.much more highly 
civilized race than the red men found by the early ex- 
plorers. We approach this subject with much diffidence, 
for the ascertained facts are really very few and trivial, so 
far as this section is concerned, while the theories which 
have been built upon them are so extensive as to tend to 
overawe any one who has not made the subject a special 
study. 

First, as to the facts. In this county, as in various other 
parts of the St. Joseph Valley and throughout the region 



of the great lakes, there were found by the first settlers 
numerous mounds, some of which were evidently places of 
sepulture, while others had every appearance of having 
originally been erected as fortifications. Hon. E. G. Fuller 
has described to us several of these mounds, now almost 
obliterated, as they were when he first saw them. They 
are located on ground now belonging to Mrs. Reid, in the 
township of Girard, near the road from Coldwater to Union 
City. At the time of settlement, the largest one was fifteen 
or twenty feet high, and about six rods in diameter. The 
next largest was eight or ten feet high and near four rods 
in diameter. Oaks two feet thick were growing on the top 
of the larger mound. In one of them a few bones and 
some rude stone implements were found, but not many of 
either. Besides these and some smaller mounds there was 
also a small fort, about six rods in diameter, inclosed with 
a wall only a few feet high. Similar remnants of other 
days have been found in Bronson and in other parts of 
the county. In St. Joseph County they are still more 
numerous. 

Similar works are found all along the shores of the great 
lakes, as far east as the foot of Lake Ontario. As we go 
southward the works become more extensive and elaborate, 
and in the vicinity of the Ohio, they arc so large as to have 
attracted the most earnest attention of scientific men. It 
has long been a matter of general credence, that these were 
built by some race anterior and superior to the Indians, to 
whom, for lack of any other name, has been given the 
appellation of " Mound- Builders." 

Many, too, believe that the slighter mounds and forts 
erected in the lake-country were the productions of the 
same people, but of this there is considerable doubt. In 
fact, the generally trivial character of the works in the lake- 
country, compared with those on and near the Ohio, natur- 
ally raises the presumption that the former were not built 
by the same race as the latter. Moreover, the northern 
structures are certainly such as could have been erected by 
the Indians, whether they were or not. True, the Indians 
were not in the habit of building earthen fortifications 
when the whites first settled in America, but they did build 
very elaborate palisades out of logs cut down with their 
stone-axes, and this required much more labor and skill 
than the construction of a small earthen fort. 

It should be observed, too, that while the fortifications 
and mounds throughout the lake region are all of a com- 
paratively trivial character, and could easily have been con- 
structed by a barbarous race, yet within a hundred miles of 
Lake Erie — noticeably at Newark, Ohio — we find far 
more important works, giving evidence that civilized or at 
least half-civilized men designed their form and superin- 
tended their erection. It is, of course, also well known 
that a half-civilized race, with numerous important buildings 
and fortifications, were found in Mexico by the Spaniards. 

It does not seem improbable, therefore, that a half-civil- 
ized race did once occupy the Ohio Valley and construct 
the mighty works found there, while the shores of the great 
lakes (and the peninsula which lies between two of them) 
were held by the ancestors of the modern Indians. The 
latter would naturally imitate their powerful neighbors, and 
build intrenchments to protect themselves against them (as 



38 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the Creeks and Ckoctmcs built breastworks in imitation of 
the whites at Talladega and Hurse-Shoe Bend, to guard 
against the troops of Gen, Jackson). When the " Mound- 
Builders" disappeared from the Ohio Valley (either on ac- 
count of internecine wars, or from a desire to migrate to a 
milder clime, or for some other unknown reason) and the 
Indians spread over all this portion of the continent, the 
latter would naturally cease to build the fortifications in- 
tended as a defense against their half-civilized ibes, and 
content themselves with the palisades, which were sufficient 
for their bow-aud-arrow warfare. 

This is only a crude and hastily-constructed theory, yet 
it seems difficult otherwise to account for the very marked 
diiference between the immense and elaborate structures 
found near the Ohio and the comparatively insignificant 
ones which line the shores of the great lakes and of the 
rivers which empty into them. 

Let us turn to the Indians who were in the territory of 
Branch County at the time of its settlement by the whites. 
These were almost entirely our old friends, the Puttawal- 
tamles, though a few Ottaicas and still fewer Chifpewas 
had drifted down from the north and had permanently 
located themselves among their ancient confederates. They 
were sometimes called the Nottawa Indians, because their 
principal abiding-place was the village of Nuttawa-soepe, 
around which, after 1827, was the only reservation they 
had iu Michigan. 

Topenabe, so long the head chief of the I'oltawnttamies, 
was not yet dead, as will appear by subsequent treaties, but 
had doubtless become too old and infirm to exercise the 
duties of active leadership, as his name does not appear 
among the signers of the treaty of 1827. Penaishees, or 
Little Bird, whose name appears at the head of the list, 
was afterwards recognized as head chief of the Fot/awalta- 
mies, but the principal man among the Notlawa portion of 
the tribe was the second signer of the treaty of 1827, 
whose name appears there as " Pierish" Moran, or Morau, 
but who is by some called Pierre Moreau, a full-blood 
Frenchman or French Canadian, said to have been of good 
family and good education. 

In early life he began business as a merchant in Detroit 
and failed. He took the remnant of his goods to the St. 
Joseph River and began trading with the Foltawattamies. 
His goods were soon used up, but by this time he had 
acquired a strong influence over the Nottawa band and a 
.strong liking for Indian habits. He married an Indian 
woman, lived with the Indians, dressed like an Indian, 
became practically an Indian in everything but color, and 
did not difi'er much from his red comrades even in that. 
His influence steadily increased, and he became at length 
the head of the Nottawa band. 

An Indian named Cush-e-wees is said to have been the 
hereditary chief of the band, but was supplanted by the 
superior intelligence of Moreau. In 1828, the latter had 
become old, decrepit, and to some extent imbecile, and 
Cush-e-wees sought to regain his lost authority. He was 
resisted, however, by Sau-au-quett (or Sau-quett, as he was 
commonly called by the whites), the oldest son of Moreau 
by his Indian wife. Sauquett was at that time a remarkably 
fine-looking, stalwart half-breed, six feet three inches high. 



straight and well-proportioned, with a keen intelligence, a 
strong will, an imposing address, and winning manners; 
but unprincipled and, like nearly all his people, very fond 
of whisky. 

Sauquett's skillful management gave him a decided ad- 
vantage over Cush-e-wees, notwithstanding the legitimate 
descent of the latter. Even during the life of old Moreau, 
Sauquett was generally recognized as the head of the In- 
dians on the reservation atColdwater, which was commonly 
called " Sauquett's Reservation." After Nottawa-seepe 
was made the headquarters of all the Pott awatt amies, etc., 
of Southern IMichigan, and especially after his father's 
death, the exact date of which is not known, Sauquett 
became practically the head of the band, though a minority 
still adhered to Cush-e-wees. The feud between the rival 
factions generated much bad blood, and, in connection 
with other matters, afterwards caused considerable blood- 
shed. 

Notwithstanding the exchange of Sauquett's Reservation 
for an addition to that at Nottawa-seepe, the Indians, who 
had dwelt in tlie territory of Branch County, still continued 
to occupy their old homes, at least during a large portion 
of the time. It is impossible to say how many there were 
who might fairly be considered as Branch County Indians, 
as they were closely connected with those at Nottawa-seepe, 
and many of them were frequently going back and forth 
between the two localities. All of the band usually moved 
at least twice a year ; raising their com and beans in this 
locality in the summer, and removing to some distant hunt- 
ing-ground in the winter, where the game was entirely 
undisturbed. Generally they came back in the spring to 
the localities they had left in the fall, but not always. 

There was a small village at Mick-ke-saw-be or Cold- 
water, and another on Cocoosh Prairie, now Girard. The 
latter locality must have been occupied by them many 
years, as there were several well-grown apple-trees there. 
The writer has tried several times to obtain from old set- 
tlers a description of the lodges or houses of the Potta- 
wattamies in this vicinity, but they were of such a nonde- 
script character that the task has been extremely difficult. 
They seem to have been made of anything that came to 
hand. Sometimes, though rarely, a few logs were piled 
up and a bark roof placed upon them. More often some 
crotched poles were set up and others laid upon them to 
make the frame ; the structure being completed by a bark 
roof and bark sides. If a piece of tent-cloth had been 
obtained anywhere, it usually supplied the place of bark as 
far as it would go. Sometimes one of the smaller cabins 
was occupied by a single family, but more often they were 
built twenty or thirty feet long and occupied by several 
families together. 

Around these, on a summer day, might have been seen 
the Indian braves lying at ease in the sun, while their 
patient squaws worked in the patches of corn and beans 
and pumpkins, which were usually fenced in with a row 
of stakes fastened together with strips of bark, to keep out 
the Indian ponies ; sometimes as many as ten acres being 
thus inclosed. Here, too, might be seen " eight little, nine 
little, ten little Indian boys" running about with miniature 
bows and arrows, shooting with remarkable accuracy at the 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



39 



birds which flitted around. Here, too, were still smaller 
children, naked a-s they were born, playing in the sun, while 
briuht-eved jKijKmses, strapped upon lioard.s (to insure the 
straij:htne.ss of the future warriorsj and leaned against trees, 
watched the animated scene around. 

Despite the apparent indoleiK-,! and selfishness with which 
the Indians watched the labors of the squaw.s, it .should by 
no means be understood that the former shirked all the 
duties of life. In accordance with iinnn-niorial custom, the 
work of the field devolved upon the weaker sex, but then 
there was little labor to be done in the field, and the toils 
of war and the chase were supposed to include " the whole 
duty of man." Of the pleasures of war the Pottawattamics 
had been largely deprived since their complete conquest by 
the United States, but the chase still remained. When the 
leaves of the forest assumed their myriad hues beneath the 
breath of autumn, and still more when the white mantle of 
winter covered all the land, the l'ut(aw<ittii»iie brave girded 
his loins for the severest toils. Over hill and dale, over ice and 
snow, through chilling stream and tangled undergrowth, he 
pursued the track of the deer with unwavering patience and 
unflinching endurance. 

Arriving at length in the vicinity of his intended vic- 
tim {(.he nearness of which he could discern with extraor- 
dinary sagacity), his approaches were made with a skill 
surpassing that of the profoundest military strategist. 
Creeping slowly and .stealthily, with half-frozen feet, a mile 
or more to gain the -side of the doomed animal away from 
the wind ; lying prone in a snow-bank to lull the half- 
aroused su.spicions of the quarry ; standing so quiet behind 
a tree that he seems frozen to it, he at length gains the 
wished-for opportunity, and a bullet from his rifle brings 
the stately monarch of the forest to the ground. With a 
yell in which lingers some of the glory of the old scalp- 
hunting times, he bounds forward to cut the throat of the 
victim, and then, after hanging the carcass on a tree, out of 
reach of wolves, presses on with undiminished ardor to 
fresh toils and fresh conquests. Perhaps he returns and 
carries the carcass to camp, but quite as likely he merely 
informs his s((uaw (or squaws) of its whereabouts, who skin 
and quarter it, and carry it home. 

Though accustomed to the most distant and most uncer- 
tain excursions in search of game, yet in traveling from 
one well-known locality to another, the Indians usually fol- 
lowed one trail in all its windings, marching in the well- 
known " Indian file," and with their own and their ponies' 
feet wearing a hard deep path into the earth. Besides the 
great Chicago trail before mentioned, another ran northwest 
from Fort Wayne to Lake Michigan, cro.ssing the former on 
the site of Coldwater. Fifteen years after the settlement 
by the whites, the Fort Wayne trail could still be seen, 
barely wide enough for an Indian pony to walk in, but 
worn six inches below the surface of the ground. Still 
another ran from the Nottawa-seepe Reservation in St. Jo- 
seph County through Bronson and Gilead to Suscopicon 
Prairie ni Indiana, and there were others of less importance 
in various parts of the county. 

Having given an outline of the condition of afluirs at 
the time of the first settlement of Branch County by the 
whites, we now turn to note the arrival of the pioneers. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

FROM SErrLEMENT TO ORGANIZATION OP 
COUNTY. 

The First ScUIlt— Bronson ant] Bron8on"s Prairie — Phincas Bonner, 
the Wiinclerin;; Welshiaiin— First Settlement in Oirard— The First 

^ti,il The First School— Formation uf Branch County— Derivation 

of N.itn;- .\ttiolieJ t) St. Joseph County — Formation of Green 
Townshi|i — It- Impetial Dimensions— First Town-Meeting— First 
OfHccrs— First Justice and Post miister— Toole's Saw-Mill— Bolton 
and iMorse— First Physician- Navigating the St. Joseph— First 
Record of ({recn— Locating the County-Seat at Old Coldwater— A 
Serious Informality— New Arrivals- The First Stages— Wales 
Adams, Allen Tibb ts, and Harvey Warner- First Frame Build- 
ing—Marsh's Trading-post — Columbia — Lancaster— Second Town- 
Meeting — New Land-district — Relocation of County -Seal — i^ticking 
the Stake in the Wilderness — Laying out of Branch Village — In- 
crease of Population— Old Records — Establishment of Road Dis- 
tricts—First Road Record— Dispute with an Indian — The Squaws 
an 1 the Aiiplc-Trecs— The Indian Boy and the Horses — The First 
Merchant — Third To wn-.Meoting— Supervisor's Account- Record 
of the Meeting- Record of Town Auditors— Bishop Chase— E.K- 
traet from his Autobiography — Uis Residence in Gilead — The 
Black Hawk War— Militia Called Out— Jones's Battalion — Copy 
of the Roll— /'o»!("ir((it«iiV» at Orangeville— Another Draft of 
Militia — Cheek on Emigration — Green Township Divided— Fii!-t 
Grist-Mill- Hotels and Wolf-Scalps- Law Organizing Branch 
County. 

It was in the spring of 1828 that the first permanent 
white settler located himself within the limits of the pres- 
ent county of Branch. This was " Jabe" Bronson, for so 
he always signed his name, — not Jabez as it has sometimes 
been printed. Mr. Bronson had already reached middle 
age, was a ship-carpenter by trade, and had previously 
built vessels on Lake Erie. He had made his way to 
White Pigeon, St Joseph Co., the year before (1827), 
where he had raised a crop of corn, but in 1828 he made 
a permanent location on what was long known as Bronson's 
Prairie, a little south of the present village of Bronson, in 
the town,ship of the same name. There he built a log 
house and opened a tavern. 

His wife had been a widow — a Mrs. Potter — previous to 
his marriage with her, and they were accompanied to Branch 
County by her four children, John, Abial, Emma, and Laura 
Potter, all adults or nearly so. John Potter soon established 
an Indian trading-post at Bronson's Prairie. He seemed to 
have a peculiar faculty for that business, and ere long be- 
came able to speak the I'uttitwnltamie language with con- 
siderable facility. 

It is believed that Scth Dunham also located at Bronson's 
Prairie in 1S2S, though perhaps not till the next year, lie 
was also a ship-carpenter. His residence was at the west 
end of the present village of Bronson, his place being now 
owned by Mr. Ruggles. It had previously been occupied 
by a " squatter," but his name is unknown, and as he only 
remained a short time he can hardly be considered as a 
" settler," though he might pass as a pioneer. Either 
Dunham or his predecessor set out there the first orchard 
in the county. 

Another emigrant who scarcely comes within the defini- 
tion of a settler, — in fact, a very unsettled person indeed, — 
was a Welshman named Phineas Bonner, who with his 
family located himself on Four-Mile Creek, in the present 
township of Batavia. It is not known exactly when he 



40 



IIISTOIJY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



came into the county, and he may possibly have preceded 
Ijionsun ; but as the time of the advent of the latter is 
known, and as Bonner was as much Indian-trader as any- 
thing else, Bronson is put down as the first settler, Indian- 
traders not being counted in that category. He is said by 
Wales Adams, Esq., who knew him, to have been a man of 
considerable intelligence, who had perhaps been a sailor. 
He told of many travels on the Old Continent, of coasting 
along the shores of the Mediterranean, and visiting the 
imperial city of Constantinople, and was currently reputed 
to iiave run away from a school which he was teaching in 
Ohio, with one of his female pupils, whom he made his 
wife. 

While here, he acted the part of both farmer and trader, 
raising corn, which he sold to the Indians for furs, and 
sending the latter where they could be sold for money. In a 
short time he removed to a point in the woods, a mile or two 
east of the site of Coldwater. But his restless, wanderiujr 
disposition still clung to him. He made no attempt to 
acquire land, and when, after a few years, the county con- 
tained thirty or forty families, he considered it as too 
crowded for him, and moved on to some more roomy loca- 
tion. 

The first settler in the county (except Bonner), away 
from Brouson's Prairie, was Richard W. Corbus, who came 
to the present township of Girard in the year 1829. He 
was accompanied by his mother and his niece. The latter, 
now Mrs. Sarah Ann Smith, is still living at Quincy, and is 
the earliest surviving resident of the county. They lived 
several months in a deserted wigwam ; then moved into a 
log house and lived there a year or more, without a single 
white neighbor in the township. 

In the spring of 1829, Jeremiah Tillotson located him- 
self near Bronson, and also began keeping tavern. By the 
fact of two taverns being opened close to each other, it may 
reasonably be presumed that there was considerable travel 
over the Chicago road. This is also known from other 
sources. There was already quite a settlement at White 
Pigeon, and during the summer of this year, the first 
mail-route was established we.st of Lenawee County. It 
was from Tecumseh, in that county, to White Pigeon. 
The contractor was John Michell, of the latter place, and 
his contract required him to carry the mail once a week 
each way in the summer, and once every two weeks in the 
winter. During 1829 the method of transportation was on 
horseback. 

John Toole was another emigrant of 1829, who located 
at Bronson, and there were probably five or six families 
there in all, as in the winter of 1829-30. Toole taught a 
small school there, — unquestionably the first in the county. 
In fact, there was no one living in the county, away from 
the vicinity of Bronson's Prairie, except our Fottawattamie 
friends, the occupants of the French trading-post on Cold- 
water River, Mr. Corbus' family in Girard, and the wan- 
dering adventurer, Phineas Bonner. 

Up to this time, the territory of Branch County, and 
indeed the whole southwestern part of Michigan, had com- 
prised the township of St, Joseph's, which was a part of the 
county of Lenawee. On the 29th day of October, 1829, 
however, a law was passed by the Legislative Council of 



Michigan, and approved by the Governor, forming the 
counties of Washtenaw, Ingham, Eaton, B.iriy, Jackson, 
Calhoun, Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Hillsdale, Branch, St. 
Joseph, Cass, and Berrien. The tenth .section read as fol- 
lows : 

" That so much of the country as lies west of the line 
between ranges four and five, west of the meridian, and 
east of the line between ranges eight and nine west, and 
south of the line between townships four and five, south of 
the base-line, and north of the boundary-line, between this 
Territory and the State of Indiana, be and the same is 
hereby set off into a .separate county, and the name there- 
of shall be Branch." 

This name was derived from that of Hon. John Branch, 
of North Carolina, who, on the preceding 4th of March, 
had been appointed Secretary of the Navy of the United 
States by the new President, Gen. Andrew Jackson. The 
formation of a countj', however, as our readers arc prob- 
ably aware, by no means indicated the immediate existence 
of a county organization ; it merely showed that, in the 
judgment of the legislative council, the district thus desig- 
nated, bounded and named would make a very good county 
at some future time. These inchoate counties were usually 
attached to more populous ones for all legal purposes until 
such times as they should themselves have a sufficient 
number of inhabitants to justify their being provided with 
county organizations. 

In the present case an act was passed on the -Ith day of 
November, 1829, six days after the establishment of the 
thirteen counties before named, organizing two of the num- 
ber, St. Joseph and Cass. Branch, Kalamazoo, Barry, and 
Eaton Counties, together with an immense unorganized and 
unoccupied tract extending north nearly to the Strait of 
Mackinaw, were attached to St. Joseph County. The next 
day (Nov. 5, 1829) an act was approved forming several 
new town.ships of imperial extent. The fifth section read 
as follows : 

"That the counties of Branch, Calhoun, and Eaton, and 
all the country lying north of the county of Eaton, which 
are attached to and form a part of the county of St. Jo.seph, 
shall form a township of the name of Green, and the first 
township-meeting shall be held at the house of Jabez 
Bronson, in said township." 

Thus the log tavern of " Jabe" (for we adhere to his 
signature in spite of the law) Bronson became the capital 
of an empire reaching from the boundary of Indiana to the 
southern line of the county of Mackinaw. 

There are no original records extant showing when that 
first township-meeting was held, but from a copy of the 
account of the supervisor of the township of Green, in- 
serted in the forepart of the oldest town-book of Coldwater, 
there is reason for believing that it was held on the 10th 
day of February, 1830. At all events that account de- 
clared that it ran from the 10th day of February, 1830, 
to the 1st day of April, 1832. 

But whether held in February, or at the usual time, in 
April, there is no reasonable doubt but that the first town- 
ship meeting in the county was held at the house of Jabe 
Bronson, in the forepart of 1830, instead of at the Po- 
cahontas (or Black Hawk) Mill, two years later, as has 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



41 



often been asserted. A fall set of township ofiScers was 
elected. The record of their election is lost, but the above- 
mentioned account corroborates this statement, and Wales 
Adams, who came in September rolluwin^, fnuiid them ex- 
ercisinir the duties of their office. They are not all known, 
but Seth Dunham was elected .supervisor, John Morse 
township clerk, and John G. Rieliard.son constable and col- 
lector. About the same time Jabe Bronson was appointed 
the first justice of the peace in the county by the Gov- 
ernor, and the first postmaster by the President. His jus- 
tice-office and post-office were both, of course, at liis log 
tavern on Brouson's Prairie. 

In the spring of 1830, Schoolmaster Toole began the 
erection of a saw-mill on the west branch of Coldwater 
River, a short distance above where the village of Branch 
was afterwards laid out. Tlie location was for several years 
called Pocahontas Mills, but has since been known as Black 
Hawk Mills. This was the first enterprise of the kind 
undertaken in the county. The work moved slowly, as 
Mr. Toole was not very well supplied with funds. During 
the summer he admitted to partnership with him Soth 
Dunham, John Allen (from Allen's Prairie, Hillsdale 
County, brother of the original settler there), and one or 
two others. Later in the season Toole became discouraged 
and left, the county. The others coniinued the work, but 
the mill was not completed till the spring of 1831. 

In March, 1830, Abram F. Bolton and John Morse 
came with their families and built a log house on the Chi- 
cago road, where it cro.sscd the line between sections twenty- 
three and twentj'-four, in the present township of Coldwater. 
As soon as it was built, Morse began keeping tavern in it. 
He was in Bolton's employ. The latter, who was a man 
of some means, soon after bought the land east of Cold- 
water River, and north of the Chicago road, now included 
within the limits of Coldwater City. The same summer 
Lemuel Bingham established a blacksmith-shop near Bon- 
ner's residence in the east part of township G, range 6 
(Coldwater). Dr. David M. Henry, a relative of Bolton, 
came with him. He was the first physician in the county. 
He immediately began practice, boarding with Bolton, but 
remained only about a year and a half 

Another event of the spring of 1830, which may, per- 
haps, be worth noticing, was the first attempt made by 
white men to transport freight on the St. Joseph. J. W. 
Fletcher and John Allen (the latter being then at work 
for the former in the present township of Sturgis, St. 
Jo.seph Co.) went to Allen's Prairie, in Hillsdale County, 
and bought ten bushels of seed potatoes and fifteen bushels 
of seed oats. They constructed two whitcwood canoes, 
loaded in their oats and potatoes, ran down Sand Creek 
from the Prairie to the St. Joseph, and set out on the 
navigation of the latter stream. 

Until they reached the mouth of the Coldwater, they 
found their way seriou.sly impeded by shallow places, dams 
of flood-wood, and similar ob.stacles. But they made bass- 
wood "skids," on which they slid their canoes over the 
dams, while at the shallows they promptly jumped into the 
water, and each helped the other lighten his boat. Deer 
and other game were frequently seen on the banks of the 
river, but the rocking of the canoes prevented the rifles of 
6 



the navigators from furnishing them with venison. They 
had, however, plenty of baked potatoes, and a bee-tree 
which they found on the bank supplied them with wild 
honey. Below the moutli of the Coldwater the water was 
high and the way clear, and they had no serious difficulty 
in reacliing their destination. Tiie return trip occupied 
ten days. 

The affair would hardly be worth mention, in a com- 
mercial a.spect, for the navigation of the upper St. Joseph 
has never a.ssumed proportions of any importance, but the 
enterprise of Me.ssrs. Fletcher and Allen illustrates very 
forcibly the difficulties of land transportation in 1830. 
The distance from Fletcher's residence to Allen's Prairie, 
bj' land, was only about forty miles, yet he preferred to 
take his hired man with him on foot, build canoes, and 
then make a return journey of ten days, rather than trust 
a team to the tender mercies of the Chicago road, and the 
still more hopeless trails which led from that road to Not- 
tawa Prairie. 

In June of this year (1830), we find the ver}' first 
record relating to the township of Green, after its organiza- 
tion. It is to be found in what appears to be the original 
township book of Green, now in possession of the township 
clerk of Girard. It seems that when, in 1833, Green was 
divided into Coldwater and Prairie River, the clerk (John 
Morse) resided in the former township. He kept the 
book and used it for Coldwater. 

The next year Joseph C. Corbus, who lived in the 
present township of Girard, was elected clerk of Coldwater. 
Before his term expired Girard was taken off, when he 
kept the book and used it for that township. 

Unfortunately, the first two leaves, probably containing 
the records of the town-meetings of 1830 and 1831, have 
been torn out. In another part of the book, however, are 
some miscellaneous records, among which is one dated 
June 6, 1830. It relates to the ear-marks of sheep and 
cattle, a matter about which people had to be careful when 
stock of all kinds generally ran loose in the woods. It 
reads as follows : 

"Ju. 6. 1830. 
**Scth Dunham, his mark, a square crop off the left ear, and hap- 
pcny under the right. 

"John Mouse, Clerk." 

This shows plainly that the township of Green was in 
working order and had a town clerk as early as June, 1830, 
thus corroborating the law of 1820. providing for a town- 
meeting, and tile statement of Mr. Adams. Many old 
records of Green Township are also to be found in the first 
township book of Coldwater ; and it is therefore presuma- 
ble that the Girard book is the original one. 

During the summer of 1830, commissioners were ap- 
pointed by the Governor to locate the county-seat of 
Branch County. These commissioners were Musgrove 
Evans, of Tecuraseh, Lenawee Co. ; Dr. Reuben Pierce, 
of Clinton, Lenawee Co. ; and James Olds, of Jones- 
ville, Hillsdale Co, Mr, Bolton explained to them the 
beauties of his location, which he called Coldwater, situ- 
ated just where the Chicago road, the great highway of 
the county, crossed the principal river, and the commis- 
sioners " stuck the stake" there. This " sticking the 



42 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



stake" is an espre^^sion iiequeutly met with in accounts 
of the location of county-seats, and was a very important 
part of the proceedings. Very frequently the embryo city 
chosen as a county-seat had but one or two houses in it, 
and sometimes none at all. Consequently it was not suffi- 
cient to establish the county-seat in a certain village, but 
the commissioners must " stick a stake" to designate the 
exact location of the county buildings. 

Unfortunately for Mr. Bolton, however, there was 
another part of the proceedings quite as important as 
" sticking the stake," which the commissioners neglected 
to perform. This was the " swearing in" of the worthy 
officials. Not having taken the oath of office, their pro- 
ceedings were of no legal force. The result will be shown 
in the annals of the following year. 

The same year (1830) the brothers William H. and 
Robert J. Cross looated themselves a mile east of the site 
of the court-house. Hugh Campbell bought an "eighty" 
of the government in the southwest corner of section 15, 
in the centre of the present city of Coldwater, being the 
first resident of that flourishing burg. 

During the same season the population of the present 
township of Girard was increased by the arrival of Henry 
Van Hyning, Edward Hanchett, and perhaps one or two 
others. 

In September, 1830, there came from the city of New 
York to the county of Branch a young man who is now, 
so far as we can learn, the earliest surviving male resident 
of that county. A native of New England, he had a 
natural tendency toward mechanics, and was particularly 
desirous to find a good place for the erection of a mill. 
Passing, therefore, by the prairies at Coldwater and Bron- 
son, he followed the Chicago road to the point where it 
crossed Prairie River, live miles southwest from Bronson's 
tavern, and there, in partnership with his friend, Willard 
Pierce, began the erection of a saw-mill. 

Mr. Adams, whose clear mind retains a vivid recollection 
of the events of that day, states that at the time of his 
arrival there were twelve families in Branch County. 
Bronson, Tillotson, and Morse were then keeping tavern. 
Dunham, Toole & Co. were building their mill at Poca- 
hontas, and the prospects of Branch County were con- 
sidered to be decidedly encouraging. That summer two- 
horse stages were put upon the Chicago road, running twice 
a week as far west as Niles ; yet that road was not opened 
by the government till two or three years later. A few 
small trees had been cut by emigrants, so that a wagon 
could barely pass, and a few of the worst places were 
repaired by the owners of the stages, but it must indeed 
have been " a hard road to travel." 

TJiat autumn Mr. Allen Tibbits, the well-known resi- 
dent of Coldwater, then a young local Methodist preacher 
at Plymouth, twenty-five miles west of Detroit, set out to 
seek a new habitation. Traveling, as did almost every 
one, on horseback, he followed an Indian trail from Jack- 
son to Allen's Prairie, losing one day on account of taking 
the wrong trail, and falling in with Benjamin Smith, 
Martin Barnhart, and a Mr. Freeman on the way. The 
four came to Morse's tavern, and thence to Coeoosh Prairie. 
Barnhart and Smith selected land on West Coeoosh, which 



they soon bought, but Tibbits did not become a resident of 
the county till the next year. 

In December came another of the oldest of the old resi- 
dents, Harvey Warner, now of Coldwater township. After 
deteiuiiniiig to make his home in the county, he returned 
to Clinton, in this State, and .sent Barnabas Wilkin.son and 
James S. Brooks to build a new hotel for A. F. Bolton. 
This was the first framed building in the county, and was 
situated on the Chicago road, on the east side of Coldwater 
River, where the county-seat had first been located. 

Loren Marsh came this spring and established a trading- 
post in the east part of the present township of Coldwater. 
He afterwards moved to the old post west of Coldwater 
River, where he remained several years, having a large 
trade with the Indians, and great influence over them. 
He is well remembered by many old settlers. 

The taxes of the township of Green (that is, of the 
whole county of Branch) for the year 1830, collected by 
Collector John G. Richardson, and turned over to Super- 
visor Seth Dunham, amounted to seven dollars and thirty- 
six cents. The supervisor's commission on it, at five per 
cent., was thirty-seven cents. 

The second school in the county was taught by Colum- 
bia Lancaster, whose permanent home was in St. Joseph 
County. Columbia Lancaster was a well-known man in 
Southern Michigan between forty and fifty years ago. He 
was somewhat celebrated as a lawyer, and still more so as a 
hunter, being reported to have killed three hundred and 
sixty-six deer in one year. He frequently acted as prose- 
cuting attorney of this and St. Joseph Counties, and was 
regularly appointed to that position in the latter county by 
the Governor in 1835. Many years afterwards he removed 
to Washington Territory, and in 1854 was elected delegate 
in Congress from that Territory. Even while teaching 
school, as he did in the beginning of his professional career, 
he managed to increase his revenue by trapping, besides 
killing all the venison needed by the neighborhood. 

In April, 1831, the township-meeting of Green was 
held, according to the recollection of Mr. Adams, at the 
Indian trading-post just west of Coldwater River. Jlr. 
Adams did not go himself, but his partner, Willard Pierce, 
did, and was elected to one of the minor offices. Mr. Pierce, 
however, returned East that same season. Some doubt 
has been expressed i-ogarding the holding of this meeting 
at the trading-post, but a town-meeting was certainly held 
somewhere in the county that year, Seth Dunham being 
re-elected supervisor, and John Morse being chosen both 
collector and township clerk, as appears by subsequent 
records. It seems probable that Mr. Adams' recollection 
is correct as to the location. 

In the spring of 1831 a new land-district was established, 
consisting of all that part of Michigan west of the principal 
meridian ; the office being at White Pigeon, St. Joseph Co. 
This was somewhat more convenient than Monroe had been, 
beins not more than fifty miles from the most distant part 
of Branch County. 

In the forepart of 1831, also, another eS'ort was made to 
establish a county-seat for Branch County. New commis- 
sioners were appointed, under an act of March 4, 1831, 
who again came to view the ground. Again Mr. Bolton 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



43 



explained the situation and facilities of his location, but 
without avail. For reasons best known to themselves, the 
commissioners decided to locate the county-seat at a point 
on the west side of the west branch of Coldwater River 
three-fourths of a mile down stream (north) from the Poca- 
hontas .Mills before mentioned. The " stake was stuck" in 
the forest where not a tree had been cut, near the line 
between sections 19 and HO, township U, range 6 (Cold- 
water). 

Messrs. Elisha Warren and others speedily purcha.sed a 
tract of land around the stake in (luestioii, and laid out a 
village, to which they gave the name of Branch. We be- 
lieve, however, that a single log house, and a clearing large 
enough for it to stand in, constituted the improvements at 
the new county-seat for the year 1831. It will he remem- 
bered that the county was still unorganized, and the county- 
seat had no official bu.siness to support it, but must depend 
on the glories of the future. 

The population of Branch County Wius increased by what 
seemed (juite a large number of .settlers in 18151. Mr. 
Warren returned with his young wife, and began keeping 
hotel in Bolton's new building on the Coldwater. Allen 
Tibbit,s also returned, and located on the site of Coldwater 
City. Samuel Craig — whose widow, Mrs. Elizi Craig, is 
still living in Girard — moved to that township from Al- 
len's Prairie ; Joseph C. Corbus came with him, exchanging 
farms with his brother Richard ; Benjamin Smith came to 
the place he had previously selected the same season ; and 
Henry Van Hyning moved into a house he had erected the 
year before. James 15. Tompkins, a surveyor, came to the 
same township in July, and has resided there till the pres- 
ent time. In fact, the population of the county had by 
this time become so numerous that we must leave the men- 
tion of individual emigrants to the writers on the various 
townships, except in some marked cases. 

Dr. Enoch Chase, who came in 1831 , and located at Cold- 
water, was the second physician in the county ; and, as 
Dr. Hill soon left. Chase had the field to himself for a short 
time. 

The " mark" records were continued in 1831 ; the next 
after the one before copied being the following : 

" Wm. H. Cross, his murk for cattle, sheojt, ho'^9, a swallow fork in 
tho left car. 

" CoLDWATKii, April 4, IS31. 

"John Mouse, Clerk." 

Another mark was recorded by R. J. Cro.ss the same 
day. The above not only shows that town officers were 
acting in 1831, but that the name of CoIdw<iter had already 
been adopted for the locality to which it now pertains. 
Another evidence on the question of officers is the following 
from tlic same book : 

"This may certify that Jabo Bronson has taken the oath as over- 
Bcor of the poor for the town of tJrecn. , 

"April 12, 1S31. 

".JuFIN MoItSK, CUrl ,'* 

The next entry shows the division of the township (that 
is, of the county) into road-districts, though in rather awk- 
ward language : 



"For the township of Green. This may certify that tho district 
No. 1 and district No. 2 and district No. .'i, also No. 4 and 5, which 
are recorded this twenty-third day of .\pril, ls;U. 

"John MottsK, Clerk," 

The next step in regard to roads was the one described in 
the ensuing record : 

" At a meeting of the cotnmissicmcrs of highways, for the town of 
Green, on tho IJth of iMay, IS."!!, the following persons were appointed 
overseers of highways [pathmnsters] : District No. I, Martin Barn- 
hart; No. 2, Kobert Cross; No. .3, John Allen: No. 4, Jeremiah 
Tillotson ; No. 5, Williard Pierce. 

"May IG, 1S31. "Joiix .MoiiSK, Cierk. 

"Wm. H. Cross, 

" E. S. IlANCnKTT, 

" CommissionerH of Ilujhicdyi" 

The first record of the establishment of a road in the county 
is the one given below. (It will be understood that the 
Chicago road, being laid out by the general government, 
needed no action by town or county officials.) The ensuing 
record was made in 1831, but the exact date is not given : 

"Survey of a road established by the commissioners of highways of 
the town of Green, county of St. Joseph [strictly speaking, it should 
have been county of Branch, att.iched to St. .Joseph] ; commencing at 
the line at corners of sections .33 and 34, township 4 south, range 6 west, 
and sections 3 and 4, townships 5 south, range f» west ; and runs thence 
south on section line nine miles to the corner of sections l.'j, 16, 21, 22, 
townsliip G south, range G west. 

"J. B. Tompkins, Siirieyor. 

"William H.Cross, 
" EnwAKn S. Hanciiett, 
" Coinnn'stiiiniers nf IIujlitraifH" 

The above is now known as the Marshall road, running 
from the centre of Coldwater City north to the county line. 
Two other records of 1831. were the following : 

" The township of Green to Seth Dunham, Dr. To one day's ser- 
vice as inspector of election, $1 ; travel forty miles and make return 
to clerk's office, S2. 50 ; canvassing votes at clerk's office, $1 ; travel 
forty miles, $2.50." 

" Township of Green to John Morse, Dr. For serving as clerk for 
electing delegate, July, 1S31, $1." 

"John Morse, Clerk." 

All these items show beyond ((uestion that there wa.s a 
fully-organized township in 1831, a point which has been 
disputed by several persons. 

The Indians still remained in their old locations, occupy- 
ing their bark huts in .summer, and going on hunting ex- 
cursions in winter. They were sometimes inclined to be 
troublesome, but not extremely so. A piece of land which 
the Indians had used for their gardens and corn ground 
happened to be a part of the tract which Mr. Van Hyning 
purchased. The latter proceeded to plow it up, with the 
intention of planting it to corn. A stalwart Indian stopped 
him, and declared that the cultivated ground was his, and Van 
Hyning must not use it. A serious quarrel seemed likely 
to ensue. One of the Corbuscs mediated between the con- 
testants, and at length Van Hyning agreed to give the In- 
dian half the corn raised on the cultivated ground, which 
was only a .small tract. 

The Indians seemed to have a kind of idea that, although 
they had sold their land, yet they had a special right to 
whatever improvements might have been put upon it by 
them. Another and more marked example of this occurred 
on the land of Mr. J. B. Tompkins, within a short time 



44 



IIISTORy^ OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



after his settlement. This inclosed the Indian village at 
Girard, and there were four good-sized apple-trees upon it. 
Some of the squaws frequently came to Mr. Tompkins and 
demanded pay for those trees. The Indians, they said, 
might have sold the land, but they (the squaws) had planted 
those apple-trees and taken care of them, and they insisted 
on having pay for them. Mr. Tompkins naturally under- 
stood that when he bought the land he bought all the 
trees there were on it, and declined to pay further. 

One morning, about day-break, he was told by one of his 
family that some one was cutting down his apple-trees. 
Hurrying out, he found an old squaw and a young one 
busily at work with their rude, light axes, commonly called 
" squaw hatchets." They had already cut down three of 
the four trees, and not only that, but, apparently fearing 
lest the white man's art n)ight set them growing again, they 
had cut the branches in small pieces and had carried off the 
trunks and hidden them. 

When Mr. Tompkins reached the spot the younger squaw 
had raised her hatchet to attatk the last tree. Mr. T. called 
a halt, and obtaining the services of his neighbor, Mr. 
McCarty, who could talk Indian, proceeded to hold a parley 
with the aboriginal champions of woman's rights. After a 
good deal of palaver the squaws agreed not to cut down the 
last tree, in consideration of a liberal donation of flour. It 
was afterwards girdled twice, — once at the roots and once 
higher up. Yet the Indian hatchets were so dull that the 
girdling was not thoroughly done, new bark grew where the 
oU had been cut away, and the tree continued to bear fruit. 

Indians were quite as repugnant to the white men's horses 
and cattle as they were to the white men themselve.s. The 
first cattle that Mr. Tompkins brought into the county 
were almost certain to run away if an Indian approached 
them. When driving along in tlie night, if they threw up 
their heads and began to show signs of fear, the owner was 
pretty sure that one or more Indians were coming, even be- 
fore he could see them himself. Dismounting from his 
wagon, he would at once unhitch his oxen, and chain them 
to a tree until the cause of their fright had passed. Other 
old residents give the same account of tlio antipathy of 
their animals for the red men. Hon. Harvey Haynes gave 
us an amusing account of this antipathy, and although it 
occurred several years later than the time now under con- 
sideration (Mr. Haynes came to the county in 1836) yet 
it will be most apposite here : 

Mr. Haynes says he never was tempted to be a missionary 
but once, and that was shortly after he came into the 
county. He was then a youth of about sixteen or seven- 
teen years. Among the Indians who frequently pa.s.sed his 
father's house (on the premises now occupied by Mr. 
Haynes) was a peculiarly smart, bright-looking boy, a little 
younger than himself The family showed a liking for the 
cute-looking son of the forest, and he became a frequent 
visitor, generally managing to get something to eat at each 
visit. 

" Now," thought young Harvey to himself, " if I can 
teach my aboriginal brother how to work on a farm, it will 
be a great blessing to him ; it will enable him to earn a civ- 
ilized subsistence during life, and may, perhaps, bring some 
recompense for the board ho manages to obtain. " Accord- 



ingly the while boy, beginning cautiously, showed his red 
friend how to do some simple chores about the house and 
barn, which the latter did without demur. 

At length one morning, late in autumn, the Indian came 
bright and early and obtained a good breakfast, when Har- 
vey decided to carry forward his education another step 
and employ him on a more important task than before. 
His own work for the day was to attend to the threshing 
of a quantity of grain by the old-fashioned method of 
"treading it out;" driving horses back and forth over it, 
and changing the straw when necessary. He thought he 
would have Master Indian drive the horses, while he him- 
self would attend to shaking up the straw, changing the 
" floorings," etc. So the two went to the barn together, 
and young Haynes threw down a flooring of grain and ex- 
plained to the other by signs and such few words of EnglLsh 
as the latter could understand what was to be done. The 
youth was perfectly willing. 

" Yes — yes — good — Indian drive horse — all right." 

Accordingly Harvey brought the horses on to the barn 
floor, — a young, active, powerful team, full of life and 
vigor. But no sooner had they got a fair sight of the 
young aboriginal than they began to snort and dance. The 
mure young Ha3-jes tried to hold them the more they 
would not be held. They reared and jumped and bounded, 
and tore around the barn-floor more like wild animals than 
civilized, Christian quadrupeds. The Indian cowered in a 
corner and Harvey was soon obliged to give up all attempts 
at managing his steeds. It was hard to tell which was the 
most frightened: the furious horses, the would-be mis- 
sionary, or the intended neophyte. 

The animals grew worse and worse, and Harvey was 
compelled to seek safety by climbing up the ladder between 
the barn-floor and hay-mow. As he did so he saw the In- 
dian darting out through a hole in the back of the barn. 
As soon as he was gone the horses began to cool down. In 
a few moments their master was able to descend from his 
perch, and he immediately ran out-doors to see what had 
become of his pupil. He saw him running northward at 
full speed across the fields, turning neither to the right nor 
the left, never looking behind him, and having already 
almost reached the shelter of the forest. Beneath its 
friendly shadows he soon disappeared, and never more 
were his dark features seen at the home of his former 
friends. It is doubtful if he ever visited Coldwater again 
from that time till the removal of his tribe to the Far 
West. He had enough of civilization, and young Haynes 
was equally well satisfied with his one cflFort as a mission- 
ary, and never again attempted that role. 

Wolves as well as Indians were numerous and trouble- 
some. Mr. Tibbits mentions driving them out of his barn- 
yard after there was quite a little settlement at Coldwater. 
They were mostly of the ordinary gray species, but once in 
a great while a huge black wolf would be seen, the largest 
and fiercest of his race. 

By the end of 1831 there was a population of thirty or 
forty families in the county, mostly, if not entirely, in the 
present towns of Bronson, Coldwater, and Girard. Pros- 
perity seemed to be assured, and schemes of laying out 
villages began to be talked over with great confidence. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



45 



In the beginning of 1832, Silas A. Holbrook, whose 
amiable and venerable willow still resides at Coldwater, 
came to the place where that city was to be, and established 
the first store in the county, aside from the Indian trading- 
posts. It was a diminutive affair, but it marked the be- 
ginning of an important commerce. 

On the 2d day of April, 1832, the tliiid town-meeting 
of Green was held at a small cabin near tiie Pocahontas 
Mills. This was the meeting which has generally been 
considered as the first in the county, perhaps because it 
was the first of which there was any direct record, though 
in fact it was two years subsequent to the first meeting. 

Before giving the record of this third meeting, we will 
transcribe here the consolidated account of the supervisor 
for the two previous years, presented by him to the town- 
ship board at this time. It is copied from the township 
book of Coldwater, being evidently taken from the original 
document : 

"The Supervisor of Orccn Township in account current with said 
township from Fob. 10, 1S30, to April I, 18:!2. 

" Dr. 
" 1830. To amount of town tax received this year from .John 
(f. Itichardson, collector. [This extended into 

1831] $7.36 

Toaniountof tax received for IS32[thati8, 1831-32], 

per John Morse, collector 48.96 

56.32 
Under charge on town tax 50 

56.82 
" Or. 

" Feb. 10. By commission on $7.36, at 5 per cent 37 

Paid on town *)rder in favor of .1, Hronson $1.00 

Commission on $4.S.yfi, at it per cent 2.-15 

Paid order in favor of J. P. Tompl<ins 14.00 

By paid order in favor of Jabe Pronson 5.25 

" William H. Cross B.OO 

" '• " E. S. Hnnchett 6.00 

" " " A.F.Bolton COO 

" '* *' John Morse _ 4.00 

" " " Seth Dunham 3.25 

" " " J. llanchctt 3.00 

" " " Seth Dunham 7.00 

" " Town Book 1.00 

$59.32 
Balance due the S^upervisor for 1831 [that is, 1831-32] 2.50 

" Seth Duniia.m, 

" Stiperei'sor. 

" This may certify that wc, the undersigned, members of the town- 
ship board of the township of Green, have examined the above ac- 
count, and find it correct. 

"John Morse, Clerk. 

"Abram F. Bolto.v, J. P. 

"Jabe Broxsox, J. P." 

Below we give a copy of the record of the election, 
copied from the town book of Girard. which was probably 
the original book of Green : 

"The electors of the township of Green met at the mill on Cold- 
water Kiver the 2d of April, 1832, for the election of township offi- 
cers and for other purposes, and Lemuel Bingham was chosen mod- 
erator, who, with .Vbrain F. Bolton, justice of the peace, and John 
Morse, town clerk, composed the board. The following officers were 
elected by resolution: Seth Dunham, Supervisor; John Morse, Town 
Clerk; Allen Tibbits, John Corbus, Wales Adams, Assessors: Robert 
J. Cross, James B. Tompkins, David J. Picrson, Commissioners of 
Highways; Seymour L. Bingham, Con.'Ublc and Collector; James 
li. Guile, Constable on Bronson's Prairie; Lemuel Bingham, Poor- 
master: William II. Cross, Treasurer ; William .McCarty, Benjamin 
Smith, E. S. Ilanchett, Allen Tibbits, Commissioners of Schools; 
Seth Dunham, Ascl Kent, Inspectors of Schools. 



" OrerKeem iif Hhjhmtyt. — E. S. Ilanchett, District No. 1 ; Joseph 
Ilanchet', District No. 2; John .\ll'n. District No. 3; Jabe Bronson, 
District No. 4; Horace D. Judson, District No. 5; Martin Barnhart, 
District No. 6; Samuel Smith [poundmaster], on Bronson's Prairie, 
Joseph C. Corbus, on Coquish Prairie ; Harvey Warner, on Coldwater 
Prairie. 

"Moved and carried that all fences four rails high shall not be 
laid to excetd four inches apart. 

" Moved and carried that no stud horse or colt over two years old 
be allowed to run at large. 

" Moved and carried that one dollar is bid on wolves. 

"Moved and carried that the next annuil township-meeting will 
be held at the house of John Morse." 

"The board of town auditors for the year ending Sept. 25, 1832, 
composed of Seth Dunham, Supervisor; John Morse, Town Clerk; 
Kobcrt J. Cross, Justice of the Peace, allowed the following accounts 
of township officers: Joseph Ilanchett, $1; Robert J. (Jross, $5; 
Phincas Banor [Bonner], $1: Seth Dunham, $7; Allen Tibbits, 
$4.37J ; James B. Tompkins, S7 ; John Morse, $2." 

Substantially the same records are to be found in the 
town book of Coldwater, but in different order and more 
elaborate form. 

It was in the s])ring of 1832 that the first person of 
wide-spread reputation selected a home in Branch County, 
and among all the prominent men who have resided there, 
few, if any, were as widely or favorably known as the one 
of whom we speak. While young Wales Adams was en- 
gaged in his bu.-iiiess on Prairie River, toward the close of 
a spring day, there arrived at the log tavern near his mill 
a portly, dignified, well-dres.sed, middle-aged gentleman, 
showing in his face and manner the evidence of both culture 
and authority, who, with one companion, rode up on horse- 
back (the usual mode of traveling then) from the eastward 
over the Chicago road. This was Right Reverend Philan- 
der Chase, uncle of the great statesman, Salmon P. Ch<'ise, 
first Episcopal bishop of Ohio, founder of Kenyon College, 
in that State, and the man who may also be considered as, 
to a great extent, the founder of the Episcopal Church west 
of the Alleghanics. Bishop Chase was then fifty-six years 
old, having been born at Corinth, N. H., on the 14th day 
of December, 1775. Ilis life had been a very active one; 
he having resided several years in Louisiana, in which 
State he was the first Protestant minister ; and having 
afterwards performed great services in building up Epis- 
copacy in the West. Ilis companion was Bezaleel Wells, 
Esq., of Steubenville, Ohio. 

Mr. Chase had resigned the bishopric of Ohio and the 
presidency of Kenyon College, and was now seeking a loca- 
tion for a farm, with perhaps some intention of establish- 
ing a similar institution in the wilderness. He had had 
reason to expect that he would be appointed bishop of 
Michigan, and was anxious to find a suitable place for his 
intended work in that Territory. 

The circumstances attending the bishop's settlement in 
Branch County are so graphically related by him, in his 
published " Reminiscences" or autobiography, that we 
quote a few sentences from that work. It will be observed 
that he speaks of himself in the third person : 

" It was Friday night when they [Messrs. Chase and 
Wells] reached a place called 'Adams' Mills,' on one of 
the streams of St. Joseph's River. Here Mr. Wells heard 
of his sons on Prairie Ronde ; th:it they were doing well. 

" 'And who is this ?' said the landlord of a lo'r-cabin 



46 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tavern to Mr. Wells, in a low voice ; ' who is this whom 
you have with you? Is he come out to purchase lands?' 

" Mr. Wells replied, ' He may purchase if he finds some 
that suits him.' 

" Mr. Judson, for that was the man's name, tiien raising 
his voice, said aloud, as if still speaking to Mr. Wells, ' I 
believe most men are fools; for they go on in flocks, and 
follow each other like sheep in search of good land ; when, 
if they would stop, they would find much better in the 
regions through which they pass so rapidly. Much more 
beautiful scenery and richer land are to be found in this 
neighborhood than farther west. And men would find it 
so, if they would only stop, go about, and examine.' 

" These words were meant for the ear of the writer. He 
took them so, and inquired, — 

" ' Where is this good land you speak of?' 
" ' Within eight miles of this, to the southeast, there is a 
charming limpid lake, surrounded with rising burr-oak and 
prairie-lands, interspersed with portions of lofty timber, fit 
for building. The streams are of clear and running water ; 
and, like the lake, abound in the finest kind of fish ; and, 
what is quite an essential point, these lands are now open 
for market, and (excepting some choice sugar-tree eighties 
already taken by persons from Indiana) may be entered 
by any one going to White Pigeon, where the land-office 
is kept.' 

" ' Will you show me these lands if I stay with you a 
day or two ?' 

"'If I do not, Mr. Adams, the owner of the saw-mill, 
will. I will furnish him with a horse, and Thomas Holmes, 
who lives near us, shall go along with you on foot, with his 
rifle, to kill game and keep off the wolves.' 

" The whole of this speech of Mr. Judson seemed so in- 
viting and practicable to one in the condition of the writer 
that he could not resist the invitation offered." 

The next day (Saturday) Mr. Wells proceeded to Prai- 
rie Ronde. On Sunday the bishop held services at Mr. 
Judson's log house. 

On Monday, Blessrs. Cha.se and Adams set out on horse- 
back along an Indian trail, followed by " Tom Holmes," 
before mentioned, a noted woodsman and hunter of the 
locality. The two gentlemen conversed together as they 
rode on, the bishop relating how he had visited England, 
interested the English in the support of Episcopacy in the 
great Western field, and obtained liberal gifts of money to 
enable him to found and sustain Kenyon College. Owing 
to dissensions among his people, he had felt impelled to 
resign his charge. He informed Mr. Adams of his expec- 
tations of becoming bishop of Michigan, but at the same 
time appeared to be extremely downcast in regard to the 
future, saying he would be glad, if he could, to make his 
home amid the deepest recesses of the Rocky Mountains. 

Pursuing their way, they reached the shore of Gilead 
Lake, where the bishop was delighted with the lovely 
scenery, then in all the pristine beauty of nature. John 
Crory, who had begun a cabin in the present township of 
Gilead only about a month before, was then the only resi- 
dent in all the four fractional townships on the south line 
of Branch County. The bishop was so well pleased with the 
country to which Mr. Adams had piloted him, that he soon 



after purchased a section of land there, and moved thither 
with his family, remaining nearly four years. During this 
time he again visited England, but did not carry out his 
supposed scheme of founding a college in Gilead. In fact, 
not being appointed bishop of Michigan, his plans were 
necessarily changed. In April, 1835, he was appointed 
bishop of Illinois, and in July, 1836, his family removed 
to that State. 

Another event of the spring of 1832 was the laying out 
by Tibbits and Hauchett of the village which has since 
become the city of Coldwater. It was then called Lyons, 
in honor of Mr. Tibbits' native town in New York. Not 
long afterward the name was changed to Coldwater, the 
Coldwater post-office was moved thither, and the name has 
ever since adhered to that locality ; the original Coldwater 
on the river-bank being completely overshadowed and at 
length absorbed by its more prosperous rival. 

In May of the year 1832 an event occurred which 
startled from their propriety all the people of Branch 
County, together with most of those throughout Southern 
Michigan, and for a short time seemed likely to put a stop 
to all the improvements so rapidly being planned and 
prosecuted. This was the outbreak of the celebrated " Black 
Hawk war." The scene of actual strife was far away in 
Illinois and W'isiMinsiii, but the white population was very 
sparse from Branch County thither, and Indians bent on 
vengeance have long arms. Besides, no one could tell 
whether the Pottawattamies, scattered through Southern 
Michigan, might not make common cause with the warriors 
of Black Hawk, and turn their tomahawks upon their white 
neighbors. No hostile disposition, however, was manifested 
by these ancient enemies, and the whites seem generally to 
have trusted to their friendship. 

Scarcely had the first news of the troubles arrived, than 
a dispatch went through from the government agent at 
Chicago, asking for the aid of the Michigan militia to de- 
fend that place, then an insignificant hamlet in a marsh at 
the head of Lake Michigan. The brigade of militia in the 
southern part of the Territory was commanded by Brig.- 
Gen. Joseph W. Brown, a near relative of Maj.-Gen. Jacob 
Brown, the hero of the war of 1812 and at one time com- 
mander-in-chief of the United States Army. Gen. J. W. 
Brown possessed much of the martial fire of the soldier of 
Lundy's Lane, and promptly responded to the call. He 
ordered his brigade to take the field, the rendezvous being 
at Niles, in Berrien County. The militia regiments of 
Monroe and Lenawee Counties readily obeyed his orders, 
and in a few days company after company was to be seen 
marching westward over the Chicago road, each man clad 
not in bright blue clothes with brass buttons, but in the 
rude garb of a backwocdsman, with rifle, or musket, or shot- 
gun, on his shoulder, as chance might determine, and with 
accoutrements equally varied at his side. 

Beniah Jones, Jr., of Jonesville, Hillsdale Co., was at 
this time major, commanding a battalion of militia, con- 
sisting of one company in Hillsdale County and two in 
Branch. On tl.e 22d day of May he received orders from 
Gen. Brown to call out his battalion and march westward 
to repel the enemy. The order must have been very 
promptly obeyed, for the men were called out, got together 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



47 



in fompanies, and marched to Nilos by tlic 25th of that 
uionth. We arc indebted to Ilarvi'y WaiiaT, Ksij., of 
Cdldwatcr, for a oojiy of tlu' niusterroll of tbo batlalion, 
furnished him by Dr. Knueli Clia.se, formerly of Coldwater, 
who was both surgeon and adjutant of Maj. Jones' com- 
mand. 

We jiive below a copy of tlie roll (oniittiiisi the Hillsdale 
County company), both as an interesting relic of itself and 
as showing the growth of Branch County up to that time: 

" May 22il, 1832, Major B. Jones received oiilere from Gen. Joseph 
W. Brown to muster his Battalion in the 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 
M. M. 

" May 25lh, ])rcsenton duty — Major, Bcniah Jones, Jr. ; Adt., Enoch 
Chase; Q. M., Edmond Jones; Surgeon, Enoeh Chase, M.D. ; Q. M. 
S., AbicI Potter; , Ambrose Nicholson, Staif Officers. 

"John Morse, Fife Major, sick; absent. 

"Abram V. Bolton, Ciipt. of 1st Coui])any ; John Allen, Lieut.; 
Harvey Warner, Ensign. 

" Non-com. officers. — E. S. Uanchett, Ist Sergeant ; James M'Uarty, 
Isaac Eslow. 

" Privates. — Seymour Bingham, Jonas Tilapan, George Uanchett, 
Moses Herrick, Wm. H. Cross, John AVilson, Philip Ledynrd, Henry 
.Johnson, James Craig, Martin Baruhart, llenjaniin 11. Smith, Robert 
J. Cross, Henry Van Hyning, John Parkinson, James B. Tompkins, 
Joseph C. Corbus, Phineas Bunner, John Cornish, Hugh Alexander 
Cbauneey Morgan, ilr. I)ecrow, Marvin Hill, Newell Hill, Joseph 
H. Fowler." 

Xule ott mart/in: "This company was mustered into service May 
2-lth, and dismissed June Sd, 1832. 

"Second company (Hillsdale) omitted. 

"3d company. — .Seth Dunham, captain; Jeremiah Tillotson, lieut. ; 
Wales Adams, ensign. 

"Non-com. officers. — James M. (hiile, 1st Sergeant; Thomas 
Holmes, 2d Sergeant; George W. Gamble, 3d Sergeant; Philip 
Omstcd, 1st Corjjoral ; Frederick Lyons, 2d Corporal. 

'* Privates, Horace D. Judson, Daupheueus Holmes, Elizer Lan- 
caster, Isaac Smith, Daniel Smith, David J. Persons, David Clark, 
Moses Omstcd, Joseph Edwards, Joshua llansdcll ; John G. Richard- 
son, John Rose, Alfred S. Driggs, Sylvester Brockway." 

Note nn inartfin: " Mustered into service May 26th, and dismissed 
Juno 3d, 1832. 

" The above is a true copy of the returns ma<ie by the captains of 
. the several companies to me. 

" CoLDWATEii, June 4th, 1832. 

" E.sorn Chase, Adt." 

Mem. OH fcwcA- of ri.lt : "Col, Bitman, Dr. 

16 horiics, to hay, stabling $4.00 

To house-room 2.00 

$6.00" 
Indorsement on hnrk : 

" Battalion Roll, 

" May, IS30, 

"Mustered at Nilcs." 

Some of the foregoing names arc marked " absent" on 
the roll, but as it does not specify whether the men so 
designated had remained at home or were merely out of 
camp temporarily, we have not marked them in the copy. 
We infer from other data that only those who marched 
with the company were placed on the roll, as some who are 
known to have gone with it are marked " absent." 

According to this roll there were in Branch County in 
May, 1832, at least fifty-six males capable of bearing arms, 
and supposed to be between eighteen and forty-five years 
of age. In fact, however, we are informed that some 
entered the ranks who were above the latter age, and 
others who were lass than eighteen. 

The women, children, and old men left behind were for 
a few d;iys in a state of great dismay lest their friends 



should be destroyed by the bloody Indians, and terrifying 
rumors flrw thimi^h the scattered settlements by the score. 
Scarcely, however, had the militia reached Niles, when 
nie.s.sengers from tlu: West brought the welcome news that 
Black Hawk and his bands had been utterly defeated, and 
that all danger was over. As appears by the roll, the 
troops returned and were mustered out at Coldwater on the 
4th of June. There were two or three hundred I'ollatcat- 
tamies encamped where Orangeville (Union township) now 
stands, during a large part of the spring, and this did not 
tend to decrease the nervousness of the inhabitants. They 
manifested, however, a perfectly peaceful disposition. 

Later in the season there was another alarm, and a draft 
of a hundred men was ordered from Jones' battalion. 
Fifty or sixty responded, and were placed under the com- 
mand of Capt. Bolton, being encamped for two or three 
weeks at his place on Coldwater River. 

Black Hawk, the cause of all thi.s trouble, is said by 
Drake, the Indian luntoiiuii, tn have been a Pullawaltiiinie 
by birth, but to have been brought up among the Sues. 
The Black Hawk war caused the people and the government 
to be all the more anxious to have the Indians removed 
beyond the Jlississippi. Another treaty was made in 
October, 1832, by which nearly all the lands to which the 
Pottawattomirs had any claim in Michigan were ceded to 
the United States, except the Nottawa-seepe Reservation. 
This treaty provided for an individual grant of a square 
mile to " Topenibee, the principal chief," and another to 
" Pokagon, the second chief" This is the last mention we 
find of either of them in the treaties, and shortly after- 
ward " Penaishees, or Little Bird," became the head chief 
of the Pottawattamies. 

The " war" put a sudden stop to emigration for that 
year, and its effects were seriously felt for two years more. 
Eastern people could not discriminate between the warlike 
Sacs and the peaceful Pottawattamies, and looked upon 
the whole AVcst as dangerous ground. The stages which 
had been running over the Chicago road during the spring 
of 1832 had so little business aft«r the excitement that the 
owners were obliged to take them off at lieavy loss. The 
line was, however, soon re-established by a firm of which 
Gen. J. W. Brown was the head. 

1832 was also celebrated as the cholera year. The 
people were almost as badly alarmed by it as by the war, 
but, like the war, we believe it did not enter Branch County, 
though it came close to its borders : a whole family dying 
just over the line in Calhoun County. 

It was now deemed that there was, or soon would be, 
people enough in Branch County to justify the formation 
of two townships. For some unknown reason the name of 
" Green" had become unpopular, and it was decided to 
. drop it. The passage of the following act was accordingly 
procured : 

"An Act to organize two townships in the county of Branch. 

"Be it enacted hy the LcffUlative Council of the Territory of Michi- 
gan, That all that part of the county of Branch known and distin- 
guished on the survey of the United Stotes as townships numbered 
0, 6, 7, and fractional township 8, south of the base line, in ranges 
numbered 5 and 6, west of the principal meridian, be a township by 
the name of Coldwater, and the 6rst townshi])-meeting shall be held 
at the house of John Morse, in said township. 



48 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUiNTV, MICHIGAN. 



" Sec. 2. That all that part of the county of Braoch known as town- 
ships numbered 5, 6, 7, and fractional township numbered 8, south 
of the base line in ranges numbered 7 and 8, west of the principal 
meridian, be a township by the name of Prairie River, and the first 
township-meeting shall bo held at the house of Jabez Bronson, in 
said township. 

"Sec. 3. That this act shall take effect and be in force from and 
after the last day of March next. 

"Approved June 29, 1S32." 

This divided the county into two equal parts by a north 
and south line. It will be observed that the vast territory 
north of Branch County, whioh was at first a part of Green 
township on its organization, had been formed into other 
townships before this period. 

The first grist-mill in the county was erected in the 
summer of 1 832, being located beside the Pocahontas saw- 
mill before mentioned, three-quarters of a mile south of 
Branch. The principal proprietor was Dr. Hill. It was 
a very small affair, with one stone, about two feet in di- 
ameter, and the people still frequently sent their grain to 
Tecumseh, seventy miles distant, to get it ground. Some- 
times, indeed, as Mrs. Holbrook says, they went to mill in 
a " caldron-kettle," — that is, they took a vessel of that kind 
to pound their grain in instead of a mortar. 

The following record shows the hotel-keepers of Branch 
County in 1832-33, and also the price of wolf-scalps at that 
time : 

" At a meeting of the Town Board of Audit for the town of Green, 
held at the house of John Morse, Jan. 1, 1833, present, Seth Dunham, 
supervisor, Silas A. Holbrook, deputy town clerk, Robert J. Cross 
and Jabe Bronson, justices, licences to keep tavern were granted to 
Ellis Russell, John Morse. Harvey Warner, Jeremiah Tillotson, 
Frederick Lines, Jabe Bronson, and Clarissa Judson. 

" After which the following accounts were audited and allowed : 

"Luke Camp, 2 wolf-scalps $2.00 

Eleazer Lancaster, 1 wolf-scalp 1.00 

John Allen, services as school commissioner 1.00 

John Corbus, services as assessor (1831, 1832) 6.00 

Abram F. Bolton, services as school commissioner and 

town board 2.00" 

By this time the seventy or eighty votes of the county 
felt as if they were strong enough to have a county govern- 
ment of their own. Accordingly, in January, 1833, they 
petitioned the legislative couucil to that effect, and that 
body passed the following act : 

"An act to organize the county of Branch : 

"Section 1. Be it enacted by the legislative council of the Terri- 
tory of Michigan, That the county of Branch shall be organized from 
and after the taking effect of this act, and the inhabitants thereof 
entitled to all the rights and privileges to which by law the other 
counties of this Territory are entitled. 

"Section 2. That all suits, prosecutions, and other matters now 
pending before the courts of record of St. Joseph County, or before 
any justice of the peace of said county of St. Joseph, shall be prose- 
cuted to final judgment and execution in the same manner as though 
the said county of Branch had not been organized. 

"Section 3. That this act shall take effect and be in force from and 
after the 1st day of March next. 

"Approved Feb. 1, 1833." 

The county of Branch accordingly began its independent 
existence on the 1st day of March, 1833. That date 
therefore naturally marks the beginning of a new era, and 
we adopt it as the beginning of a new chapter. 



CHAPTER IX. 

FBOM ORGANIZATION TO 184 0. 

Change of Name of Prairie River — First County Officers — First 
Record of Deed — Deed of Earliest Date— First Mortgage — First 
Court of Record— Prob.ita of First Will— The County Clerk's Office 
— First Marriage Record — A Certificate by Bishop Chase — First 
Record of Board of Supervisors — First Circuit Court and Grand 
Jury — Opening the Chicago Road — Sale of Nottawa-Seepe Reser- 
vation — Indignation of the Band — Attempted Assassinatiou — First 
Settlemt-nt in Union — First Lawyer in County — Formation of Gi- 
rard — Prevalence of Sickness — Fluctuation of Prices — Increase of 
Emigration in 1835 — County Bounty on Wolves — New State Con- 
stitution — Dispute with Indiana atfecting Branch County — Emi- 
gration in lS3i) — Formation of Quincy and Batavia — Indian Mur- 
der — A Fantastic Funeral — Murder of Qausett — A Unique Sepul- 
chre — Whortleberries fur the Dead — Seizing the Skeleton — Running 
a Durwin — Anson Burlingame — Speculation — Masonville — Good- 
winsville — State Conventions — The Branch County Delegates — 
Admission of the State — State Roads — Great Excitement in 1837 — 
Grand Scheme of Internal Improvements — The Southern Railroad 
— Five New Townships — Building a Jail — Wild-Cat and " Red- 
Dog" Currency — First Newspapers — Wondert'ul Number of Tav- 
erns — The Great Crash — Hard Times — Three more Townships — ■ 
More about the Jail — Good Crop of Wolf Scalps — Board of County 
Commissioners — Terrible Sickness — The Poor- Farm — Habits of the 
Indians — Murder of Sauquett — .\rrest of the Murderer — Removal 
of the Indians — Their Subsequent Fate — Beginning of a New Era. 

As was stated in the last chapter, the act dividing Green 
into the two townships of Coldwater and Prairie River 
took efiect on the 1st day of March, 1833. The latter 
township afterwards became Bronson. As Green com- 
prised the whole county, we have recorded a large part of 
its official proceedings in the general history, but now that 
separate townships have been established we must leave 
their story to be told in their respective township histories. 
We will mention one somewhat curious fact, however, as it 
involves the resuscitation of the old name. Green. Among 
the Territorial laws is an act approved April 23, 1833, 
changing the name of the township of Prairie River to 
that of Green. The law changing the name back to Prairie 
River is not given in the statute-book, but must have been 
passed that same session, as at the meeting of the super- 
visors the ensuing autumn that township was represented 
under the name of Prairie River. Tiiis was not changed 
to Bronson till several years later. 

At the first election for county officers, held in April, 
1833, William McCarty was chosen sheriff, and Wales 
Adams clerk, Seth Dunham treasurer and register of deeds. 
Peter Martin was appointed probate judge by the Governor. 
The new register and treasurer moved to Branch, the county- 
seat, in the woods, and established an office in temporary 
quarters there. Clerk Adams also appointed Mr. Dunham 
deputy clerk ; so that he performed the duties of three 
offices. 

The first public records in the county were made in the 
register's office. The first record of a deed was made on 
the 4th day of April, 1833, the deed itself being dated 
January 28 the same year. The grantor was John Allen, 
and the grantee was the register himself, Seth Dunham. 
The consideration was two hundred dollars, and the prop- 
erty was described as follows : 

" The equal individual one-fourth part of a mill privi- 
lege, together with three acres of land, situate and lying 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



49 



on the east side of Coldwater, being a part of section 30, 
in township 6, south of range 6 west, beginning at a cherry- 
tree on the mill-dam across Coldwater, and thence running 
north three chains to the creek ; thence north twenty-one 
degrees east, three chains and eighty links to a stake on 
the bank of the creek ; thence east four chains and forty- 
seven links to a stake; thence south seven chains and 
twenty-five links to the pond ; thence north sixty degrees 
west to the place of beginning, — containing three acres, 
more or less." This was part of the " Pocahontas" Mill 
property above Hitinch. 

Tlie deed, wliich contained a covenant of warranty, was 
executed in presence of William Dunham and Robert J. 
Cross, and was acknowledged before Robert J. Cross, jus- 
tice of the peace, on the day of its date. 

The deed of earliest date which we could find recorded 
in the book was dated Jan. 19, 1831, more than two years 
before the organization of the county. The grantors were 
Hugh Campbell and Emma, his wife ; the grantee was 
Joseph C. Corbus. It was acknowledged on the day of its 
date before Heniah Jones, Jr , who described himself as a 
justice of the peace for Lenawee County, his residence 
being at Jonesville, Hillsdale Co., then attached to Len- 
awee. It was filed for record on the 10th day of June, 
1S33, and covered the east half of the northeast f|uarter of 
section 21, township 5 south, range G west (now Girard). 

The first mortgage on record was dated Jan. 25, 1833, 
being made by James B. Stuart, of Yp.silanti, Washtenaw 
Co., to Abram V. Bolton, then of Napoleon, Jackson 
Co. The consideration was twelve hundred dollars, and 
it covered the .southwest quarter fraction of section 17, 
in township G south, range G west, containing a hundred 
and sixteen acres. This was the site of Mr. Bolton's un- 
fortunate city, where the county-.seat was first located. The 
mortgage in question was signed in presence of H. Warner 
and Robert J. Cross, acknowledged before Robert J. Cross 
on the same day, and filed for record on the 13th day of 
May, 1833. The fee was one dollar, being somewhat 
liigher than at present. It was discharged on the 9th day 
of January, 1836. 

The first court (higher than that of a justice of the 
peace), a session of which was held in the count)', was that 
held by Peter Martin, judge of probate. The record is as 
follows : 

*' Estate of John Corbus, deceased. 

" At a special session of the probate court, held for the county of 
Branch, at the store of Silas A. Ilolbrook, in the township of Cold- 
water, on the 20th day of August, A.n. 18,i3. 

'* In the matter of the estate of John Corbus, deceased : Upon the 
petition of Silas A. Holbrook and Joseph C. Corbus, praying to be 
appointed administrators on the estate of the said John Corbus, de- 
cca-ied, late of liranch County; the court having duly considered the 
said petition ; ordered that administration be committed to the said 
petitioners, on said eatule, and they arc hereby authorized to settle 
the same as the law direct.-!, and to make a final return to this court 
on the 20th day of August, 1834; said administrators having been 
duly sworn. 

"Attest, Seth DrsiiAM, lleijialer." 

"Terkitory ok Miciiiga.v, ) 

Rkgister's Office, Bhanch Corxrv. ) 

" To Joseph C. Corbus and a Silas A. Holbrook. Tou are hereby 
appointed joint administrators of the estate of John Corbus, late of 
the township of Coldwater, in the countv of Branch, and Territory of 

7 



Michigan, deceased, anil you arc hereby required to have a true in- 
ventory taken of all the said estate, and that you make due returns 
to this court within three months from the date hereof, and also make 
a final return of all you shall do in the premises within one year from 
this date. 

"Dated Branch, Aug. 20, IS.IS. 
[L. S.] "Petkii Martix, 

*' Jitilijc of Pfobnte, llrai\ch Conuti/, Michiijnn Icrritorif/' 

"Fees, Admiuistrntion bond 50 

Li.-tter of administration 37i 

Seiiliiig same 25 

Warrant of appraij^ul 25 

Seal 25 

Oath 2.'> 

Filing bond 6^ 

$1.94" 

The second letters of administration were granted to Dr. 
Enoch Chase, on the estate of Paul Dewitt, on the 21st 
day of October, 1833, and no more were granted till Sep- 
tember, 183-1. Only forty-eight letters of administration 
were granted down to December, 1841. 

The county clerk and his deputy had very little to do 
down to the holding of court in the autumn of 1833. One 
of his duties was to record marriage certificates. The fol- 
lowing is a copy of the first one on record : 

"TF.nniTonv ok Mirnir.AS. f 
CoiNTV or IJranm:!!. ) 

" I, Uobert J. Cross, a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid, 
do hereby certify that on the llth day of July, 183.'!, I married Allen 
Stoddard, of Detroit, Jlichigan Territory, to Mary Estlow, of Branch 
County, according to the act to regulate marriage. Coldwater, 28th 
September, 1833. Robert J. Cross, J. P." 

The second certificate was recorded by Alfred L. Driggs, 
justice of the peace, certifying the marriage of the worthy 
clerk, Wales Adams, and Polly Waterman, both of Prairie 
River township. 

We also go forward a year and insert here the sixth 
record on the book, and the first one made by a mini.ster 
of the gospel, a very brief one, signed by Bishop Chase, 
which reads as follows : 

"Michigan Territory,) 
Branch County. J 

" I certify that on the 25th day of December, 1834, I joined Samuel 

Chase and Russell in holy wedlock, in presence of a congregation 

assembled for Christian worship. Pm. Chase." 

It may be added that two hundred and twenty-four mar- 
riage certificates are recorded in the first book devoted to 
that purpose, extending from July 14, 1833, to the 2d day 
of August, 1842. 

Supervisors were duly elected for the townships of Cold- 
water and Prairie River, who constituted the whole board. 
At the first meeting the " board" consisted of one man, as 
appears by the record for that year, which we give entire : 

"Silas A. Holbrook, supervisor for the township of Coldwater, did 
appear at the Court-Honsc in the village and county of Branch on 
the first Tuesday in October, the day appointed by law for the meet- 
ing of the Board of Supervisors of the respective counties in the Ter- 
ritory of Michigan. 

" There not being a quorum j)resent, the meeting of the board was 
adjourned to the house of James B. Stuart, to meet on the fifteenth of 
said month. 

"The board met according to aJjournnient ; to wit, on the fifteenth 
day of Octo'jor, A.n. U33. Present— Silas A. Holbrook, from Cold- 



50 



IIISTOHY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



water, and Jeremiah Tillotson, from Prairie River Township ; Jere- 
miah Tillotson being appointed president of the board, and Seth 
Dunham clerk. 

*' The board then proceeded to the transaction of business. Ordered 
that the following accounts be allowed and orders drawn on the treas- 
urer for their respective amounts : 

To William McCarty, sheriff of said county, for ]iut- 

ting up notices uf delegate election S5.00 

Summoning grand jury for Oct. term, 1S33 10.00 

Services in the case of the People r»). David Stanton, 

June 14, 1S33 2.S7i 

Pees, James B. Tompkins, a justice of the peace in 

the above case 87i 

Robert J. Cross, ditto l.On" 

Seymour L. Bingham, ditto $1.37t 

Hiram B. Hunt, witness 2.25 

Seth Dunham, Deputy Clerk, County — canvasser of 

delegate election $1.00 

Making out notices to assessors for jury 1.00 

Drawing grand jury and issuing venire 1.50 

$3.50 

" Ordered that all the demands against the townships of Green, and 
which have been audited by the said township board, be redeemed 
by the county of Branch, and orders drawn on the treasurer for the 
respective amounts. 

Town order in favor of Philip Omsted SI. 00 

Moses Omsted, ditto 2.00 

William Shay 1.00 

John Croy 2.25 

Benjamin Booth 1.50 

Philander Chase 1.50 

David J. Pierson 7.00 

John Morse 1.00 

Abisha Sanders 1.50 

James B. Tompkins 11.00 

Robert J. Cross 1.32 

Ordered that five dollars be raised to purchase a blank 

book for the use of the board S5.00 

That there be raised twenty-five dollars for the town- 
ship expenses of Coldwater, and twenty-five dol- 
lars for Prairie River township 60.00 

"Ordered that one-half of 1 per centum be raised for township and 
county expenses for 1833. 

" The board then adjourned to meet again on Monday, the 21st day 
of October, at the county clerk's office. 

*'The board met pursuant to adjournment, and the following ac- 
counts audited : 

In favor of Silas A. Holbrook for services, three days 

attending the board $3.00 

Taking collector's bond 1.00 

§4.00 

Jeremiah Tillitson, two days attending the board and 

taking collector's bond 3.00 

Allowed to Seth Dunham for services as clerk of the 

board 5.00 

Warrant isued to Seymour L. Bingham, CuUeetor for 

Coldwater 99.63 

To James M. Uile, Collector for Prairie River town- 
ship 97.27 

" Ordered that Seth Dunham be and be is authorized to purchase a 
blank book for the use of the board, and the board then adjourned 
without day. 

"J. Tillitson, 1 

"S. A. Holbrook./ •S"i'""'<""«- 

"Seth Dunham, Clerk." 

The first Circuit Court wits held by Hon. William A. 
Fletcher, Ciicuit Judge, iu Octojjer, 1833. The eusuiug 
record shows the opening of the court, with the names of 
the first grand jury : 

"At a session of the Circuit Court of the Territory of Michigan, 
holden in and for the county of Branch, at the court-house in the 
village of Branch, in said county, on Monday, the 21st day of October, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three; 
present, William A. Fletcher, presiding judge ; Silas A. Holbrook and 
William A, Kent, associate judges. 



"The court being duly opened, the grand jury were called, and 
the following persons answered to their names: Jeremiah Tillitson, 
Lemuel Bingham, Abisha Sanders, Elisha Warren, Benjamin II. 
Smith, Loren Marsh, John Cornish, Joseph Hanchett, Peter Martin, 
John Wilson, James B. Stuart, Joseph C. Corbus, David J. Pierson, 
Christopher Hartsough, Allen Tibbits, Robert J. Cross, Ellis Russell, 
Samuel Craig, Frederick Lino. Thereupon Robert J. Cross was ap- 
pointed foreman. The jury were then sworn, charged by the court, 
and retired to consider of their presentment. 

" Ordered that Neal McGaffey be prosecuting attorney the present 
term. 

* ■* -t- i!? * * i'^ * S- 

" The foregoing minutes were examined and signed in open court 
the 21st day of October, 1833, and then the court adjourned without 
day. 

" Wm. A. Fletcher, Presidhiy Judge. 

"Wales Adams, Clerk. 

" Seth Dunham, Deputij." 

We have been at some pains to show the various oflBcial 
beginnings of the new county. We now turn to matters 
of more general interest. During the year 1833 the gov- 
ernment built the Chicago road through the county of 
Brancli, forty feet of it in the middle being leveled and the 
stumps being " grubbed" out, while for thirty feet on each 
side the trees were cut as low as possible. 

In September, 1833, George B. Porter, Territorial Gov- 
ernor of Michigan, made a treaty with Sauquett, the half- 
breed chief before mentioned, and several other Indians who 
claimed to be chiefs, by which they agreed to cede to the 
United States the Nottawa-seepe Reservation, the last home 
of the Puttaivattamies in IMichigan. The band was to re- 
main two years, and then to be removed beyond the Mis- 
sissippi. A majority of the band were bitterly opposed to 
the treaty, declaring that Sauquett and his confederates had 
no authority to make it, that bribery had been used to pro- 
cure their assent, and that they, the malcontents, would 
never accept the payment agreed upon nor leave the land 
of their ancestors. 

The " big payment" for the purchased lands came off in 
December, 1833, at Marantelle's trading-post, in the present 
township of Menden, St. Joseph County. Shortly before 
the payment the United States oflBcials took thither several 
wagon-loads of goods and several thousand dollars in silver, 
to make the payment agreed upon. All the Indians of the 
band were assembled at the designated point, and a bitter 
di.spute was carried on among them regarding the accept- 
ance of the payment. A majority were in favor of reject- 
ing the money and goods, and making a desperate effort to 
remain on the reservation. Negotiations were kept up for 
several days. Sauquett and his friends were in a minority, 
but he was eloquent and influential, and used all his elo- 
quence and influence to bring about the acceptance of the 
payment and the ratification of the treaty. He was finally 
successful, and the Indians received the goods and money, 
though with great dissatisfaction. 

In the course of the proceedings, however, Sauquett came 
very near sacrificing his life. Having imbibed an extra 
allowance of whisky one day (we believe it was just after 
the acceptance of the payment), he came upon the ground 
where the warriors were assembled mounted upon a fine 
horse, with a splendid saddle and equipments, dressed in 
the uniform of a military oflScer, with epaulettes, sash, and 
plumed hat, and armed with sword and pistols (these 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



51 



arms and equipments had been presented to him by Gov- 
ernor Porter). Swinging his sword over his head, he cried 
out, — 

" I have sold the land, and would sell it again for two 
quarts of whisky." 

Instantly a warrior named Quansett sprang forward, 
snatched one of Sauquett's pistols from its holster, cocked 
it, aimed it at the chief's breast, and pulled tlie trigger. It 
missed fire. Sauquett immediately struck at the assassin 
with his sword, cutting through his blanket and a large plug 
of tobacco rolled up inside of it, but not wounding him. 
For a short time a battle royal seemed imminent between 
the infuriated factions, but Mr. Marantelle, who had great 
influence over the Indians, took Quansett out of the way, 
and persuaded the others to refrain from violence. 

Emigration went forward but slowly through the year, 
notwithstanding the opening of the Chicago road. Still, 
quite a number of new settlers came in. In the autumn 
Justus S. Goodwin made the first .settlement in the present 
township of Union, locating at the site of Union City. 
Mr. Goodwin was a lawyer, and had practiced several years 
before coming to this county, in which he was the first 
member of the legal profession. As may be imagined, 
there being no litigants but wolves and bears around Union 
City, he did not at first attempt to practice there, devoting 
himself to the more promising employment of building a 
saw-mill. Afterwards he practiced there for several years ; 
the village which grew up there being at first known as 
Goodwinsville. 

About the same time, or a little later, Abram Aldrich 
establi-shed himself at what is now known as Orangeville, 
in the same township, and began the erection of a grist-mill 
there. This was the second grist-mill in the county, and 
really the first of any consequence. 

In the .spring of 18.34 a new township was formed out 
of the northern tier of survey-townships ; two being taken 
from Coldwater and two from Prairie River. 

The pioneers suffered in full measure all the usual hard- 
ship incident to the conquest of the wilderness, and were also 
subjected to even more than the usual quantum of sickness. 
The soil was extremely fertile and some of it quite wet ; 
when turned up by the plow, malarious gases escaped in 
great quantity, and the fever and ague was extremely prev- 
alent and very severe. As an item of evidence on this 
point, we may mention that in \S.\\ the Board of Super- 
visors allowed Dr. Hill sixty dollars for medical attendance 
on county paupers. In that sparse and poor but industri- 
ous and independent population, paupers wore very few and 
professional services cheap ; all the paupers must have been 
sick to have involved an expenditure of sixty dollars. 

Great inconvenience was also felt on account of the ex- 
treme fluctuation of the prices of produce. In the spring, 
if there was much emigration, nearly all the grain would be 
consumed for food and seed; and, as all supplies had to be 
brought from Ohio at a heavy expense, the prices of farm 
produce would rule extremely high. Af\er harvest, when 
the people had plenty to sell, it would sink to a quarter of 
the previous amounts. Harvey Warner, Esq., relates that 
he has jiuid ten dollars a barrel fiir flour brought from 
Ohio before harvest, and after harvest the same year he 



sold his wheat for thirty-seven and a half cents a bushel. 
Tran.sportation from Lake Erie was nine dollars a barrel. 

In 1835 emigration increased very largely. The fears 
aroused by the Black Hawk war had passed away, and the 
Chicago road again teemed with white-covered wagons, 
filled with grave-looking women and tow-headed children, 
while one or two brawny men tramped by the side of each ; 
some with rifles on their shoulders, and some with only the 
peaceful ox-goad, but all intent upon making a home for 
themselves and families in the fertile West. Every little 
while a family drojiped off in Branch County. Log houses 
went up here and there in every direction (frame ones were 
quite unthought of outside of two or three little villages, 
and even these were exceedingly scarce), and in every 
direction, too, at the proper season, were seen the dense 
clouds of smoke arising from the logging-field, where 
grimy men and straining cattle with infinite toil prepared 
the timbered land for the plow. 

A few sheep began to be introduced ; but they required 
sharp watching and the most careful guarding at night to 
protect them from the gray-backed prowlers, whose howls 
could be heard every night in the woods. The tiret county 
bounty for wolves was offered by the Board of Supervisors 
on the 6th of October, 1835, in the following terms: 

" Ordered by the board, that every person who shall 
take and kill a full-grown she wolf within the limits of 
the county of Branch, shall be entitled to receive as a 
reward the sum of S2, and to be paid out of the county 
treasury; and for every whelp the sum of SI, to be paid 
in manner aforesaid." 

It was in this year that the State constitution of Michi- 
gan was formed by a convention elected for the purpose and 
adopted by the people, whereupon application was made to 
Congress for admission as a State. This was postponed 
another year on account of the celebrated controversy with 
Ohio (commonly called the " Toledo war") over the possession 
of a narrow strip between the two States, running from To- 
ledo to the east line of Indiana. This controversy afl'ected 
the size of Hillsdale County, but not of Branch, the Indiana 
line being a little east of the east line of the latter countj'. 

The contest with Ohio, with its mu.stering of militia and 
its furious proclamations on either side, made a great com- 
motion. It is perhaps not generally known that there w;is 
a similar controversy between Michigan and Indiana which 
afl^ectcd the limits of Branch County. By the law formitig 
Michigan Territory, passed in 1805, its southern boundary 
was a line running east from the southern boundary of 
Lake Michigan. In 1816, when Indiana w;js admitted as 
a State, its northern boundary was by act of Congress 
moved ten miles farther north. Michigan objected to this 
on the ground that the ordinance of 1787, passed before the 
adoption of the Federal constitution, had designated the 
line through the southern extremity of the lake as the 
boundary between the States thereafter to be formed, and 
that Congress had no power to change it. But the ordi- 
nance of 1787 did not definitely make that the line (though 
it might be inferred that such was its meaning), and besides, 
Congress held the power to make whatever laws it saw 
proper regarding the Territories up to the time of their 
admission as States. 



53 



IJISTOKY OF BKANOEI iXUNTr, MICHIGAN. 



rho liuitaiut vvntiworsv \v;»s K\<t sight of in the more 
excitiiii: lUio with lUiio ; but tho L.^irislature of Michigan 
piKjsed a law making an of{t>r to Indiana to submit the Ik)uu- 
dary question to the Suprvme Court of the Uuitevl States, 
Indiana paid no attention to this pn>pvvsition. the influence 
lU' Oongivss was against interfering with the boundary it 
had its<t>lf established, and Michigan finally gave np the 
contest. Had its views prevailed. Branch County would 
have been just ten miles longer north and south than it 
IK>W is. 

In the spring of 1S36 outigratioa s« in with redoubled 
volume. In the language of one of the old se«leis, it 
s«»emed as if the whole cvHiniry was alive with emigrants. 
By this time all the prairie lands in the county were piu^ 
ch!>s«.\l ftvnn the gv>vernnient, and the new settlers erowdevl 
into the heavy timber and attacked the giant wbitewooils 
and black walnuts with dauntless clergy. The present 
township of Xoble was settlevl in ltvi6, and in fact by the 
clos»? of this year there was nvH a survey-towuship in the 
county in which there wen? not s«>ute white settlers. 

Two new civil townships were formed this year, Quiuoy 
and Batavia. The fv>rmer embracv^ the present townshij>s 
of Algansee and Cslitbniia, while the Utter included the 
tract now known as Bethel and Gilead. 

The time for the removal of the Indians under the treaty 
of ISoo havl i>ow elapsed, but they showed no iiK-linatioo 
to leave their oM homes. The whites speedily occupied 
their ress-vatiou at Xottawa-seepe, but thet* was still such 
an immeitse auHnint of unused land in thb jxart of Michi- 
gan, that they could iv>am annind almc^ at will without 
eoutiii^ into c«tttsiou with their civiliied neighK>rs^ Theie 
wer« a R>w cases in Si. J».>seph County of serious cvwflicis 
betweeu iiKitviduais of the rival races, but thetv were nv>ne 
wf anj consevjueuce in this county. 

There were, however, a number oi cv^udicts among the 
Indians themselves. s»me of which ended tatally. Some of 
th«se an.is« out of the okt feud about the sale of the leser- 
Tatiou. miiKrled with whisky, and s»Mne sj»rang tn>m whisky 
alv^e. Of the latter class was otie which ocvunvd in the 
^mitg of IS^i^. wheu a drunken youiig Indian struck his 
itK^hiiT with a club and kilkd her. Kt.>laud Root. Esq., 
who setiW at C^Udwater that year, hel^vd bury her. The 
Ittvltaos made a coffin — a fearfuUtx>kittg thing — out of 
pieces of wood split off ftom a tree, put the cvrpse in it, 
aud th«i )>«tt it on tww poksv Some Indians started to 
carry it to the burind-jibee. But they had assuaged their 
grief with nauteKwts drinks of whisky, aud in a stK>rt time 
s«w» of tWni fell down aud the «i«|«e M out. Theo they 
&£teaedl tke poles o« ei:" - :he rear en<k 

dia^^W^oa thegrvHUtd.:* - - invi thejn.H»y, 

they &steued the cvAn with strips of bark. lu this way 
they Muiaged to lettck the grave attd buried the K>iy. 
TWm a dfeh of " bouiUoa" ^soup^ w*5 piac«>i at the hetkd 
«>f the grave, for the use of the di^>arted spirit, and the 
Indiatt$ returned to fiu^ their spree. 

Tt»e wvxitan s htt^itd. TvHMsahee yU'X the aged chief 
of that itaate. who w^ .ad at that time, but a 

|^vd~«atured. lather dul. .,......., . ; the band \ did aot »> 

eomjvuiy the v.vrjee to the grave, but went off by hiittseif 
to wotum kts k^. Tkis kuss, koveTer. w»s «ottsidei«d to 



be made good to him when the murvlerer i^who we conclude 
was the son of the slain woman by another husband'^ gave 
him a pony and a gun. This settled matteis with the be- 
reaved huslvind, and as the slayer was drunk when he 
ciMumittevl the murder, the tribe considered it a case of ex- 
cusable homicide. 

A still more exciting event was the murder of Quausett. 
the same who had attempted to kill Sau-au-t^ueit. as before 
related, at the time of the p.-«ymeut. in 1S33, in St. Joseph 
County. The old feud had been kept up. and one day the 
two men engager! in a bitter cjuamjl at Coldwater. Sau-au- 
quett had a little squaw who was at times quite amiable, 
but who, when her passions were arv>tt^. or she was under 
the influence of liquor, was as fierce as any of the warriors. 

AVhile Sau-au-queit and Quansett were calling each other 
all the hard names they could think of. this squaw stood 
behind her husband. £ither thinking that Quansett was 
about to make an attack, or becoming incensed at his abuse, 
she snatched her husband's long, green-handled hunting- 
knife from his helt, slid aivmnd behind Quansett, and 
{Junged the knife into his back, driving it entirely through 
him. He fell dead with scarcely a strug^. 

This murder, too, was coudoited by the presentation of a 
pouy. saddle, aud bridle by Sau-au-queu to the sou of the 
murvlerevl man. 

Quausett was buried in a very singular manner, even for 
Indians to adopt. They out down a large whitewood-tree, 
cut notches in it. and split off a slab ou the upper side. 
Then they dug out and burned out a hole brge enough to 
h<4d the corjBe. After laying it there they r<q>laced the 
slab on the top. Then they tried w lell trees aexviss the 
big whitewood, to hold the slab down : but they had not 
the white mau's skill in the tise of the axe, and their at- 
tempt was a £iihue. So thej contented theiuselveis bj 
" ' ' _ stakes crvBswise over the slab into the grv^uud. 

^ c time afterwards ^in berry-time"* young Harvey 
Haynes went to thb curious grave with a triend, pushed 
away the slab, aud looked in. The body lay there some- 
what decayed, and at its head were several quarts of whor- 
tleberries whidt soBie friendly hand had placed there. 
Wheih^ it was really expected that the warrior's spirit 
could live ou whortleberries, or whether the act was merely 
an expiesstou of frtewkhip, is a point we mc^ leave for the 
decision of ilMse more thoroughly versed in the Indiaa 
character than o«urs«dves. 

The same autumn Pr. Owkfii^ a physician pnetidi^ 
at Coldwater. determined to increase his store of nkedical 
lote by obtainiug the skeleton of poor Quaitsett. He ac- 
corxiiugly to>.^k the rewains of the l^dy ftou its singular 
leceptacie- and carried it over north to the ktnks of Mud 
Oieek. taktii^ along a small kettle to &eilitate hk <^)ei»- 
tioi^ There he boiled the fiesh ftow the hones, and re- 
toraed at night with the latter in a ba^. If the Indians 
dbvovered tke o&nse they were unable to find out ti^ 
pspetiaior. otherwise it w^t have &rad hard with tke 
lawiess ^<n of KscnIapiiK. 

Then* w«s a council heM at Coldwater, in lSo6 or lSo7, 
on the subject of goi^ West, in weordanee with the treaty. 
The /Vfamtfhtw*^ caste fiow far and near. Fttai^ees, 
or little Biid, the «ckM>«fadged keaKl chief of the tribe, 



UlSTOlil' OF lillANCU COUNTS, MICHIGAN. 



S3 



was present, but did not take either side of the eontroversy. 
Ilo WHS sevonty-fivo years old, and, wlion called im to speak, 
said lie had but a iitlle while to live, either in the Kast or 
the West, and would leave the deeision of the ([uestion of 
emigration to younger men, who had more interest in the 
matter. There was a good deal of desultory eloquence, 
and many denunciations of the white men who had ob- 
tained their land, but nothing definite was agreed upon, 
and the Indians still continued to wander about the 
country. 

Mr. Marsh still carried on his trading-house west of Cold- 
water lliver. lie was accustomed not only to trade with 
the Indians who came to his post, but to send out at inter- 
vals a number of ponies and mules loaded with cloth, calico, 
ammunition, and other suitable articles, probably including 
a supply of whisky, to make the circuit of the Indian on- 
canipments for a wide distance around. The articles in 
question were traded for furs, either by Marsh himself or 
by a clerk in charge, and the furs were brought back to the 
pAst by the same means of transportation. This was called 
" runuing a durwin," though we are unable to tell the signifi- 
cation of the last word. 

Among the accounts audited by the Board of Supervisors 
in 1S36 was one of fifty dollars, by George W. Jewett, for 
services as pnjsecuting attorney at the October and April 
terms, 1S35 and 183G. This was twenty-five dollars per 
term, which was certainly re;isonable enough. No per- 
luaueut prosecuting attorney had as yet beeu appoiuted lor 
the county. 

Another vote of the bo.ird allowed two dollars to Joel 
Burlinpune, for the use of a jur^'-room. This gentleman 
came to Branch about 1835, and kept the tavern there for 
several years. With him came a tall, slim, tow-headed 
youngster, with blue e\'es, light complexion, and pleasant 
face, apparently about fourteen years old. Twenty years 
later he was a prominent member of Congress from Massa- 
chusetts, ami still ten years lat<;r he was known on three 
continents as the statesman and diplomatist, Anson Bur- 
lingame. 

The boy was an ordinary-looking youth, and not especially 
noticed by ordinary observers for brightness of intellect. 
He did chores about the tavern, ran of errands, tended bar, 
and jierformed the usual miscellaneous tasks incident to his 
situation. He was fond of hunting and was an excellent 
marksman, — an attribute which, when he became a Con- 
gressman, gave him exemption from the challenges and 
caniugs by which the slave-driving chivalry endeavored to 
carry their points. 

After four or five years' stay in Branch County, young 
Burlingame returned to Detroit, whence the family had 
come, and entered the office of a friendly lawyer, who had 
observed his promising characteristics and desired to aid 
him. Thence he went to the law-school at Cambridge, 
Mass., the very centre of New England culture, and grad- 
uated there with high honor. Not only that, but the raw 
Branch County boy was able to begin practice in compe- 
tition with the able jurists of the Massachusetts bar, to 
achieve very speedily a decided success, to enter the arena 
of politics with e<|ual good fortune, and to become, while 
yet comparatively a young man, one of the most prominent 



membei's of the national legislature. Ilis subsequent career 
as minister to China, and then .is minister from China to 
the whole civilized world, is a part of the history of the 
nation, but can hardly be dwelt upon here. 

To return from the field of international affairs in 1868 
to the forests of Branch County in 1835, the next accounts 
after Joel Burlinganie's, ordered paid by the supervisors, 
were one of two dollars to Zachariah Crook, one of three 
dollars to 0. B. Wright, and another of the same amount 
to the .same person, all for wolf-scalps. As this wa.s all 
that was paid that year for that purpose, it is evident that 
the reward offered was not enough to tempt the pioneers 
into the wolf business. There were certainly wolves enough 
to operate on, if it had been worth while. 

The great increase of emigration naturally favored specu- 
lation, which was indeed rampant all over the country. 
The old site of Coldwatcr, formerly owned by Captain Bol- 
ton, was now platted as a village by the name of Mason- 
ville, in honor of the jouthful Governor of Michigan, Stevens 
T. Mason. Its proprietors had not yet despaired of obtain- 
ing the location of the county-seat there, and a vigorous 
contest for that honor went on between Branch, Coldwatcr, 
and Masonviilc. 

There was also much excitement at the mouth of the 
Coldwatcr, where the village of Goodwinsville (now Union 
Cityl had been laid out in 1835. This point was consid- 
ered to be at the bead of navigation on the St. Joseph 
lliver, and a proper point for the connection of that naviga- 
tion with a canal from Lake Erie. The value of railroads 
not having yet been demonstrated, canal and river naviga- 
tion was looked on as the most reliable, and the people of 
Goodwinsville believed their place almost certain to become 
the metropolis of Southern Michigan. 

The difficulties attending the admission of Michiiran as 
a State have already been mentioned. The State govern- 
ment went into full operation in 1S35, but Congress de- 
clined to admit it into the Union, except on condition that 
it should acknowledge the title of Ohio to the disputed 
territory. The Legislature called a convention, which met 
at Detroit in September, 1S36, to decide on the acceptance 
or rejection of the proposition of Congress. Hon. Harvey 
Warner was the delegate from Branch County : he being 
the first member from this county of any legal State 
Assembly. 

The proposition of Congress was rejected, but 3Ir. War- 
ner voted in its favor and .signed a protest against the 
action of the majority. The people were believed to be in 
favor of accepting the proposition and entering the Unimi. 
Another convention was therefore called informally, to 
which delegates were elected by general consent. James 
B. Tompkins, of Girard, was chosen as delegate from this 
county, but did not attend the convention. That body met 
in December, at Ann Arbor, and accepted the proposals of 
Congress, and in the forepart of 1 837 MiehiLran w;is admitted 
as a State. 

Though there were as yet no railroads, everything went 
ahead at railroad speed for the time being, under the influ- 
ence of an inflated currency. Some idea of the general 
eagerness for improvements may be g-ained from a drv item 
to be found in the Territorial laws. On a single day ( March 



5i 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



2G, 1836) no less than eight State roads were authorized 
by the Legislature to be laid out wholly or partially in the 
county of Branch. They were as follows: 

One from Coldwater through Centreville and Constantine 
(St. Joseph County) to the Indiana line. The commis- 
sioners to lay it out were Hiram Alden, Benjamin Sher- 
man, and Columbia Lancaster. 

One from French's tavern, where the Chicago road 
crossed Prairie River, to Constantine. Commissioners, 
William Meek, Willis T. House, and William A. Kent. 

One from Adrian, Lenawee Co., to the section line, a 
mile north of the line between townships 6 and 7 ; thence 
west on the same line, as near as may be, into Branch 
County, and to the Chicago road. Commissioners, Addison 
J. Comstock, John Hutchins, and George C. Gibbs. 

One running from Prairie Ronde, Kalamazoo Co., to the 
Chicago road, near Jonesville, Hillsdale Co. Commission- 
ers, Andrew McKinstry, Isaiah W. Bennet, and J. B. 
Tompkins. 

One from Coldwater through Girard and Goodwinsville 
(now Union City) to or near Battle Creek, Calhoun Co. 
Commissioners, Matthew Brink, Martin Barnhart, and 
Sands McCarnly. 

One from French's tavern to Centreville, Cassopolis, and 
the mouth of the St. Joseph River. Commissioners, 
Thomas W. Langley and E. B. Sherman. 

One from the county-seat of Calhoun County to that of 
Branch County, and thence, in the direction of Fort Wayne, 
to the Indiana line. Commissioners, Sidney S. Olcott, 
Martin Olds, and Jared Pond. 

One from the county-seat of Branch County to intersect 
the Chicago road near the east end of Coldwater Prairie. 
Commissioners, Elisha Warren, Augustin J. Goddard, and 
Seth Dunham. 

Although these highways bore the imposing title of 
" State roads," yet it was expressly provided that the State 
should not be liable for damages or expenses, and that they 
should be under the management of the township com- 
missioners, the same as township roads. The act was to 
become void as to all roads not laid out by the 1st day of 
January, 1840. 

The year 1837 opened with the excitement of business 
and speculation at greater height than ever before. The 
newly-admitted State began its career by projecting a vast 
scheme of internal improvements, intended to flood the 
people with prosperity in the briefest possible time. A law 
was passed in February providing for three railroads to be 
built by the State government : the Northern, Central, 
and Southern. The Southern road was intended to run 
through the southern tier of counties, and there was natu- 
rally much strife as to the location. Lines were surveyed 
through Coldwater and Branch, and work was commenced 
on the road in Lenawee County by commissioners appointed 
by the State. There was also much talk of running the 
Central road through Goodwinsville, over the route now fol- 
lowed by the air-line branch of that road. In fact, there was 
a very general expectation that all the people would become 
rich in a few years, through the influence of the numerous 
improvements projected. While awaiting the fruition of 
their schemes, we will turn for a time to other matters. 



Possibly it was on account of the suddenly-developed 
(imaginary) wealth of the county that so many now town- 
ships were formed this year; no less than five being added 
to the list; Union, Sherwood, Ovid, Gilead, and Elizabeth 
(now Bethel). This just doubled the previous number. 

Down to this time the courts had continued to be held 
at the school-house at Branch, and criminals were kept in 
the jail of St. Joseph County. It was now deemed 
proper that Branch County should have a building of its 
own, and the following extracts from the records of the 
Board of Supervisors show the action of that body on the 
subject. The meeting is described as having been con- 
vened at the court-house in the village of Branch ; but this 
was merely a form of speech, the school-house being bre- 
vetted a court-house by the courts and boards which held 
their sessions there. The record reads thus : 

•* Ordered, that .Trriingemrnt^ bs made forthwith for erecting a jail, 
and that Martin Olds, Elijah Thomas, and Juhu Waterhouse be and 
they are hereby appointed a committee to superintend and to con- 
tract for the erection of said jail, and that the same be completed on 
or before the second Tuesday of March next. 

*' Ordered, that five hundred dollars be and the same is hereby 
appropriated for the erection of the same. 

''Ordered, that said committee select a suitable site for said jail on 
one of the lots belonging to the county in the village of Branch." 

Although the building thus authorized is described by 
the humble name of jail, it was intended that a part of it 
should be occupied as a court-room. It was built during 
the summer of 1837, of hewed logs, about thirty feet 
square, the lower part being the jail and the upper part 
the court-room. This was the only public edifice in the 
county, while the county-seat remained at Branch. 

This was the celebrated period of " Wild Cat" and " Red 
Dog" currency. The removal of the deposits by President 
Jackson, and the consequent breaking down of the United 
States Bank, had resulted in the granting of charters to an 
innumerable swarm of State banks, with little coin and 
insufficient security, which made haste to issue bills to an 
almost unlimited extent. 

These were generally called " Wild-Cat" banks. Fre- 
quently these wonderful financial institutions were too 
poor to pay for engraving plates of their own, with their 
respective names upon them. To meet their wants, a large 
number of bills were engraved, with the name of the bank 
in blank. Quantities of these were purchased by the 
poorer banks, which had their own names printed on them 
in red ink. From this circumstance that was called '' Red 
Dog" currency. Two of these manufactories of unlimited 
wealth were started in the county, — one at Branch and one 
at Coldwater, — but both very speedily collapsed. A more 
complete account of them will be found in the history of 
Coldwater city and township. 

The first newspapers in the county were also begun this 
year, one at Branch, called the Michigan Star, which had 
a few weeks' priority, and one at Coldwater, named the 
Coldwater Observer. A fuller description of these two 
organs of public information is given in the chapter devoted 
to the press. 

As another indication of the amount of business then 
going on in the county, especially in the way of emigra- 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



55 



tion and travel, Dr. Alger, of Coldwater, mentions that in 
the forepart of 1837 he went from Quincy to Sturgis, and 
found thirtj'-three taverns on the Chicago road in this 
county. 

In the latter part of 1837 this prosperity began to fade 
rapidly away. It did not all di.sappear at once, but in less 
than a year it was gone, and the people were worse off 
financially than they have ever been, cither before or since. 
It was soon found that mere pieces of paper, inscribed " we 
promise to pay," when there was nothing to pay with, 
would not long retain their purchasing power, and the 
wealth of the people turned to ashes in their hands. 

Laud, which had been carried to high-tide prices by the 
prevailing inflation, especially wherever there was a possi- 
bility of building a village, now sank to a third, or less, of 
its former value. Emigration came to a standstill. Farm 
produce sank so low that it would not pay for transporta- 
tion. Farmers were unable to purchase even the common- 
est necessaries of life, aside from what they could raise, 
and nearly every busiuess-man was overwhelmed by hope- 
less bankruptcy. 

Perhaps the supervisors thought it was particularly 
necessary for the farmers to raise sheep and make their 
own cloth, as they would certainly be unable to buy any, 
for in October, 1837, they voted a bounty of five dollars 
apiece for the scalps of full-grown wolves, and three dollars 
each for those of whelps. 

In the forepart of 1838 three more new townships were 
formed, — Butler, Mattison, and Algansee. The two first 
named embraced only their present areas, but the last also 
included the present township of California. 

The jail contracted for the previous year had been erected 
according to agreement, but the agreement did not include 
the finishing of the upper room so as to be fit for the use 
of the courts, or at least the contractor did not so construe 
it. After considerable hesitation and discussion, the fol- 
lowing account was audited and paid : 

"The Cor.VTV of Ekanth Br. to .Stephen Bates. 

To building jail per contract wilh supervisor!! $370.00 

To e.xtrawork making cornice 10.00 

Cutting out throe cell- windows l..^)0 

Three window-panes 1.50 

$383.00" 

The five-dollar bounty of the previous fall evidently 
stimulated a sharp onslaught on the wolves by the marks- 
men and trappers of Branch County, the more vigorous, 
probably, because other avenues to money-making were to 
a great extent closed. The supervisors' records show the 
following audits : 

"Oct. 2, 1868. 

J. B. Woodruff, 3 wolf-ccrtificatcs $15.00 

Jacobs. Sorter, wolves 39.00 

Myron Towsley, wolves 13.00 

•Jeremiah Morrill, wolves 13.00 

William Mitchell, 2 wolves 10.00 

J. M. Blazer, 1 wolf 5,00 

Cornelius Van Aiken. 3 wolves 15.00 

Horace (iratiam, 3 wolves 13.00 

A. Arniild, 1 wolf 5.00 

"Oct. 4, 1838. 

Simeon Bn.ssclt, killing 2 wolves (besides State 

bounty) 10.00 

$138.00" 



It seems to have been thought that the wolf-business 
was becoming too profitable for the treasury of the county, 
for the order giving five dollars bounty was immediately 
repealed. 

The jail being still unfinished, the following resolutions 
were adopted by the board on the 4th of October : 

" Iii:Mi,/yc(l, That the building designed for a county jail be put in 
a state that it may bo used as such as soon as can consistently bo 
done. 

" liesoh-cii, That the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars be raised 
and applied to that purpose if that amount shall be required." 

At this period the Board of Supervisors was superseded 
by a board of three county commissioners, elected by the 
county at large, who ]ierliirined the duties previously as- 
signed to the supervisors. The new board, consisting of 
Charles G. Hammond, Enos G. Berry, and Wales Adams, 
met at Branch on the 22d of November, 1838, and drew 
lots, as required by law, to determine the length of their 
terms of service. The first named drew a term of one 
year, the second of two years, and the third of three years. 
Thenceforth, during the continuance of the board, one new 
commissioner was elected each year and held for three 
years. 

The contract for finishing the jail was not let until 
March, 1839, Elisha Warren being the contractor. No 
court was held in it until the fall of 1839, and it was used 
as a court-house and jail only about four years. 

The wolfbounties seem to have been soon restored, for 
in July, eleven were paid by the commissioners, at eight 
dollars, though possibly this was paid by the .State through 
the county ofiBcials. Cornelius Van Aiken received pay 
for two scalps; J. Wilson for one; Marshall Bixby for 
one ; J. S. Sorter for three ; J. Waterman for two ; Myron 
Tow.sley for one ; William Mitchell for one. We have 
taken considerable pains to record the amount of the busi- 
ness done in wolf-scalps, as it shows to .some extent the 
condition of the county. When there were many wolves 
it may safely be calculated that there were but few sheep, 
and when no more scalps were brought before the honorable • 
board it may safely be calculated that farms were pretty 
numerous throughout the county. 

The " Wild-Cat" banks, though now generally dead, still 
continued to vex the souls of the people by their unpleasant 
odors as much as did the wolves by their bloody deeds. 
In July, 1839, an order was passed by the board of com- 
mis.sioners directing that seventy-five dollars of " Wild- 
Cat" money, received by Seth Dunham as treasurer, should 
be accepted. It was also ordered at the same time that a 
farm of a hundred and twenty acres should be purchased 
from Mr. Dunham. This was soon placed under the charge 
of the overseers of the poor, and has been used as a county 
poor-farm ever .since. 

To add tenfold to tlie disasters of the period, the latter 
part of 1837 was characterized by fearful sickness through- 
out the county. Nearly every one was attacked by the 
ague, and in hundreds of ca.ses ague was but the prelude 
or attendant of some more deadly disease, all springing 
from the malaria let loo.se by cultivation. It is said that 
thirty-two died out of a population of about one hundred and 



56 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



forty at Coldwater, and a similar fatality devastated the 
greater part of the county. 

In 1839 a tran;edy occurred near Coldwater which created 
a decided sensation in both this county and St, Joseph, and 
perhaps had a strong influence on a question of much im- 
portance to the settlers, — the removal of the Indians. The 
band of Polhiwa/lamies, so often before mentioned, with 
the few Ottawas and C/iippewas intermingled with them, 
had continued to roam over the two counties, notwithstand- 
ing the treaty of 1833 and their acceptance of the pay- 
ment under it. There were still a host of deer and other 
game in the forest, though the number was yearly lessening 
before the advance of the pioneers. The payments yearly 
made by the United States eked out their resources, and 
nearly all were strongly averse to removing to the unknown 
country to which they were destined by the treaty. 

Their intercourse with the whites was generally friendly, 
though there were occasional quarrels between individuals 
of the two races, arising either from the too free use of 
whisky or a dispute about its sale. None of these troubles 
resulted in bloodshed. The squaws frequently brought 
wild plums and cranberries in their mococks, or bark bas- 
kets, to trade for calico, sugar, etc., at the stores in the few 
little villages of the county, while the Indians themselves 
frequently had venison or furs to dispose of for cloth and 
powder, and, above all, for whisky. " Me swap" was a com- 
mon expression in Branch County forty yeai's ago. 

Sau-auquett continued to be regarded as the head man 
of the tribe, though his authority had greatly waned since 
he had brought about the sale of the Nottawa-seepe Reser- 
vation, in 1833. The old feud arising out of that treaty, 
which had resulted in the death of Quansett (as well as of 
others outside of the county), was still kept up, and many 
of the warriors hated the stalwart half-breed with smoth- 
ered but undying rage. 

The tragedy before alluded to occurred near Coldwater. 
After being together, drinking more or less throughout the 
day, Sau-auquett and a warrior named Kakotomo went to 
a wigwam on the peninsula, between Mud Creek and Cold- 
water Lake, near the road from Coldwater to Battle Creek, 
to sleep during the night. Kakotomo had long hated the 
chief on account of the sale of the lands, but probably 
there had been some new quarrel to stimulate his wrath 
into action. With the Indian's u.sual duplicity toward his 
foe, he dissembled his anger until there was a good oppor- 
tunity to indulge it to the fullest extent. When Sau- 
au-quett was stretched in profound sleep Kakotomo arose, 
drew the chieftain's long knife from its sheath, and drove 
it through his body into the ground. He died with scarcely 
a struggle. 

The next day the body was discovered. It was known 
that Kakotomo was the last person with him, and when 
charged with the murder he did not deny it. 

" Sau-au-quett sell Indian's land. Indian kill Sau-au- 
quett. Who care?" 

The murderer was promptly arrested by the authorities 
of Branch County. Sau au-quett's friends came and de- 
manded him, in order that they might punish him in their 
own fashion. Their request was, of course, refused. In a 
short time the crime was condoned by them on account of 



the gift of a pony, blankets, saddle, etc., to Sau-au-quett's 
nearest relatives by the friends of Kakotomo, according to 
Indian custom. Then the friends of the homicide came 
and demanded his release. The murder liad been paid for 
and everybody was satisfied. Why .should the poor man 
be kept in pri.son any longer? But the officers were equally 
impervious to this appeal. 

Yet there was a strong disposition on the pare of the 
whites to make the murder subservient to their wish to get 
the Indians out of Michigan. It was not pleasant to have 
them running their knives through each other in defiance 
of our laws, nor was it desirable to assume the task of try- 
ing and punishing them with all the formality and expense 
of civilized tribunals. And if they found that they were 
allowed to kill each other with impunity, they would be 
very likely to satiate their capricious hatred upon some of 
the whites in a similar manner, as in fact had been the case 
in St. Joseph County. 

Besides, the vagrant, begging habits of the Indians, 
those earliest of Michigan tramps, were unquestionably 
disagreeable to the enterprising and industrious pioneers of 
Branch County. When the noble red man, brawny and 
stalwart, but ready to starve to death rather than to labor, 
sought food and shelter for himself, his wife, and his pa- 
poose, it was contrary to the custom of the emigrant from 
New Kngland or New York to refuse such a trifle, but it 
roused his contemptuous anger to look upon a man so indo- 
lent and shiftless. All were anxious that the Indians 
should go. 

Application was made to the Governor of Michigan, and 
by him to the general government. The Governor also 
wrote to the Hon. E. G. Fuller, prosecuting attorney of 
Branch County, authorizing him to enter a ttolle prosequi 
in the case of the State of Michigan vs. Kakotomo, pro- 
vided it would expedite the removal of the Indians. The 
band, as a whole, would not agree to remove on condition 
of Kakotomo's release, but some of the friends of the pris- 
oner promised to promote a removal if he was let loose, and 
the assassin himself, to whom imprisonment was wor.se than 
death, was more than willing to place himself far beyond 
the reach of the white man's law. 

At length, in the autumn of 1840, all other means having 
failed. Gen. Brady was sent from Detroit with a detachment 
of United States troops to effect the removal of the Indians. 
A small force was sent into Hillsdale County to gather up 
the band of Baw-Beese, while the main body undertook the 
management of those in Branch and St. Joseph Counties. 
It was not an easy task. The older and more intelligent 
Indians submitted quietly, though sullenly, to what was 
plainly an inevitable necessity, but many of the squaws hid 
themselves in the forest, and many of the young warriors 
broke away even after they had been gathered into camp 
and were surrounded with troops. 

But at last, after several days' manoeuvering, all or nearly 
all were collected together, Baw-Beese and his band were 
brought in from Hillsdale County, and then the mournful 
cortege, closely guarded by the soldiers, set out for the far 
West. The Indians were escorted by land to the Illinois 
River, and thence taken by steamboat down that stream 
and the Mississippi to St. Louis, and up the Missouri to 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNT!', MICHIGAN. 



57 



Council Bluffs, Iowa, where a new home was assigned 
them. A I'uw escaped fioui tlie soldiers on the way and 
returned to Michigan. Tliey did not dare, however, and 
perhaps did not wish, to seek the vicinity of their former 
home, but went into the northern part of the State, where 
we believe a few of their descendants reside at the present 
day. 

The tribe was preatly dissatisfied with its residence at 
Council Bluffs, partly on account of the scarcity of timber, 
and partly because of the nearness of the ferociou.s Sious, 
who then, as now, roamed over the prairies of Nebraska and 
Dakota, and wlio were the terror alike of frontier whites and 
of the weaker Indian tribes. A few years later they accord- 
ingly consented to exchange their reservation at Council 
Bluffs for a home in the Indian Territory. When the Ter- 
ritory of Kansas was organized in 1854, they sold their 
claim to the government, but reserved a tract of ten miles 
square on the north side of the Kansas River, a short dis- 
tance above Topeka, the present capital of the State, where 
they still reside. It may interest some of those who now 
possess their old homes to know that this once ferocious 
tribe, the terror of a thousand miles of frontier, has learned 
many of the arts of pe;ice, and is reported by the officials 
of the Indian Bureau to be in a more prosperous condition 
than the average Indians located upon reservations. 

The removal of the Pottawattamies wiis the last im- 
portant act affecting Branch County, occurring in the fourth 
decade of this century, and also marked a decided change 
in the condition of the county. Hitherto there had been 
an almost unintermitting struggle between the pioneers and 
the wilderness. Hardship, sickness, and death assailed the 
people at every step, and, notwithstanding the spasmodic 
financial prosperity of two or three feverish years, the whole 
county still displayed at least as much of the appearance of 
a hunting-ground as of a farming region. 

But after 1840 its condition was rapidly changed, and 
though it was several years before even half of the timber 
was felled to the ground, the howl of the wolves ceased to 
echo along the hill-sides at night, yet that year, more nearly 
than any other, marks the line between the pioneer period 
and the period of agricultural development. We therefore 
begin the new era with a new chapter. By the census of 
1840 the population of Branch County was five thousand 
seven hundred and fifteen. 



CHAPTER X. 

FROM 1841 TO 1861. 

The County-Scat Question — Removal to Coldwater — County Com- 
missioners Almli.alicd — Burning of the Jail at liranch — The Long 
Struggle over Building a New Jail — The Krection of a Court- 
Ilouse — Rapid and Enduring Progress — A Last. Looii at the 
Wolves — Census of 1850 — Building the Michigan Southern Rail- 
road — General Prosperity — The Approach of War— lOur Method of 
Writing the Uistory of Branch County in the War. 

In the beginning of the fifth decade probably the prin- 
cipal subject of public discussion particularly pertaining to 
Branch County was the location of the county-seat. The 
principal competitors were Branch and Coldwater, for Mason- 
8 



ville had small hopes except as acompromise location between 
the other two. Branch had the advantage of being in 
possession of the coveted boon, and besides it was the nearest 
to the centre of the county. On the other hand, Coldwater 
was surrounded by much the mo.st thriving settlement. 
The Coldwater Prairie was so easily cultivated that every 
one who could get a piece of it did so, and others, at- 
tracted by the nearness of neighbors, settled in the edges 
of the adjoining forest. Supported by the trade of the 
farming population around, Coldwater grew and flourished, 
while Branch, surrounded by a frowning forest, had only 
its glory as the county-seat to depend upon. 

Moreover, the proprietors of the latter village were so 
sure that the county-seat would be retained there that they 
held lots at a decidedly high price, while those of Cold- 
water, being desirous of drawing the capital thither, put 
their prices down to rea.sonable figures. 

After several years of contest between the partisans of 
the two localities, a law was at length passed by the Legi.s- 
lature authorizing tlie county commissioners to re-locate the 
county-seat. For the year 1842 the commissioners were 
Hiram Shoudler, of Union (chairman) ; Oliver D. Colvin, 
of Kinderhook ; and Hiram Gardner, of Mattison. The 
last-named gentleman had been chosen the previous autumn, 
in place of Wales Adams, of Bronson, and doubtless the 
county-seat question entered prominently into the election. 
Immediately after the assembling of the board in Jan- 
uary, 1842, it decreed the removal of the county-seat to 
Coldwater, and there it has ever since remained. The last 
record of tlie meeting of the board at Branch is dated 
Jan. 3, 1842, while its first session in Coldwater was on the 
lOtli day of Mai-ch in that year. The same year the board 
of county commissioners was abolished, and the supervisor 
system re-established throughout the State ; the first meet- 
ing of the new board being held at Coldwater on the 4th 
of July, 1842. As one of the conditions of removal, a 
number of the principal citizens of Coldwater gave a bond 
for three hundred dollars, to be applied to the erection of a 
court-house and jail at that point. This was not a very 
munificent sum, but it was about as much as the building 
at Branch had cost. For several yeai-s, however, notwith- 
standing numerous efforts in that direction, no county build- 
ing was erected in Coldwater, the courts meeting in tempo- 
rary rooms rented for the purpose. 

Meanwhile the jail at Branch was burned down by a 
pristmer confined in it, and it has been a.sserted in print 
that some of the people of Coldwater contributed to pay 
him for the deed. Until a new one should be built. Branch 
County prisoners were confined in the jail of St. Joseph 
County, and one of the records of the period sliows that 
the sheriff of that county was authorized by the supervi- 
sors of Branch to buy a " cheap coat" for an indigent 
prisoner from the latter county. 

Although Branch County was now rapidly approaching 
a civilized condition, yet the wolves still made wool-growing 
a somewhat risky business, as is shown by the records of 
bounties paid. At the session of the supervisors in Octo- 
ber, 1843, they audited and allowed no less than five claims 
for bounty, — one by Jeremiah Morrill, one by James Owen, 
one by Joseph Cady, and two by C. C. Hayes. 



58 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



At that October session the board passed a resolution 
recommending the electors of the county to raise tour hun- 
dred dollars to erect a jail, besides the tliree huiRlroJ dol- 
lars due from the citizens of Coldwater, and directed the 
clerk to submit the proposition to a vote of the people. 
But there was as much struirfilint; over the question as 
might have sufficed to build a State capitol, and in the 
January following the resolution was rescinded. In lieu of 
it, one was adopted requesting the electors to authorize the 
supervisors to raise sufficieut money to build county build- 
ings by a tax extending over four years. This plan also 
seems to have fallen through, for in January, 1845, we find 
the board again recommending the electors on the subject ; 
this time to raise five hundred dollars in 1845 and five 
hundred in 1846, which, with the three hundred dollars 
due from the citizens of Coldwater, was to be used to build 
a jail. Ballots were ordered to be prepared for " Jail" and 
" No Jail." 

In October, 1845, still another resolution was passed, 
recommending the electors to raise a thousand dollars for a 
jail. The board seemed to be determined, in the words of 
one of John Hay's heroes, " to resoloot till the cows come 
home," and this effort seems to have been .successful, for the 
next spring it was resolved to let the building of the jail to 
the highest bidder. In the succeeding fall the board levied 
a thousand-dollar tax to pay for the jail which had been 
erected during the summer of 1846, and in January, 1847, 
they voted to accept the same. 

The next move was for a court-house. In the spring of 
1847 the people voted that one should be built, but the 
vote was a very close one, — eight hundred and thirty four 
votes being cast in favor of the requisite tax, and seven 
hundred and ninety-four against it. In October, 1847, the 
board resolved that four thousand dollars should be raised 
to build a court-house; fifteen hundred that year, fifteen 
hundred in 1848, and a thousand in 1849. Five hundred 
dollars was also voted to build a poor-house, and the super- 
intendents were authorized to advertise for its erection at a 
sum not exceeding that amount. At this time temporary 
apartments were rented for a court-room and a clerk's office 
at fifty dollars per year, and one for a register's office at 
twenty dollara. The same month it was resolved that a 
court-house should be built for five thousand dollars, and 
the proposal of G. W. Davis to erect it for that sum was 
duly accepted. 

The following year (1848) the present court-house in 
Coldwater was erected. It was accepted by the supervisors 
in the autumn, and in December of that year was first oc- 
cupied for public purposes, that being the end of a seven 
years' struggle over the erection of county buildings. 

Meanwhile the progress of the county was rapid and 
enduring. There was not the extraordinary inflation of 
the prices of real estate seen in 1834, 1835, and 1836, 
but, on the other hand, there was no danger of the panic 
of 1837. New farms were opened in every direction, and 
the area of cultivated land in the old ones was largely 
increased. In some instances frame houses were built upon 
farms, though as a general rule log houses were still in use, 
except in the villages. 

Our friends, the wolves, of whom we have spoken so 



often before, were gradually disappearing before the rifles 
and traps of frontiersmen, inspired by the hope of the eight 
dollars bounty which was then allowed for each scalp. In 
January, 1846, certificates were issued for one .scalp each 
to David Potter, Lawrence Decker, Joseph Harris, Joseph 
Towsley, and James Johnson. In December, 1848, there 
is a record of a certificate issued to Christopher Spaffbrd, 
and in October, 1850, there were issued one to Ezekiel 
Hayes, Jr., and two to James O. Johnson. These were 
the last payments of which we have seen any record. Pos- 
sibly one or two more wolves were killed in the county, but 
it will be substantially safe to assume that after the middle 
of the century Branch County was free from these enemies 
of the sheepfold. 

By the census of 1850 the county had twelve thousand 
four hundred and seventy-two inhabitants, its population 
having more than doubled in ten years. Up to this time 
the county had not known the presence of a railroad. 

The break-down of the great system of State works 
begun in 1837 had been so complete, that people were 
frightened at the idea of building a railroad in Michigan. 
By extraordinary exertion, and at immense cost, the- State 
had succeeded in constructing the Southern road as far as 
Hillsdale in 1843, but was utterly unable to build it any 
farther. Even this, however, was a great boon to the 
people of Branch County, as it was certainly far easier to 
haul their produce in wagons for twenty or even forty miles 
than to prolong the task over nearly a hundred miles of 
execrable road which lay between them and Lake Erie. 

The Southern Railroad having been sold in 1846 to a 
company, of which Edwin C. Litchfield was the head, it 
was hoped that it would be speedily pushed forward through 
Branch County. But the new company could not muster 
the necessary means for several years, and up to the close 
of 1850 no advance had been made except over the four 
miles between Hillsdale and Jonesville. 

But in the beginning of 1851 everything was ready for 
a grand forward movement, which was carried out with 
extraordinary rapidity. Thousands of workmen were em- 
ployed all along the line from Jonesville to Chicago. Early 
in the summer the track was laid down across Branch 
County, and the locomotive went screaming merrily through 
the townships of Quincy, Coldwater, Batavia, Bethel, and 
Bronson. Still the work went forward with ever-increasing 
zeal, unstayed even by the cold of winter, and in March, 
1852, the cars run over the road from Lake Erie to 
Chicago. 

This placed Branch County in close connection with the 
outer world, with the swiftly-growing metropolis at the head 
of Lake Michigan, and with the great markets of the East. 
In about three years more a line was completed from Toledo 
to Buffalo, connecting there with the system of roads which 
afterwards became the New York Central, and forming a 
continuous all-rail line from New York to Chicago, passing 
through Branch County. 

Over this line rolled nearly the whole tide of Western 
emigration, and it could not be but that a large part of it 
would be stayed on the fertile lands of Branch County, 
which were not yet entirely occupied by farmers. The 
vacant lauds, however, were speedily purchased, and those 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



59 



which had been settled during tiio previous twenty 3'ears 
now took on the appearance of tiiorougli cultivation. In a 
majority of cases the log houses of the pioneers were ex- 
clianged for frames, pumps took the place." of the pictur- 
es(|ue, but inconvenient, well-sweeps, which had formerly 
risen in every yard, orchards presented their luscious fruit 
in ani]ile ai)Uii(lance, and sihool-houscs and churches rose 
wherever necessary, to promote the intellectual and spiritual 
welfare of the people. Even tiie nji.schievous imp of fever- 
and-ague became less malignant than before, as the soil was 
subdued by cultivation, and the too-abundant water was 
removed by drainage. 

In fact, the decade from the beginning of 1851 to that 
of 1861 was one of almost unchecked prosperity. The 
population increased from twelve thousand four hundred and 
seventy-two to twenty thousand nine hundred and eighty- 
one (sixty-eight per cent.), and the increase in wealth was 
still greater. As the whole country, East and West, North 
and South, shared in greater or less degree in the same 
good fortune, it was hard to believe that any could be 
found mad or wicked enough to change the scene for one of 
war and dcva.station. Even while, during the fateful winter 
of 1860-61, State after State was seen declaring in favor 
of .secession, and asserting its readiness for war, men still 
hoped against hope that some means of reconciliation would 
be devised. But the rage of the slaveholders at the elec- 
tion of a President who was not a propagandist of slavery, 
could be satiated by nothing but the destruction of the 
Union, and so all lovers of their country were brought face 
to face with the question whether they would ignobly per- 
mit that country to be ruined by traitors, or would defend 
it by force of arms. When the rebel guns sounded the 
fall of Sumter on the 14fh day of April, 1861, the ques- 
tion was speedily decided. 

Of the gallant part taken by the men of Branch County 
in the terrible contest of the next four years, the following 
chapters will speak. In those chapters we give brief 
sketches of the services of all the regiments and batteries 
of which any considerable number went from Branch 
County. To each sketch is appended a list of the officers 
and soldiers from Branch County who served in that partic- 
ular regiment or battery. Where less than thirty were from 
Branch County we can give, as a rule, no history of ser- 
vices, but a list of all the names is furnished in the closing 
chapter of the war record. These lists are taken from the 
published reports of the adjutant-general of the State, cor- 
rected whenever practicable by members of the various or- 
ganizations. The histories of the services of regiments and 
batteries are also based on the adjutant-general's reports, 
but in numerous cases officers and soldiers belonging to 
them have furnished us with circumstances, reminiscences, 
and details which could be obtained from no other source. 



CHAPTER XL 

FIRST INFANTBY.* 

The President's Proclamation — The Governor's Call — Raising the 
First Regiment of Infantry for Three Months — Company C from 
Branch Couuty — Its First Officers — Going to Washington — Entering 
Virginia — The Hattie of Bull Run — Iteorgaiiization for Tiiree 
Years — (Juanling the Baltimore and Washington Railroad — On the 
Peninsula — It^ Battles there — Sent to Pope — Second Bull Run — 
Terrible Loss — Antietam and Fredericksburg — The Campaign of 
1862— Hard Fighting nt Getty.sburg— The Campaign of 1864 — 
Numerous Battles — The Siege of Petersburg — The Final Victory — 
The Return — The Xumhcr Slain or Died. 

TIIE THREE months' REGIMENT. 

The day after the surrender of Fort Sumter, the Pres- 
ident of the United States called upon the loyal States of 
the Union for seventy-five thousand men to suppress the 
rebellious uprising in the South. On the following day 
(April 16, 1861) was published the proclamation of the 
Governor of Michigan, calling for volunteers to fill twenty 
companies, which, with the requisite field and staff officers, 
were to compose two regiments of infantry, though only 
one regiment was required under the President's call. 
Three days after the issuance of the Governor's proclama- 
tion the 1st Regiment was ready for muster, and on the 
1st of May following it was mustered, seven hundred and 
eighty strong, into the .service of the United States for 
three months, by Lieut.-Col. E. Backus, U. S. A., at Fort 
Wayne, Detroit, the regiment being then fully equipped 
with arms, ammunition, and clothing, ready for service, and 
awaiting the orders of the War Department. 

One of the companies of the regiment (C) was composed 
of men of Branch County, its nucleus being a Zouave com- 
pany which had been organized in Coldwater some time 
previous to the opening of the war. This company joined 
the regiment with a .strength of about eighty rank and tile, 
and under command of the following-named officers, ail 
residents of Coldwater : Ebenezer Butterworth, captain ; 
Charles E. Eggleston, first lieutenant ; George H. Eggles- 
ton, second lieutenant. The field-officers of the regiment 
were Orlando B. Wilcox, colonel ; Lorin L. Comstock, 
lieutenant-colonel ; Alonzo F. Bidwell, major. 

Orders for its movement having been received on the 
13th of May, the 1st Regiment of Michigan left Detroit 
on that day, and proceeded to Washington. It was the 
fir-st regiment to reach the National Capital from west of 
the Alleghany Mountains, and was not second in e(|uip- 
ment and soldierly qualities to any regiment which had 
arrived from any other State. Its appearance on Pennsyl- 
vania Avenue was hailed with joyful acclamation, and the 
great President, before whom it marched in review, ad- 
dressed its officers and men in most complimentary terms, 
and through them thanked the State of Michigan for the 
patriotism and alacrity with which she had responded to 
the call for help. 

The 1st was assigned to duty with the command of Col. 
(afterwards Gen.) Heintzelman, and when the movement 
across the Potomac into Yirgiaiu was made, on the 24lh 

* This includes both the throe months' and the three years' org&rii'- 
zations. 



60 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of May, it ]ed the advance of the Uuion troops across 
Long Bridge, driving in the rebel pickets along the river, 
and entering Alexandria by tlie Washington road, simul- 
taneously with the arrival of Ellsworth's Zouave regiment 
by steamer. 

The first and only battle of this regiment was that of 
Bull Run, July 21, 1861, at which time its brave colonel 
was in command of the brigade of which the 1st was a 
part. On that disastrous field it was in the thickest of the 
fight, eagerly pressing forward to engage the enemy, losing 
heavily, but fighting with stubborn heroism, and establish- 
ing that bright reputation for gallantry which Michigan 
troops so uniformly maintained throughout the war. In 
this engagement Capt. Buttorworth (of Company Cj and 
Lieuts. Mauch and Casey were wounded and taken pris- 
oners, and afterwards died of their wounds while in the 
enemy's hands. Col. Wilcox was also wounded and made 
prisoner, and was exchanged after fifteen months' captivity. 
At the expiration of its three months' term of service the 
regiment returned to Michigan, and was mustered out 
Aug. 7, 18G1. 

THE THREE years' REGIMENT. 

After the muster-out and discharge of the three months' 
men the 1st Regiment was reorganized for a three years' 
terra of service. The men for the new regiment were 
principally recruited in the counties of Wayne, Jackson, 
Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe, Hillsdale, and Branch ; this 
county contributing a large part of the members of Com- 
pany E and a few men to other companies. 

The reorganized 1st Infantry left its rendezvous at Ann 
Arbor (excepting two small detachments, which followed 
soon after) on the IGth of September, 1861, and proceeded 
to Washington, D. C. Among the earliest duties to which 
it was assigned was that of guarding the Baltimore and 
Washington Railroad ; and in this it was engaged during 
the winter of 1861-62, with its headquarters and winter 
camp at Annapolis Junction. In the month of March, 
1862, it moved to the Peninsula with the Army of the Po- 
tomac, to join in McClellan's campaign against Richmond. 
During that campaign it took an honorable part in the 
battles of Mechanicsviile, June 26, 1862, Gaines' Mills, 
June 27, and Malvern Hill, July 1. 

At the close of the Peninsular campaign the 1st was 
placed in the army of Gen. Pope, and fought under that 
general at Gainesville, August 29, and at the second Bull 
Run battle, August 30. In the last-named engagement it 
lost its colonel, adjutant, four captains, and more than half 
its members killed or wounded. Rejoining the army of Gen. 
McClellan, it fought during his fall campaign of 1862 at 
Antietam, September 17, and Shepherdstown Ford, Sep- 
tember 20 ; and after the assumption of the command of 
the army by Gen. Burnside it fought under him in the 
teriific battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 13. 

The next spring it took part in the campaign of Chan- 
cellorsville, and after numerous severe marches reached 
Gettysburg on the 2d of July, 1862, in time to engage in 
that memorable encounter. Nearly a third of tlie small 
number which followed its banner were killed or wounded 
on that field. 



During the remainder of the year and the early part of 
1864 the 1st was engaged in the various movements made 
in Virginia by the Army of the Potomac, and in the mean 
time was reorganized as a veteran regiment. Going into 
the great campaign of 1864 on the 1st of May, the regi- 
ment took part in most of the battles and skirmishes of that 
terrible time, including Alsop's Farm, Spottsylvania, North 
Anna, Jericho Mills, and Cold Harbor. In June, 1864, 
when the 4th Infantry went home to be mustered out and 
reorganize, its veterans and the later recruits were assigned 
to the 1st and remained with it until June, 1865. It took 
an active part in the siege of Petersburg, was present at the 
battle of Weldon Railroad, and participated in the desperate 
conflict of Poplar Grove Church, where alone it carried two 
strong fortifications, and a part of an intrenched line. 

The regiment remained engaged in the siege of Peters- 
burg throughout the winter ; taking part in the battle of 
Hatcher's Run in February, and in another conflict at the 
same place in March. It was also engaged in the closing 
battles of the great struggle, including the events at Ap- 
poniatox Court-House, April 9. After Lee's surrender it 
was moved to City Point, and remained there until May 16, 
then went by water to Alexandria, arriving there on the 
iStli, and on the 16th of June went by rail to Louisville, 
Ky., reaching there on the 21st. It was encamped on the 
opposite side of the river, at Jeffersonville, Ind., and was 
mustered out of service on the 9th of July. The command 
arrived at Jackson, Mich., on the 12th of the same month, 
and was there paid and discharged. 

The lo.sses of the 1st during the war were one hundred 
and forty-six men and fifteen commi.«sioned olBcers killed 
in battle or died of wounds, and ninety-six men and one 
oihcer died of disease. 



MEMBERS or THE FIliST INFANTRY (THREE MONTHS) FROM 
URANCH COUNTV. 

Company C. 

Ebonezor Bnlterworth, capt; enl. May 1, 1861; captured at battle of Bull 

Run, Va., July 1!1, 18C1 ; died in rebel biiapital, of wounds, Aug. 17, 18GI. 
Cliarles E. Eggleston. l8t lieut. ; enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 
George II. Eggleston, 2d lieut.; enl. May 1, 1851 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Charles B. Lincoln, 1st sergt. ; enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 
Sauiuel N. Andrews, •2d sergt. ; enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
George Rhodes, M sergt.; enl. May 1,1861; captured at batllo of Bull Run, 

Vii., July 21, 1861 ; confined in Libby prison ; must, out Blay 20, 1802. 
Charles I'. Whitcomb, 4tli sergt. ; enl. May 1, 1861 ; captured at battle of Bull 

Run, Va., July 21, 1801; confined in Libby prison; must, out May 2il, 

1862. 
Joseph H. Crup, 1st Corp.; enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Ang. 7, 1801. 
Curlis S- Mills, 2d Corp.; enl. May 1, 1861; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 
Albert R. Potter, ;id Corp.; enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
S.vlvester B. Wright, 4th Corp. ; enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Nelson Abbott, nnisician ; enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 
Silas L. Paj ker, musician; eLil. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 



Henry C. Adams, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 
Benjamin F. Archer, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out .\ug. 7, 1801. 
George W. Abbott, enl. May 1, 1801; must, out Aug. 7, ISOl. 
Albert C. Allen, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 
Henry Abbott, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Lorenzo F. Brown, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
William L. Bin ritt, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Henry liutler, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 
Peler Budawa, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug 7, 1861. 
Martin Burleson, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Charles Bickford, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 
Aaron B.igley, enl. May 1. 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801. 
James Bennett, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
William H. Bryon, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



61 



Jonas P. Brown, enl. Mn.v 1, IfCl ; musl. out Ang. 7, 1801. 

Chas. nrinkerhoof, inl. Miiy 1, 18CI ; wonndod at Bnll liun, Va., Jnly 21,1801. 

Chauncey S. Blivin, Ptil. Sla.v 1, 18G1 ; nmst. ont Auk. 7, 18G1. 

Thomas Blivin, i-nl. Miiy 1, IBCl; must, .ml Aug. 7, 18CI. 

Daniel B. Campbell, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Ang. 7, 1801. 

Ilaniillon Cullicr, cnl. May 1, 1801; niu-t. onl Aug. 7, 1801. 

Edward Catlin, enl. Jlay I, l.sr.l ; mu»l. ont Aug. 7, 18C1. 

Kdward ('rafl, enl. May 1, 1801 ; rau«l. out Aug. 7, 1801. 

Lester I!. Callalian, cnl. May 1, 1801 ; ninst. nut Aug. 7, 1801. 

George Conger, enl. Miiy 1, 1801 ; niu?tt. out Aug. 7, 1861. 

Georgo I). Urury, enl. May l.lSCl; taken prisoner at baltleof Hull itun.Va., 

anil confined in Libby prison ; must, out May 20, 1802. 
Martin l>anini,eril. May 1, 1801; must, out Ang. 7, 1861. 
Gilbert Ueclute, cnl. May 1, 1861 ; musl. ont Aug. 7, 1861. 
Larayotle Fincli, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Ang. 7, 1801. 
Smilh W. Fisk, enl. May 1, 1601 ; must. out. Ang. 7, 1861. 
Pavid Ko.\, enl. May 1, 1801 ; musl. out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Isaiiih Fox, enl. fliay I, 18(U ; must, out Ang. 7, 1801. 
Irving S. Graham, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, ont .\ng. 7, 1861. 
Edward (iavilt, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Ang. 7, 1801. 
Charles Holmes, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Daniel M. Holmes, enl. May 1,1801; must, ont Aug. 7, 1801. 
■William Hcuae, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1801, 
Leander C. Handy, enl. May I, 1801 ; musl. out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Solomon Ilolben, enl. May, 1, 1801 ; must, ont Ang. 7, 1801. 
Charles C. Harvey, enl. May 1,1801; taken prisoner at baltleof Bull Run, Va. 

July 21, ISOl ; confined in Libby prison ; must, out May 20, 1802. 
James D. C. Harvey, enl. May 1, 1801 ; rnnsl. out Aug. 7, 1861, 
Smith 11. Ilasiings, eul. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Ang. 7, 1801. 
Edward Hewitt, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Benj. .(. Knappcn, enl. Slay 1, 1801 ; must, ont Aug. 7, 1801. 
Edward Knappen, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Edward B. Kirby, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, onl Aug. 7, 1861. 
EdwanI Lewis, enl. Jlay 1, 1861 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Franklin Minzey, onl. May 1, 1861 ; mn<it. out Ang. 7, 1861. 
John S.Mossnuin, enl. May I, 1801 ; must, out .\ng. 7, 1801. 
Scpiire \V. Mellcncly, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must. Ang. 7, ISOl. 
Wilson Meddangh, enl. May 1, 1861 ; must. Ang. 7, 1861, 
Joseph McKinne, enl. May 1, 1861; must, out Ang, 7, 1861. 
John Olmstead, cnl. May 1, 1861 ; must, out Ang, 7, 1861. 
Philo V. Pcckham, ml. May 1, 1801 ; Diust. out Ang. 7, 1801. 
Honice L. Perkins, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Franklin liobert», enl. Jlay 1, 1801 ; must, ont .\ug, 7, 1801, 
Calvin D, Strong, enl. May 1, 1801 ; iinist, ont Ang, 7, 1861. 
John U. Sluails, enl. May 1, 1801 ; taken prisoner at battle of Bull Ruu, July 

21, Isol ; ronfineil in Libby prison ; niu>.t. out May 20, 1802. 
John Sullivan, enl. May I, 1801 ; must, out Aug, 7, 1801. 
Cady Smith, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Squire S. Skecls, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out .\ug. 7, ISGl. 
Baxter Strong, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, ont Aug. 7, 1861. 
KosB A. Warner, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug. 7, 1861. 
Kobcit Willams, enl. May 1, 1801 ; must, out Aug, 7, 1861. 
George Wright, enl, 5Iay 1, 1861 ; must, out Ang, 7, 1861, 
Palstou Walker, enl. May 1, 1801 ; taken prisoner at battle of Bnll Run, Va,, 
July 21, 1861 ; confliied in Libby prison ; must, out May 2l), 1862. 

MEMBERS OF THE FIRST INFANTRY (THREE YEARS) FROM BRANCH 
COUNTY. 

Abram S. Kirkland, 2d lieut. ; enl. May 3ll, 1863 ; 1st licut. (as sergt.), July 15, 

180:i ; must, ont with legiment, July 9, 1865. 
George H, Eggleston, 1st licut.; cnl, Ang, 17, 1801 ; res, March 28, 180:i. 
Alexander Black, Co, E; disch. at Washinglon, D. C, Jan, 23, 1863. 
William H, Iternhain, Co, E; accidentally killed, Oct, 18, 1662, 
Henry C, Babcock, Co, E, 

William F, Bm.ldock, Co, E; must, ont July 0, 1805, 
Robert W, Baker, Co. C; disch, 

John N, Bunker, Co, E; died of disease, Washington, D. C, July 13, 186.1. 
Joseph D. Benncll, Co. E; disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 17, 1804. 
James Corey, Co. K; died of disease at Annapolis, Md., March 7, 1862. 
Edward Curtis, Co. E ; must, out July 9, 1805. 
Daniel Cook, Co, E ; disch, at Fort Schuyler, Jan. 23, 1863. 
John Clarke, Co. K; disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 10, 1804. 
Ira S. Chappell, Co. E; disch. to re.eiil. as veteran, Dec. 2."^, 1803 ; must, out July 

9, 186i. 
James 0. Depue, Co. E; died in action at Bull Run, Va., Aug. 30, 1802. 
Theodore Davis, Co. E; discli. at expiration of service, Sept. 9, 1864. 
Crayton D. Eldred, Co. F,; disch. 

Jarod Evans, Co, E : died of disease in Washington, D. C, May 3, 1864. 
Beech N. Fisk, Co. E ; disch. at expiration of service, Sejit. 16, 1864. 
David Fox, Co. E; disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 30, 1864; was in battles 

of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, anti Cliancelloravillo. 
George Ilillman, Co. E ; died in action at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1802. 
Francis E, Hadley, Co, E; discli, by order, Dec, 15,1802. 
Amos Hunt, Co. C ; disch. for disability, April 111, 186:1. 
Abniiii S. Kirkland, Co. E ; disch. to rc-enl. as veteran, Feb. 17, 1804 ; must. out 

July 9, 1865. 
James Lauver, Co. E ; disch. May I, I8C2. 



Simeon P. Miles, Co. C; died in action at Bull Run, Va., AHf.SO, 1802. 

James M. Vane, Co. E : died of disease in Uichniond, Jaii. 15, 18(t4. 

Williani J. Moody, Co. K; musl. out July 9, 1805. 

Martin J. Miney, Co. E; disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 17, 1864. 

Oscar Nash, Co. A ; disch. to re-enl. as vetenin, Feb. 17, 1864. 

Ludovic Nye, Co. E ; disch. Sept. 8, 1802. 

George F. Niveraon, Co. E ; disch. at Potomac Creek, Jan. 3, 186;l. 

Theodore E. Oliver, Co. C ; disch. Nov. 17, 1862. 

Henry C. Odell, Co. D: disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 2.1, ISttl. 

Byron Potter, Co. E; killed in action at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862. 

Ansel J. Potter, Co. E; died of disease, Washington, D. C, Aug. 20, 1803. 
James E. Perry, Co. E; disch. 

David ('. Reynohls, Co. E ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 9, 1804. 

llazleton .Saunders, Co. K ; disch. Jan 21, 1862. 

Hiram Sweet, Co. E; died in action at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863. 

James C. Smith, Co. E ; discli. for disability, Feb. 9, 1863. 

Georgo II. Skinner, Co. E; disch Jan. 3,1863. 

Nehemiah Spencer, Co. E; disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Dec. 25, 1863. 

C. A. Tompkins, Co. E; disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 30, 1864. 

Geo ■go F. TrnmbnII, O. E; disch. Nov. 17, 1802. 

Bnrnct A. Tucker, Co. E; died of wounds in Washinglon, D. C, Sept. 10,1802. 

Horace M. WithiuBton, Co. E; died in action at Bull Run, Ang. ISO, 1662. 

Emmet K. Wood, Co. E; died in action at Bull Hun, Aug. 30, 1862. 

Eugene Wilson, Co. E : disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 9, 1864. 

Jefferson Woods, Co. E ; disch. to re-enl. us veteran, Dec. 2,"), 180:!; must, out 
July 9, 1805. 

Willard Whitney, Co. E; disch. to re-enl. as veteran, Feb. 17, 1804; must, out 
July 9, 1865. 

Williani Whalen, Co. E; disch. to reenl. as veteran, Feb. 17, 1804. 

Levi Webb, Co. B ; died of disease at Burr Oak, Mich., Feb. 7, 1865. 

Homy E. Whitney, Co. E ; died of disease at Washington, D. C, Jan. 2, 1863. 

Leonard Wliitmoyer, Co. B : mu^t. out July 9, 1865. 

David Williams, Co. C; discharged for disability, Kov. 1, 1802. 



CHAPTER XIT. 

SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

Branch County in the Seventh — Ball's Bluff— West Point nnd Fair 
Oaks — Thc,''cven Days' Fight— The Battleol'Anlietam — Fredei ieks- 
burg — Crossing the Rappahannock under Fire — The Charge up tho 
Heights — The Great March to Gettysburg — Severe Conflict there — 
Spottsylvania — Cold Harbor— Fighting Before Petersburg — Storm- 
ing the Enemy's Works — Final Victory — Muster-Out — List of 
Officers and Soldiers. 

The 7th Michigan Infantry was formed at Monroe during 
the summer of 1861. Tho number of Branch County men 
who served in its ranks during the war was a few more than 
fifty, viz., about forty in K company, ten in I company, 
and one or two each in B, C, and D. 

The regiment left Monroe for Virginia on the 5th of 
December, 1861. Arriving there, it was stationed on the 
upper Potomac. It was one of the regiments detailed to 
go to Ball's Bluff on the 21st of October, under Gen. Baker, 
and shared the losses inflicted by the sudden and over- 
whelming attack of the enemy on that disastrous day. 

In the spring of 1862 the 7th went with tiie Army of 
the Potomac to the Peninsula, wliere it was engaged in the 
siege of Yorktown, and afterwards in the affair at West 
Point, on the 7th of May. It also took an active part in 
the battle of Fair Oaks, on the 31st of May and 1st of 
June. When the Confederate force was ma-ssed to attack 
the Union right, the 7th was with the columns which were 
steadily forced through the disastrous " Seven Days' Fight," 
taking part in the actions at Peach Orchard Creek on the 
29tli of June, at Savage 'Station on the same day, at White 
Oak Swamp on the 30th of June, at Glendale on the same 
day, and finally, on the 1st of July, at Malvern Hill, when 
victory at length perched on the Union standard, and the 
rebel hordes were repulsed with terrific loss. 

The 7th went northward with the Army of the Potomac, 



63 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and was present at the second battle of Bull Run. It then 
crossed the Potomac with McClellan, took part in the battle 
of South Mountain, and on the 17th of September, 1862, 
stood face to face with the enemy on the field of Antietam. 
Here it was engaged in one of the hottest struggles of the 
war, and bravely maintained itself throughout, though tiie 
victory which it achieved was purchased at the cost of a 
list of killed and wounded embracing more than half the 
men present in the action. 

After Antietam the 7th continued with the Army of the 
Potomac, in its marches through Northern Virginia, until the 
11th of December, 18(32, when that army stood on the north 
side of the Rappahannock, gazing across at the enemy's 
works at Fredericksburg. 

During the night of the lOth the Union engineers had 
laid a pontoon-bridge partly across the stream, but at day- 
light the rebel sharpshooters soon drove them away. Volun- 
teers were called for to cross the river, and seize a foothold 
on the opposite shore. Lieut.-Col. Baxter, then in com- 
mand, called on the 7th for that duty, and as one man they 
responded to the call. Foremost of all the army they sprang 
into the boats and set out for the opposite shore. The rebel 
bullets fell thick and fast among them, and many were slain 
or wounded, among the latter being their gallant commander, 
but still they held on their way, and at length made good 
their landing. Close behind them came a Massachusetts 
regiment. The two formed on the bank, dashed up the 
heights above, drove the enemy i'rom his intrenchments, 
and captured several hundred prisoners at the point of the 
bayonet. The pontoons were then laid across the river, and 
a portion of the army crossed in safety. The subsequent 
disasters which befell the forces of Gen. Burnside in that 
action cannot dim the glory of this brilliant exploit of the 
7th Michigan Inlantry. 

The regiment acted as provost-guard at Falmouth until 
the 3d of May, 1863, when it again crossed the Rappahan- 
nock to take part in the battle of Chancellorsville. It was 
not closely engaged, but the enemy's artillery fire wounded 
ten of the men. 

During the Gettysburg campaign the 7th underwent 
even more than the usual hardships of that torrid and 
dusty period. On the 27th of June, it marched thirty- 
seven miles ; on the 28th, sis miles ; and on the 29th, 
thirty-two miles ; making seventy-five miles in three days ; 
a remarkable exploit when it is considered that every 
soldier carried a rifle, bayonet, cartridge-box, belts, blanket, 
haversack, and canteen, and that the marching in column 
in a cloud of dust is twice as fatiguing as walking by a 
single individual. 

On the 2d of July the 7th arrived at Gettysburg, and 
was immediately placed in the front of battle on Cemetery 
Hill. In this exposed position it remained until the close 
of the action on the 3d of July, meeting and repelling 
some of the fiercest attacks of the enemy. So much had 
the regiment been depleted by its previous conflicts, that 
only fourteen ofiBcers and one hundred and fifty-one men 
went into this fight. Of this small number twenty-one were 
killed (including the commander, Lieut.-Col. Steele) and 
forty-four wounded ; the total of casualties being nearly 
half of the whole number euiia^ed. 



After taking part in the pursuit of the enemy, the 7th 
went to New York a short time during the enforcement 
of the draft, and then returned to the Army of the Poto- 
mac. On the 7th of December, after considerable march- 
ing and skirmishing in Northern Virginia, it went into 
winter quarters at Barry's Hill. Here, notwithstanding 
all its hardships and losses, one hundred and fifty-three men 
re-enlisted as veterans, and the regiment was sent home to 
Monroe the 1st of January to recruit. After a thirty- 
days' furlough, it returned to Barry's Hill, where it re- 
mained until the grand advance of the army on the 3d of 
May. 

It was lightly engaged in the Wilderness on the 5th of 
May, but on the succeeding day it had a severe conflict 
with the enemy, having eight men killed, thirty-eight 
wounded, and eight missing. On the 10th, it was at 
Spottsylvania Court-House, where it was subjected to a 
severe fire from the rebel sharpshooters, and also made an 
assault on the enemy's works. The total of casualties 
during the day was five killed and twelve wounded. The 
next day it was again slightly engaged, and on the 12th 
it took part in Hancock's charge on the left of the enemy's 
line, eleven of the men being wounded. The next day 
there was another fight, where the 7th had three men 
killed and ten wounded. 

Continuing with the Army of the Potomac the flank 
movements to the left, which constantly brought it nearer 
to Richmond, the 7th passed the North Anna and Pamunkey 
Rivers, being frequently engaged ;is skirmishers, and on the 
30th and 31st of May and 1st of June it lost six killed 
and had nine wounded. At Cold Harbor it gallantly 
charged the enemy's works, but the long lines of intrench- 
ments, behind which the rebel marksmen leveled their 
deadly rifles in almost perfect security, proved impervious 
to the thinned ranks of the 7th and their comrades, and 
the regiment fell back with a loss of sixteen killed and 
wounded. 

The 7th reached the lines in front of Petersburg on the 
15th of June, and at once entered on the tedious picket and 
trench duty, fighting nearly every day, and having twenty- 
three killed and wounded during the fii'st ten days. In the 
battles of Strawberry Plains and Flussier's Mills (August 14 
and 17) it had three men killed and eleven wounded. It 
was also engaged in the battle of Reams' Station on the 25th 
of August. 

On the 26th of October the 7th was one of the regi- 
ments which advanced on the enemy's right, and the next 
day it took part in no less tiian three battles, — those of 
Hatchers' Run, Burgess' Tavern, and Boydton Plank-Road. 
In this movement the 7th, alone, captured four hundred and 
eighty men and twenty officers of the 26th North Carolina 
rebel infantry. 

From the beginning of the campaign to the 1st of No- 
vember, the feeble regiment in these constant battles and 
skirmishes had had forty-one men killed and one hundred 
and thirty-one wounded, besides thirty-six captured by the 
enemy, and thirty reported as " missing in action," some of 
whom were killed and some captured. And still, the Her- 
culean task of destroying the rebel army was uncompleted. 

The regiment remained in front of Petersburg during the 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNiy, MICHIGAN. 



63 



winter, sliarina; all the daiif;ers and liardsliips of the army, 
but not .sufferinjr as severely in killed and wounded as dur- 
ing the previous six months. On the 2d of April, the 7th, 
with detachments of the 1st Minne.sota and IDtli Massa- 
chusetts, were ordered to attack the enemy's works at Cat 
Tail Creek. They advanced st<>adily to tlieir task, and 
notwith.standing the fire from the rebels, safely en.seoneed 
behind tlieir intrcnchments, the 7th dashed boldly forward, 
reaching the enemy's lines (the first of the Union forces), 
and driving out the gray-back defenders at the point of the 
bayonet. The assaulting brigade quickly captured two forts 
and three cannons ; then, turning in flank, it swept along 
the rebels' works, capturing five other forts, and about five 
hundred prisoners. 

The regiment was less fortunate on the 7th of April, 
when, after capturing many prisoners, it was cut off from 
the main army by a largo force of rebel infantry and cavalry ; 
and, in attempting to fight its way through, bad three 
ofijcers and thirtj'-four men taken prisoners. In the after- 
noon it was relieved and joined its brigade. Two days 
later Lee's army surrendered, and the most serious trials of 
the 7th Michigan were ended. 

It was sent to Louisville, Ky., and JefFersonville, Ind., 
in June, very much to the disgust of the men ; but was 
mustered out at JeflTensonville on the 5th of July, 1805, 
sent immediately to Jackson, Mich., and paid ofl' and dis- 
banded on the 7th of that month. 

MEMBEKS OF THE SEVEKTII INFANTRY FROM BRANCH COtJNTY. 

Jeremiah Buys, Co. K; died of disease at Alexandria, Va., Dec. 15, 1802. 

Hczekiuh Bruoks, Co. K; must, out July 5, 1865. 

W'illiiitn H. Burns, Co. K; died of wounds at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 18G2. 

David BluncharJ, Co. K ; discli. for disability, June lU, 18G5. 

Albert A. Blaneliard, Co. K; must, out July 5, 1805. 

Horace Calhoun, Co. I ; died of wounds at White Oak Swamp, June 30, 1802. 

Chauncey G. Cole, Co. I; must, out July 5, 1S05. 

Nelson W. Clark, Co. K ; disch. by order, July '21, 18G5. 

Daniel Clouse, Co. K; must, out July 5, 180.5. 

Alonzo Converse, Co. K ; must, out July 5, 1865. 

MadisOD J. Eggleatou, Co. K ; must, out July 5, 1805. 

Lewis Fry, Co. K ; disch. by order, June 24, 1805. 

Samuel Fry, Co. I ; disch. by order, July 31, 1805. 

John B. Ford, Co. K ; nussing in action, .\ug. 25, 1864. 

Fred 11. Gould, Co. I ; died of disease near Yorktown, Va., May 1.1, 18C2. 

Alonzo Glass, Co. I; died of wounds at South Anna River, Va., June 1, 18G4. 

John Green, Co. K ; must, out July 5, 1865. 

Charles R. Green, Co. K; disch. to re-enl. as vet., Dec. 18, 1803. 

Oliver Green, Co. K ; missing in action, June 2, 181)4. 

Lorenzo Gates, Co. K ; died of wounds, Sept. 25, 18C2. 

Lorenzo C. llurd, Co. K ; disch. for disability, Nov. 24, 18G2. 

Edwin E. Howard, Co. C; disch. for disability, Nov. 1, 1801. 

Oniaa Hopkins, Jr., Co. K ; disch. May, 1803. 

James Hopkins, Co. I ; missing at Cold Harbor, Va., June 9, 1804. 

Natlianii 1 Ilopkijis, Co. K ; transferred to Vet. Res. Cciri«, April 10, 1864. 

Daniel llolbrook, Co. K ; mis.siug at Hatcher's Run, Va., Oct. 28, 1804. 

William J. Leary, Co. I; died of wounds at Fair Oaks, Vu., May 31, 1862. 

William Latia, Co. K; died of disease at Washington, Nov. 8, 1802. 

David S. Middangh, Co. K : disch. Dec. 25, 1801. 

John Monroe, Co. K ; died at Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 5, 1864. 

Mahli'ii Meyer, Co. I ; died of disease in summer 1802. 

Tliomaa Miler, C«). K ; missing at Hatcher's Run, Oct. -^S, 1864. 

Darius Monroe, Co. K; disch. by order. May 31. 180.5. 

Truman E. aiiwon, Co. K ; disch. to enl. in U. S. Cav., Oct. 21, 1862. 

■Walter Nichols, Co. K ; disch. to re-enl. as vet.. Doc. 18, 1803. 

James Pepper, Jr., Co. K ; must, out July 5, 1865. 

George Pedler, Co. K ; must, out July 5, 1865. 

Joseph Pullman, Co. K ; disch. by order, Jan. 13, 1865. 

William Queer, Co. K ; nnist. out July .5, 18G5. 

Hiram Refner, Co. B; must, out July 5, 1865. 

Henry Rogers, Co. K ; died of disease at Windmill point, Va., Jan. 7, 186:1. 

Clark Reynolds, Co. C; died in acti.in at Antietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862. 

Justin Shaply, Co. K; died Jan. 2'.t, 1862. 

Andrew J. Silliway, Co. I ; ilied of disease at Washington, D. C, July 1, 1804. 

Edberl Schenierhorn, Co. K ; disch. May 25, 1865. 

James Sheffield, Cu. K ; must, out July 5, 1865. 



Thomas Silliway, C«>. K ; must, out July 5, 180.5. 

Levi U. Tntlle, Co. K ; disch. at expinilion of service, Aug. 22, 1864. 

John Ta'.:g(»tt, Co. K ; must, out July 5, 1865. 

William U. Vulade, Co. D; missing at Hatcher's Run, Va., Oct. 28, 1864. 

Zachary Wells, Co. I ; must, out July .5, 1805. 

Slacey F. Wcathcrby, Co. K ; d sch. by order, July 21, 1805. 



CHAPTER XIIL 

NINTH INFANTRY. 

Field and Staff of the Ninth — Company O from Branch County — Its 
First Officers — The Regiment goes to Kentucky — And to Tennessee 
with Mitchell, in his Advance — .Si.x Companies at Murfrcesboro' 
Attacked by Forrest in Force — Long and Hard Fighting — Oallantry 
of the Xinth— Final Surrender to Overwhelming Numbers — Subse- 
quent Parole and Exchange — Services of those not Captured — The 
Ninth as Provost-Guard — Complimented by (Jen. Thomas — Re-en- 
listment of Veterans — In the Atlanta Campaign — Full Ranks again 
— Subsequent Services — List of Members. 

The 9th Infantry Regiment, of Michigan, was raised 
during the latter part of the summer, and in the early 
autumn of the year 18G1. Its rendezvous was at Fort 
Wayne, Detroit, where its organization was perfected, under 
the following oflicers : William W. Duffield, colonel ; John 
G. Parkhurst, of Coldwatcr, lieutenant-colonel ; Dorus M. 
Fox, major; Ennis Church, surgeon; Cyrus Smith, assist- 
ant surgeon ; James G. Portman, chaplain ; Henry M. 
Duffield, adjutant ; Charles H. Irwin, quartermaster. 

The 9th was composed mainly of men from counties 
lying on and to the north of the line of the Michigan Cen- 
tral Railroad ; but contained one company * raised in Cold- 
water and other parts of Branch County. This was desig- 
nated as G company, and its first officers were George N. 
Chase, captain ; Mortimer Mansfield (of Coldwater), first 
lieutenant ; William A. Hull (of Coldwater), second lieu- 
tenant. 

The regiment having been armed with weapons of an 
inferior class, was mustered into the United States service 
for three years, by Capt. H. R. Mizner, U. S. A., at the 
rendezvous, Oct. 23 and 25, 1861, and on the last-named 
day left. Detroit for the seat of war in the Southwest, being 
the first regiment from Michigan which entered the field in 
the Western departments. It reached Jeffi;rsonville, Ind., 
on the 27th, and on the following day was moved by 
steamboat to Suit River, Ky. It was soon after engaged 
iu the construction of a defensive work on Muldraugh's 
Hill, and made its winter quarters in that vicinity. During 
their stay at that place the men of the 9th were terribly 
afflicted with measles and other disorders, as many as four 
hundred having been on the sick list at one time. 

Immediately after the fall of Fort Donelson, the regi- 
ment was moved by transports from Salt River to Nash- 
ville, Tenn., where it remained for some weeks ; then moved 
to Murfreesboro', and was post«d there from April to July, 
as one of the chain of detachments which were placed to 
guard the rear and communications of Gen. O. M. Mitchell, 
in his advance on Huntsville, Ala. During that time it 
formed part of the force with which Gen. Negley made a 

* Other companies of the regiment were afterwards recruited to a 
considerable extent from this county. 



64 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUXTT. MICHIGAN'. 



dewot^niion asaiu^ CIuttauKX^. caching the iK^rth tank 
of iIk' Tennessee River, («ppc«site the town. After that 
exptxiitkxi it was again snuivvted at Murft«e^iiv>' and 
winitv, and oa the loth of Julj the six cv^nipanictf Thich 
v^iv at that pfane v.tlt« other four, uudi^r cvatmand of Ma^. 
Fclx, hei«^ at Talkhotta^ wk attained bj a bodj of the 
eneair's caradrr, thK<e tho«t$*nd fire hundred sovito:. tinder 
Gen. X. R Fornjst. Of this battaiion rf the 9th at Mnr- 
fir>e<e^vn>". one ivmpanT »-»s qitartated in the vvmrt-hoose, 
and five cv-tiupaaieis ^inclttdSi^ the eoupany fton Branch 
CVwntv' w«e eamped in a Kadr in the aoitheasteni out- 
skirts v>f the Tillu^ — all tuder cooiiiiaBd of Lieut,-C<J. 
Fiukhurst. CV>1. Pttffi«)d vas present bat i>ot on datj : he 
haviiK: amv«d in the eveaii^ of the llih. in ccwpsBT 
with OJen. Critteoden. on ba^aes coanected with the ft*- 
auiiott of a new bt^^vie. rf which Ol>1. I>aS<4d was to 
haw the ecMHatand. The 3d MinoesiiHa Infantry Regiiaeat 
w*s etMunped on the bank rf Stooe River, kiss than 
two (ttik^ to the Bonhw«s« of the K>wa. and with it was 
Hewetis ^Ist Keatoekv > Batterr. 

Fotwst's attaek on the eaup of Iie«t.-C^. P^ukharst's 
Inttalkia w;^ autde at Rxir o'doek in the Hwnui^ of S . 
d»T the 13th of Julv. He had evideathr expected shi: :; 
wwaM he a svtprtse, bat sach <£d not piwe to be the ease, 
^v CV4. F^ukhoist had sosfwcted. or had bj soae «eiuts 
been waitted of. tbar apfvmdi. a«d stood pK^aied (o give 
thaa a v«(t waiaa reeeptioa. Tlie lesah was that the first 
Mtack wss saceisslitltT repeOed, with coBsidenhle k^ to 
dM' eaeaiv.who thea wkhdr^w.aad proceeded to attack the 
eooipaBT ocvvopvii^ the eiL>an-hottse. TpM the with- 
diawal of the eaewj frow hb fioats Ooil- Paikhotst at oaee 
&{nlehed a w^se^or to idhe eii4iM«) of the od Mianesota. 
at Sums Bivor, infbnui^ Um of the skwatica, and askii^ 
hiM to c«we to his ^Butkhoist s> ambiance. With this re- 
^tKSt the o&eer i« qweetioa, £)r what dodiitk^ seeded to 
hiat «ood iwsoKv d««fiwd to coMplv. It w«s believed 
that he M^ht hav« dMe so with good pf\^«ets of s«cc^ 
he havii^a cowpwratiTeh- kige Jbive, UKlodi^ aa efieieM 
ktttety. C^nainhr anv atteapt of Csl P^ukhotst — ^with 
his Bttle fi.wce of l^ thaa thie« h«»di«d Meo. a»d »o 
anilksT — to eftet a j«MtK<« with the MiaaeaviaK, )■ dte 
&ee of s»fh » OT«rwhelNdi^ hod v of the eaeoiT, w«a]d 
have bee* alaMSt fooUnidr. 

At the coait-ho«£« the attaicki^ F*>^J "^t a wcr vara 
leceptim fiow the defeadii^ gan^xo, who held thea at 
bttv fcr two kM^ hons;, aad (whr soneadeied when &^ 
fca»i s*^ a c<oar» iaemaUe. IwHedbteiv aAer their 
e^wtie thej were ssh h> the tear, ia the £reetioa of 
MeMiuviik. withowt aa hoar's d«laT. for the t^el co»- 
mwder hefietvd that hfe wvik «e^ m a»T woHeat be io- 
teR^«ed hj Fmw leiofiineMeMs &om either ««■ aO of d« 
serenl detach>»ess posted at ffaeM poats i« the vieis- 
itr; a v«rT utonl sa^p^eatiM, a»l o«e which «%ht vvsr 
ee9v l(av« bee* Toified. 

Fc«MB the siese «f d^ ce«it^o«e the e»e«T tetoned 
to the attk^ of CbL Pukhwist s po^tiiw. which, Ani^ 
the brief oa^atioa of heetSnes had hee« stiei^chewd hj 
soch s&:ht defe^es as ^e mm had bee* able to eoKttwcc 
iathes!: lad with die iKoficMM aeaK sad a»- 
sbumL S^tasthqrw<eietkeTal«cded 1 



' scwie shelter u> the defeodins Rtree, who ihoagfa outnaia- 
beievl uK^te than ten to one bj their asailant& fought with 
the most deteraiioed and persistent bmverr till fttst booo. 
when, as it kvaue evident that thev need look no k>sg» 

( for soccor. and that further resistance w*s it^^kss, their 
leader submitted to the inevitable, and sarreodeied. Dar- 
ing the e^t boats thiougfa which thev had stood at 

j haj th«r k«s had been thirteen killed and ^:htj-^ven 
woaitded. The eoemv admitted that his own loss in killed 
alone had been thirtj-five, and there is little doabi that it 
w*5 much bevood this &?ire. Amoog the captoi^d officers 
were all thitse of the ne^iment beloi^i^ in Branch CoaotT, 
vix.. Lieat.-OoL Parkhoist. C»pt. MansfieM. and Lieat, 
HolL The fiist and last mentiooed were narched awav br 
the victorioas r^itels. Cart- Maiefi^ bai^ oitable to eo- 
duiv the Bkircfa was left behind, paroled, as wae ako OoL 
DoffieM. who had beea badly woanded daring the %ht. 
His coupaaioB in his anfotttuiate visit to the fv«si — Geo. 
CritteadeB — had aiso been captated at the hotel in the vil- 
liee. and was takes awav with the other prtsoners^ to whose 
naml^rs w^ ako added the Miaaisota Regiment before 
sientiooed. and the atea and officeis of Hewett's Batt»T. 

At McMiaaviUs, Fon^t paroled the enlisted men whoat 
he had capcoted, and thej letoraed to N^tville. wheaee 
ther were seat to Cuap Cttase^ He- however, retained the 
og e cr s aadtook thet to KaosviUe. Ftohi there thej woe 
seat to AtfaoKa. dtea to Madfeoa, Ga.. whoe thej Trmiin d 
for a coisderkUe tiae. then to Cohoabb. & C-, to Safis- 
boiT, X. C and fiaallT h> Libby p(^>a, at RichoMMd, 
wheie they were eveanully paroled. CoL Farkhaist wis 
exdiai^Kd ia Decemliea', 1$(»2. la dte Mean ti»e ^ por- 
tioa of the legiaKat whidi had escaped captaie at Xar- 
fireesiMo' had beea ei^aiged a^iet the eaeoiy at Tjiee 
SptiKiS^ Te*B« aad at MamfotdsviUe- Kt„ aboot the time 
of Gea. Bvell $ adraace fiom LooisviBe to ^nrrffle aad 
B.^wliag Gteea. 

Oa Che ±4th of I)^eci»ber! ISidS. Lkat.-CoL Fukharst, 
dteaiacoMMaadofthedth ^CaL DaSeM was pf.fiiii.atly 
c&ahled by the woaadb recetved at Jfarfie^MHo'', aad re- 
sc^aed l^ thaa two taoaths after that time\ leponed for 
da;T at the headqsuteis ef Gea. Thoans. aear Xa^vSle, 
aad vie ass^aed to daty as ptovost-taai^al : hk rf^imeat 
vreorgaraed aad with ruds rsilled by the ejcehai^ed pris- 
caers^ heii^ detailed s provxjst-gaaid of the 14th CVwis. 
TSe 1 mill was made by Gea. TVean& oa the fa-wiaw of 
the Older a^%w^ it to that daty. that he had foAy ae- 
q«Mated IdiKetf with the hbKsiy of the {art takea by ^ 
i>Miaaeat ia their deieKe of the pst of M ariie^boio' 
KSatKt Fon^t, aad Aat JKt s»A a re g i m e at was what he 
aeeded at his headqfaarters. 

1W dny to wUeh the 9^ wis thas Ks^aed w«s per- 
fonaed hy the ieg»eat fi«« that time aatil theexpuadoa 
of its tent of service. For the amaais ia wUdi they 
periKMmed the datks derehiKO* theai at the banls of 
^oae Brrer aad Chidamai^a ,janicduly &e fo(*er>. 
OoL FtK^teist aad d» leoMoat wse wandy ce^pK- 
aeated hy Gea. TVshs. Whea tkat seaenl assamed 
the eyef coamaad of the Army of dK CWmhetfaad. 
after CUekaiHKa. CiL Ftttkhaist (who had received 
hk pwariaa to the cokaelfy Feb. 6. 1S<S3^ was Made 



HISTOUY OF IJRANCII COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



65 



provost-miirslial-irciK'ial of (Ik; (lc]iiuiiiicii(, uiul tlic Iltli 
becaino provost mianl at army li('ail(Hiartcr,s. In Docom- 
ber, 18G3, tlio re{;iiiu'nt, to the number of two hundred and 
twenty-nine, roenlisted as a veteran orpiiiization, received 
a veteran furloui^li, an<l returned to Mieliijran in a body, 
arriving at Coldwator in January, ISiil. At the expira- 
tion of its furlouj:;h, roasseinbling at the same place, it lefl 
on the '20tli of February for the front, witli it,-* raiiiis filled 
to about five hundred men. At Ciiattanoopi it returned to 
duty at headquarters, and in tin; summer and fall trf 1864 
participated in all the operations of the Army of the Cum- 
berland in (Jeorjiia and Tennessee. It entered Atlanta on 
its evacuation by the enemy, and wa.s there cngaj^ed in 
provost duty till that city was abandoned by the Union 
forces, when it returned to Chattanooj^a. Duriiij;; October, 
sixty-nine members were di.schariji;ed by expiration of their 
term of service, but as a large number of recruits had been 
received during the year, the regiment, on the 1st of No- 
vember, 18U4, numbered eight luindicd and ninety-seven 
enlisted men. It remained iu Chattanooga until the 27th 
of March, 18G5, when it was moved to Nashville. There 
it stayed on duty at head((uarters and as guard at the mili- 
tary prison until the 15th of September, when it was mus- 
tered out of the service, and on the following day left for 
Michigan. It arrived at Jackson on the 19th of Septem- 
ber, and one week later the men were paid off and dis- 
banded, when they returned to their homes and to the 
avocations of peace. 

MKMUEUS OF THE NINTlt INF.\NTRY FUOM BRANCH COUNTY. 

John (i. Pnrkhurot, Culilwutcr, lu-nt.-col.; eiil. Sept. 10, 1801; captured at 

Murfrocsboro', Tumi., July l;!, 1802; mleii-si'd Di>c, :i, 1862; col., Fob. G, 

1803; breTt. brig.-gcn., May 22, l«or>; niiist. out Nov. 10, 1805. 
Mortinior Mulislield, Coldwutyr, l8t liout.; eill. Oct. 12, 1801; capt., Jan. 7, 

1802; captured at Murfn-oaboro', Tonn., July l;l, 1802; released Aug. 8, 

1802; must, out Sept. l.l, 180,"). 
Williaui A. Hull, aildwaler, 2d lieut.; onl. Oct. 12, 1801; lat lieut., Feb. 8, 

1S02; captured at .Murfreesboro', July 13, 1802; released Dec. 3, 1802; 

capt., April y, 18011; resigued Aug. 22, 1804, to enter gunboat service. 
Charles W. Bennett, Quincy, 2d lieut.; enl. Jan. 17, 1803; capt. in U. S. colored 

troops, Oct. 20, 1803 ; brevet uuyor, Oct. 180j ; uuHt. out June U, 1800. 
Rev. Joseph Wood, chaplain ; enl. Feb. 19, IStVl ; not mustered. 
Robert Kborbiird, Co. G; disch. by order Sept. 28, 1805. 
Thomas .\. Kberliard, Co. ; must, out Sept. l.'i, 1805. 
Charles E. Gregg, Co. E; must, out Sept. 15, 1806. 
George Gregg, Co. K; must, out Sept. 15, 180.^. 
Isaac Could, Co. F; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 
Dennis Blacken, Co. G ; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 
Joseph F. Hill, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1866. 
William Ilassett, Co. D; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 
Henry Nessey, (,'o. D ; must, out Juno 20, 1865. 
Parker Howes, Co. D; must, out June 20, 1805. 
Henry Hungerrurd, Cti. D ; must, out Jan. 21, 1865. 
John S. Haines, Co. I) ; must, out June 20, 1805. 
Puches llllliar. Co. G; disch. to enlist as veteran, Dec. 7, 1803. 
Marion A. Howard, Co. H; must, out Sept. 15, 180.^. 
Charles Jordon, Co. G; died of disease at West Point, Ky., Dec. 1, 1801. 
John W. Klot/., Co. D; must, out S»pt l.i, 1805. 
Henry C. Kenyon, Co. G; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 
Williiini Krapohl, Co. G ; must. out. Sept. 15, 1805. 
John P. Ki<lney, Co. G ; must, out Sept. 15, 1865 ; came from 4th Inf. 
Frank Letter, Co. C; must, out Sept. 1.5, 1865. 
Fn-d. Lautz, Co. G; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 
Fred. Lipslair, Co. G ; disch. by order, June 20, 1805. 
Charles P. Lake, Co. K ; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 
Henry Lake, Co. K ; disch. by order, Sept. 28, 1805. 
Fred. Miller, Co. H; died of disease at Coldwator, Mich., Fob. 14, 1804. 
George Mathews, Co. B; must, out Sept. 1.5, 1865, 
Francis SIcGurk, Co. G ; must, out Sept. 15, 1866. 
Alex. Mclntyre, Co. G ; di.sch. by order, June 20, 1865. 
Daniel R. McKay, Co. ; disch. by onler, Juno 20, 1866. 

9 



Henry Melvin, Co. O ; disch. by order, June 20, 1805. 

Alvin Marks, Co. I; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

George H. Newell, N. C. S. ; must, out Sept. 13, 1865. 

Lewis W. Nathans, Co. D ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Thomas L. Nixon, Co. H ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Andi-ew Niipher, Co. G ; disch. to enlist as veteran, Dec. 7, 1803. 

Dewiit Pierce, Co. C ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Addison J. Peckham, Co. G ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Daniel O. Parker, Co. ; must, out Sept, 15, 1805. 

Joseph E. Penner, ihi. H ; died of disease at Whito Pigeon, Mich,, Doc, 7, 1801. 

Riley Pierce, Co. 11 ; must, out Sept, 15, 1805. 

Henry Robinson, Co. K ; must, out Sept, 1.5, 1806. 

Jereuii.ih Rhodes, Co. G; nnist. out Sept. 15, 1805. 

John Ross, Co. G; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 

Charles K. Rhodes, Co. F; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

David Itodgei-s, Co. K; must, out Sept. 16, 1805. 

Sinioti Ream, Co, B; must, out Sept, 15, 1H65, 

George Rogers, Co, B; must, out Sept, 15, 1865. 

Adams Reed, Co. 11 ; mu^l. out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Barnard L. Rider, Co. K; ilied of disease at Nashville, Tenn., May 24, 1805. 

James Reynolds, Co. G; died of disease at Murfreeslioro', Term., July 13, 1862. 

William J, Sternbiiugh, Co, G ; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn,, Jtine 13, '66. 

Barlow Smith, Co. G; disch. to enlist as veteran, Dec. 7, 1863. 

Charles F. Smith, Co. A ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Arnii'iius Siiringsteen, Co. E; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Rodolph Stickler, Co. F; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 

Bernaril Schlieting, Co. G; disrh, Jan, 10, 1865, for pro, in 45th Wis, VoU. 

James F. Sohemerhorn, Co, G ; disch, to enli^tt tut veteran, Dec, 7, 1803, 

Levi Sprague, Co, G; must, out Sept. 15, 1805, 

BcnJ. F, Saltoril, Co. I; disch. by order, Juno 20, 1865. 

Calviti 1), Smith, Co, I ; disch, by order, June 20, 1805. 

Alex. Tracy, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 15, 1806. 

Tbaddeus Viniug, Co. I: disch. by order, Sept. 28, 1866. 

Michael Unrah, Co. B; died of <tiscase at Galien, Slich,, Sept 1862. 

B. E. Williams, Co. G; died of disease, Juno 1, 1864. 

Henry Wiser, Co. G ; died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 3, 1864. 

John Winsey, Co. G ; died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Dec. 12, 1804. 

Henry C. Westlall, Co. B; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Ira M, Ware, C<i. F; must, out Sept, 15, 1865. 

Wm. II, Withington, Co, G; must, out Sept, 15, 1865. 

Is,aac Widenier, Co. G; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 

Carlos Whitiuore, Co. G; must out Sept. 15, 1865. 

Steward Wilcox, Co. K ; discb. by order, June 20, 1805. 

Dyer Wood, Co, K; disch, by order. May 15, 1865. 

Lanson C. Wilder, Co. K ; disch. by order, Juno 20, 1865. 

Charles H. Yates, Co. G ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

James Allen, Co. F; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Samuel E. Acker, Co, G; disch, March 14, 1805, for promotion in U, S, C, T. 

Henry Bennett, Co. B; must, out S<'pt, 15, 1805. 

Peter Bohn, Co. G ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Dwight G. Bolster, Co. O ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Henry Bordeuas, Co. G ; must, out Sept. 15, 1866. 

Charles W. Bennett, Co. G; in battles Stone River, Chickamauga, Nashville, 

etc. ; promoted. (See officere.) 
Jackson Brown, Co. G ; disch. by order, Sept. 28, 1805. 
Howard Bradley, Co. (J ; disch. for disability. Sept 24, 1802. 
William E. Bennett, Co. K; must out Sejit. 15, 1805. 
Eli Bowen, Co. K ; must, out Sept. 15, 1806. 
Oren Bowen, Co. K; disch. by order, Sept. 25, 1865. 
James Barnes, Co. G ; disch. for disability, Sept. 20, 1862. 
Winton B. Brooks, Co. K ; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 
Charles W. Babbitt. Co. K ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 
Reuben S. Babbitt, Co. K ; disch. l.y order, Slay 12, 1866. 
James Callaghan, Co. B; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 
Nelson 0. Caroyl, Co. B; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 
Lebannah E. Ci'rder, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 
William Cannady, Co. B; must, out Sept 15, 1805. 
Lester O, Chapman, Co, G ; nnist, out Sept, 15, 1805, 

Charles Courad, tkt, G ; died of disease at Coldwator, Mich,, Aug, 15, 1802. 
Slillman Crandall, t^o. I; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 

Wm. A. Clark, Co. D ; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862. 
Henry Crippcu, Co. I ; must, out Sept 15, 1865. 

Herbert B. Davis, Co. G; died of disease, April 1, 1864, at Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Isajic Doughty, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 1.5, 1865. 
William J. Dyer, Co. D ; disch. by order, Sept. 29, 1805. 
Melvin Dickinson, Co. C; disch. by order, Sept. 9, 1865. 
Francis Duniug, Co. F; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 
Andrew Demarost, Co. 0; must, out Sept. 15, 1866; disch. to enlist as veteran, 

Dec. 7, 1863. 
George W. Demarest, Co. G ; must, out Sept 15, 1865. 
Henry J. Dufres, Co. G ; disch. by order, Feb. 10, 1865. 
Lafayette Davis, Co. H ; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 
James D. Edwards, Co. C; must, out Sept. 15, 1865. 
AVilliam Eberbard, Co. G ; must, out Sept. 15, 1805. 



6U 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 



CHAPTER XIY. 

ELEVENTH INFANTRY. 

Comp.^ies B, H. and D principally from Branch County— Where 
they were Raise*!, and their First Officers — Muster of the Regiment 
— It goes to Kentucky — Sent to Tennessee in May. 1S62 — Over the 
Mountains atler Guerrillas — Back to Xa.ihvillc — Sent to Louisville, 
Ky., and Mounted — Alter John Morgan — On Foot Again — Back to 
Nashville — Building Fortifications — The Battle of Stone River — 
Col. ?toughton"s Report — The Regiment's Loss — On Duty as Pro- 
vost-Guard — The .\dvance injune. lS6o — Skirmish at Elk River — 
Fight at McLemore"s Cove — The Battle of Chiekamauga — Trans- 
ferred to 14th Corps — The Victory of Mission Ridge — Pursuit of 
the Enemy — Resaca. etc. — The Georgia Campaign of 1S64 — Mari- 
ett.i, Peaoh-Tree Creek, and Atlanta — Chasing Wheeler — Muster 
out of the Old Regiment — Xew Organiiation — It goes to Chatta- 
nooga — Services in Tennessee — Its Return and Discharge. 

The 11th Miehig:\n lufautry Kegiment was raised in the 
summer and aimnuu of 1S61. It was composed of men 
from Branch. Hillsdale, St. Joseph, and other southern 
counties of the State, and had its rendezvous at ^Yhite 
Pigeon, in St. Joseph County, where it was organized 
under authority received by Col. William J. May. its first 
commanding officer. Two of its companies — B and H — 
were made up almost entirely, and another — D Companv — 
very largely, of men belonging to Branch County. 

Company B was recruited at Quincy by Captain Melvin 
Mudge, ;issisted by Francis M. Bissell (afterwards its cap- 
tain) and others. It left that place on the 22d of August 
and reported at the rendezvous, where, on the 24th. it was 
mustered into the United States service, with full ranks. 
by Csiptain H. Tilden, U. S. A. Its first oflScers were 3Iel- 
viu Mudge. of Quincy. Captain ; Jen>me Bowcn. of Butler. 
Fii-st Lieutenant ; Miles Warren, of Butler. Second Lieu- 
tenant. 

The nucleus of Company H was formed at Coldwater 
M about the s;>me time; it was moved thence to the ren- 
dezvous, and there filled by recruits arriving in squads from 
Coldwater and other parts of the ronnty. The first officers 
of this company were: Captain, John L. Hackstaff. of 
Coldwater; First Lieutenant, Samuel C. Mills, of Cold- 
water ; Secvmd Lieutenant, Leouidas E. Mills, of Coldwater. 

Comp;»ny D was largely recruited in Bronson and vicin- 
ity, and in the early davs of the organization was frei]uentlv 
mentioueil as • the Bronson Company." The following 
were its first officers : Captain, Benjamin G. Bennett, of 
Burr Oak. St. Joseph Co. ; First Lieutenant. John R. 
Keeler, of Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co. : Second Lieutenant. 
Theodore P. Kesler, of Btvnson, Branch Go. Afterwards, 
upon the promotion of Capt. Bennett and the resignation 
of the two lieutenants, the three offices were all filled by 
Branch County men. 

The several companies of the regiment were mustered 
into the United States service at different dates, from Au- 
gast 24 to September 11, — their term of enlistment being 
three years. The original field and staff officers of the 
regiment were as follows : Colonel, William J. May ; Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. William L. Stoughton ; Major. Benjamin 
F. Doughty ; Surgeon, Dr. William N. EiUott ; Assistant 
Surgeon, Nelson I. Packard; Chaplain, Holmes A. Pat- 
Uson; Adjutant, Samuel Chad wick; Quartermaster, Addi- 
son T. Drake. 



Having received its armament (consisting of Belgian 
and other muskets of indifferent quality) the 11th Regi- 
ment broke camp at White Pigeon on the 11th of Decem- 
ber, and about midnight took railway transportation and 
proceeded to Louisville, Ky., where it was encamped for a 
short time in the soutliern suburbs of the city. From that 
place it was moved to Bardstown. Ky.. in which viciuitv it 
remained through the winter, suffering severely from sick- 
ness (^measles and smallpox) among the men. In the latter 
part of March the regiment removed to Belmont, Ky, 
where it was engaged in guarding the railroad. While at 
this place the men exchanged their inferior arms for Spring- 
field rifles. On the 1st of April the resignation of Col. 
May was accepted, and Lieut. -Col. Stoughton was pro- 
moted to the colonelcy of the regiment. 

On or about the 3d of May the 11th moved by rail to 
Louisville, and thence by steamer on the Ohio and Cum- 
berland Rivers to Nashville, Tenn., joining the command of 
Gen. Negley. There it remained on picket and ordinary 
camp duty for two or three weeks, and was then moved 
rapidly to Columbia, Tenn.. on account of a reported nud 
of the rebel Gen. John Morgan in that direction. The 
command remained at Columbia for some weeks, Capt. 
Mudge. of Company B, acting as provost-m-irshal of the 
town during that time. From Columbia the resiment 
moved to Pulaski, and soon afterwards to Murfi-eesboro', 
Tenn. ; thence (^under orders from Gen. Dumont"* it marched 
Cijstward across the mountains to the Sequatchie Yalley 
in pursuit of guerrillas : but as only a few scouts were seen 
it soon moved back to Nashville, from which point it was 
dispati-hed by railroad to Gallatin. Tenn.. being again in 
pursuit of the redoubtable John Morgan, with whose rear- 
guard a slight skirmish was had on the loth of August, 
From this expedition the 11th moveil to Bowliuir Green, 
Ky., and from there to Louisville. Here the regiment was 
mounted (though in a very indifferent manner^, and marehed 
(as mounted infantry ") once more in chase of John Morgan, 
who was reported to be in the vicinity of Frankfort, Ky. 
The raiment moved to that place, and also to Paris and 
Georgetown, but the rvnigh riders of Morgan had escaped, 
and the 11th returned to Louisville, where it was dis- 
mounted, and, resuming its infantry status, proceeded by 
rail back to Nashville. There it was joined to the 29th 
Brigade, in the command of Gen. Negley ; the other regi- 
ments of the brigade being the 21st and 69th Ohio, and 
19th Illinois. The lieutenant-colonel and major of the 
regiment were then respectively Nathaniel B. Eldridge and 
Sylvester C. Smith : promoted as such rice Stoughton, 
pKimoted, and Doughty, resigned v-^wg- IS. 1S62). 

On the approach of Gen. Buell's army from the Ten- 
nessee River, on its way to Kentucky in pursuit of the 
invading forves of Bragg, the 11th was moved out to 
Murfreesboro' to meet the column, and after its passage 
through the town the regiment marched in its rear back to 
Nashville, where it become st.-itionary for a time. While 
there Company B. under command of Second Lieut. F. M. 
Bissell (^ First Lieut. Bowen being at the time on the sick 
list and Capt. Mudge absent on recruiting service), was 
ordered to eommenc-e the erection of a defensive work 
in the southern suburb of the town, this beins the first 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



67 



moveraent made towards the fortification of Nashville. 
Tile worlv wliieli was tlion <.'(iiiiiin'm;i'd by tliat company 
(and soon after couipleted under direction of Capt. St. 
Clair Morton) was the one known as Fort Negley, the 
principal one in the chain of works which afterwards en- 
circled the city. 

At the opening of the campaign of Murfreosboro' by 
Gen. Rosecrans, the 11th moved with its brigade, Dec. 26, 
1862, on the Murfreesboro' turnpike, reaching Nolansvilie 
the siinic night, and, during the succeeding four days, pas- 
sing Stewart's Creek and Overall's Creek to the bloody field 
of Stone River, where the regiment was to receive its initia- 
tion to the wild work of battle. What that work was, and 
how the brave men of the 11th performed it, is well told 
in Col. Stoughton's ofiicial report of that furious engage- 
ment, from which we extract as follows: 

'•On the morning of the Hist of December heavy firing 
was heard on our right and front, and apparently rapidly 
approaching the position occupied by the 2d Brigade. 
The regiment was immediately formed and marched to the 
brow of the hill near brigade headquarters. The skirmish- 
ing soon after indicated the approach of the enemy to the 
right of this position, and my regiment was formed in line 
of battle under cover of a ledge of rocks about one hun- 
dred yards in this direction. The skirmishing continued 
with much spirit for nearly an hour, when a heavy roar 
of musketry and artillery announced that the principal 
attack of the enemy w;is being made on our left and rear. 
I immediately gave orders to change front on first com- 
pany, which was promptly executed under a heavy fire, 
and the regiment advanced in line of battle to the crest 
of the hill from which Shultz's battery had first been 
driven, and poured a well-directed and effective fire into 
(he advancing columns of the enemy. 

" The firing continued with spirit and energy until orders 
came to retire. The fire of the enemy was apparently con- 
centrated upon this point, and was terrific. Men and offi- 
cers fell on every side. The regiment fell back about 
eighty yards, was again formed, and then delivered its fire 
upon the enemy as he advanced over the hill, then retiring 
to the cover of the cedar woods in our rear. Here some 
confusion was at first manifest. A large number of regi- 
mentii had fallen back to this place for shelter, and the 
enemy's infantry and artillery opened upon us from all 
sides except from the left, towards the Murfreesboro' pike. 
Order, however, was promptly restored by our division 
and brigade commanders, and my regiment, with others, 
moved slowly to the rear, keeping up a steady fire upon the 
enemy. When nearer tlie cleared field to the right of the 
Murfreesboro' pike, the regiment was rallied, and held the 
ground for twenty or thirty minutes. It w;is then marched 
about lialf-way across the open field, when orders came to 
charge back into the cedars. My regiment promptly obeyed 
my orders, rallied on the colors, and charged into the woods 
with great gallantry, checking the enemy by the sudden 
and impetuous attack. After delivering one volley orders 
came to retire, and the regiment fell back in good order to 
the left of the Murfreesboro' pike. Here closed the active 
operations of that day. 

•' On the 2d of January we were again called into action. 



In the afternoon of that day we were posted, as a reserve, 
in an open field in the rear of our batteries, on the right of 
the left wingof our army. Between three and four o'clock 
the enemy made a heavy attack with artillery and infantry 
on our front. My command was kept lying upon the 
ground, protected by a slight hill, for about half an hour. 
At the expiration of this time the enemy had driven hack 
our forces on the opposite side of the river, one regiment 
crossing in great disorder and rushing through our ranks. 
As soon as the enemy came within range, my regiment 
with the others of this brigade, rose up, delivered its fire, 
and charged across the river. In passing the river my line 
of battle was necessarily broken, and I led the regiment 
forward to a fence on a rise of ground and reformed the 
line. 

" Here the firing continued for some time until the enemy 
was driven from his cover and retreated through the woods. 
My regiment was then promptly advanced to the edge of the 
woods, and continued to fire upon the enemy as he fled in 
disorder across the open field in front to his line of intrench- 
ments. At this time the ammunition was nearly exhausted, 
and my regiment, with the others in advance, formed in line 
of battle, threw out skirmishers, and held our position until 
recalled across the river. The lltli was among the first to 
cross Stone River, and assisted in capturing four piedts of 
artillery, abandoned by the enemy in his flight. 

" I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the troops 
under my command. They fought with the bravery and 
coolness of veterans, and obeyed my commands under the 
hottest fire with the precision of the parade-ground." 

The total loss of the regiment during those terrible days 
at Stone River was one hundred and eleven in killed and 
wounded and twenty-nine massing. 

Upon the occupation of Murfreesboro' by the Union 
troops, after the battle of Stone River, Col. Stoughton was 
made provost-marshal of the town, and the regiment re- 
mained there on duty as provost-guard until June 24, 
1863, when it moved forward with the army on the road 
to TuUahoma. It then formed part of the 2d Brigade, 
2d Division of the 14th Army Corps, under Gen. George 
II. Thomas. On the 1st of July it was engaged in a sharp 
and obstinate skirmish with the enemy at Elk River, Tenn., 
where it sulTered slight loss. After this fight it was 
encamped at Decherd, Tenn., until the general forward 
movement of the army in September, which resulted in 
the battle and defeat of Chickamauga. In this campaign 
the regiment moved with Thomas' Corps to Stevensson and 
Bridgeport, Ala., crossed the Tennessee River, entered 
Georgia, moved up the Trenton Valley, and thence crossed 
the mountains southeastwardly through " McLemore's 
Cove" to Davis' Cross- Hoads, or Pigeon Gap, where it was 
engaged with the enemy, and assisted in covering the re- 
treat of the divisions of Baird and Negley from Dug Gap, 
Ga. 

A few days later (Sept. 19 and 20, 1863) the lltb took an 
active and prominent part in the disa.strous fight at Chicka- 
mautra. In that battle it was under command of Licut.- 
Col. Mudge, of Quincy, Col. Stoughton being then in 
command of the brigade. This brigade (the 2d) held a 
most important point in the line of the 24th Corps, when. 



68 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 20, the hosts of the 
enemy, then fresh from the defeat and rout of the Union 
right wing under MeCook, came exultingly on to overwhelm 
tlie troops of the steadfast Thomas. The shock was un- 
waveringly met and successfully repelled by the veterans of 
the 14th Corps. The 11th Michigan here fought with 
great gallantry and persistence, repelling charge after charge 
of the enemy, losing eighty-three in killed and wounded, 
and being one of the last regiments to retire from the lost 
field, " when utter darkness closed its wing" over the 
slaughter of the day. The following morning Col. Stough- 
ton took a position commanding the gap to the southeast 
of Rossville, expecting each moment to hear the crash of 
rebel fusillades along his front. He, however, held the 
position through the day and the succeeding niglit, until 
four o'clock on the morning of the 22d (the entire Union 
army having in the mean time retreated, leaving this brigade 
alone on the outpost), "when, hearing sounds which indicated 
that the enemy was preparing to advance, he quietly and suc- 
cessfully withdrew his pickets and moved the command with 
all possible speed to Chattanooga, which was reached without 
the lo.ss of a man. The successful movement of the brigade, 
and the admirable conduct of the troops composing it, were 
afterwards highly complimented by General Thomas. 

In the reorganization of the army which followed the 
campaign of Chickamauga, the 11th became part of the 2d 
Brigade of Gen. King's (1st) Division of the 14th Corps. 
It remained with the other troops of the army, beleaguered, 
in Chattanooga until the 25th of November, when it 
marched in its place with the line that moved to the a.ssault 
of the frowning works of the enemy on Mi.ssion Ridge. 
Far above the Union army — then commanded by Gen. 
Grant — on those bristling heights were the Confederate 
forces of Gen. Bragg, their position, apparently almost im- 
pregnable by nature, being strengthened by long lines of 
intrenchments with numerous redoubts, which .seemed able 
to defy every attempt which could be made by the most 
desperate enemy. 

No military achievement equal to the conquest of those 
lines had been accomplished in America since the army of 
Wolfe surmounted theHeiglits of Abraham and vanquished 
the legions of Blontcalm before the walls of Quebec. But 
Wolfe made his way to the top of the heights by means of 
a night surpri.se, while at Mission Ridge the two armies 
were too large for that, and the Union forces were drawn 
out in broad day, with all the Confederate hosts as interested 
spectators. Yet when the order was given the long blue 
lines advanced steadily up the embattled steeps, sometimes 
climbing by means of bushes, and firing as they went at the 
enemy (who from his vantage ground sent thousands of 
bullets throughout their devoted ranks], pressing on without 
a thought of retreat, and finally driving the foe in utter con- 
fusion from all his rifle-pits, intrenchments, and redoubts, 
capturing thousands of prisoners and scores of cannon, and 
seizing the key-position of Georgia and the Southeast. 

The 1 1th Michigan was one of the most active and valiant 
regiments in the great charge, and was one of the very first 
to reach the enemy's works. It had thirty-nine men killed 
and wounded, including aiuong the former its gallant cum- 
inander, Maj. Bennett. 



The 11th hastened in pursuit of the flying foe, and at 
Graysville it charged their rear, aiding in the capture of 
Ferguson's Battery, with caissons and hor.ses complete. 

It was then stationed at Rossville, Graysville, and vicinity 
until the 7th of May, when it entered on Gen. Sherman's 
Georgia campaign. It was engaged at Resaca, Ga., May 
14, and at New Hope Church on the 27th. At the last- 
named place it remained eight days in an exposed position, 
almost constantly under fire. Again joining the pursuit, it 
participated in a successful charge on the intrenchments 
near Marietta, having thirteen men killed and wounded. 
At Peach-Tree Creek, on the 20th of July, it lost eleven 
killed and wounded, and at the battle in front of Atlanta, on 
the 7th of August, it had fifteen men killed and fifteen 
wounded. 

The regiment's term of service having now expired, it 
returned to Chattanooga, August 27, but three days after 
its arrival there, was ordered to join a column sent in pur- 
suit of the rebel Gen. Wheeler, who was then raidinir in 
Tennes.see. On this service it marched to Murfreesboro', 
and thence to Huntsville, Ala., but finding no enemy, it re- 
turned to Chattanooga, September 13, and on the 18th 
started for JMichigan, leaving behind one hundred and fifty- 
two veterans and recruits with unexpired terms. It was 
mustered out at Sturgis on the 13th of September, 18(34. 

ELEVENTH INF.\NTRY REORG.\NIZED. 

It was determined, however, not to lose the name and 
prestige of a regiment which had won such renown, and 
even before its muster out, orders were issued l)y the Gov- 
ernor for its reorganization. This was not accomplished 
until the IStli of March, ]8(i5, when the new 11th was 
concentrated at Jackson. The new regiment contained 
more than one hundred members fiom Branch County. 
About the 1st of April it proceeded to Chattanooga, whcie 
it was joined by the veterans and others who had been left 
behind on the return of the old regiment. By this time 
the fighting in the West was over, but the regiment was 
retained in Tennessee until the middle of September, mostly 
engaged in guarding railroads, etc., in the eastern part of 
that State. It was paid off' and disbanded at Jackson, 
Mich., on the 23d of September, 18U5. 

MEMBERS OF ELEVENTH INFANTRY (OLD ORG.VNIZATION) FROM 

BRANCH COUNTY. 
Mclviri 5Iiuipe, Qiiinry, cnpt., Co. B; enl. Aug. 24, 1S61 ; Heut.-coL, Jan. 7, 1SG3; 

niiisl. out at eutl of sorvice, Sfpt. 30, 18C4. 
Charle» Moiisc, BrousOn, capt., Cu. O; enl. Aug. -li, 1801; rts. Feb. 14, 1802; rc- 

ap]...inti>d Fell. 14, 18G2; res. Nov. 14, 1862. 
John L. Ilackstaff, Coldwater.capt., Co. II ; enl. Aug. 24, ISOI ; res. Marcli 11, '62. 
Jerunie Buwen, Quincy, Ist lient., Co. B: enl. Aug. 21, leOl ; res. Nov. 20, 1802. 
Samuel P. MiMa.ColJwater, 1st lieut.,Co. H ; enl. Aug. 21, 1801 ; res. Juiie24,'0'2. 
Miles Wnrreri, Quiiicj-, 2il lieut., Co. H ; enl. Aug. 24, 1801 ; res. Feb. 8, 1802. 
Theo. P. K.ssler, Uroni..n, 2.1 lient., Co. H ; enl. Aug. 24, 1801 ; res. Feb. 12, 1802. 
Leouidiis E. Mills, ColJwjitor, 2d lieut., Co. II ; enl. Aug. 24, 1801 ; res. June 23, 

1802. 
Francis M. Bis<ell, Qiiinry,2il lieut. Co. B; enl. Feb. 19, 1802 ; 1st lieut., Nov. 

20, 1802; capt., Jan. 7, ISO;); discli. for disability, June 4, 1804. 
Linus T. Squire, Qnincy, 2d lieut,, June 24, 1802; 1st lieut.. Jan. 1, 18&I ; a-ljl., 

Aug. 3, 186 ( ; must, out at end of service. Sept. 3U, 1864. 
Edward W. Catliu, Algausee, 2d lieut. ; enl. M.irch 12, 1802; Ist lieut., Dec. 10, 

1802; Ciipt., Jan. 13, 1804; died of wounds received, Aug. 7, 1S64, near 

Atlanta, G». 
Benj.F. Hart, Bronson, l«t lieut., Co. D; enl. Jan. 9, 1S04; must, out S' pt..30, '04. 
Clianncey E. Koou, Allen, 2d lieut,, Co. B; enl. Nov. 20. 1862; 1ft lieut , Jan. 

7, 180i; capt., Jan. 17, 1801 ; must out at end of s^ivice, Sept. .10, 1804. 
James C. Ciislunati, Bronson, 1st lieut, Co. U; enl. Aug. 3, 1863; must, out at 

end of service, Sejit. 3n, 1804. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



<& 



Henry C. AJiimB,Cohlwiiter,2(l lieut.; enl. Mtirnh 1,1865; must, out Sept. lC,'6o. 

Irving S. tiralmm, Quincy, 2 J lieut.; enl. .hine 1, 18Co; mtist. i«it Sept. IG, I860. 

Frank H. Lime, Brunson, cupt.; enl. Jan. 7, 186.1; dit<niisseil July l:S, 186t. 

Ilernuin C. Adums, Cu. B ; iliscli. by onter to Vet. Ueu. Corps, Ang. 1, 186;i. 

Jesae Belcher, Co. It ; tnitis. tu 16th Mich. Inf., Sept. 2(1, 1861. 

AngnstnH Biujerow, Cu. B; <lisch. to enlist in regular service, Nov. 2.'>, 1862. 

Henry C. Bennett, Co B; iliscli. fur «lii..iKility, June 4, 1862. 

Levi Busley, Co. B; diseh. for disiilMllly, July 1, 1862. 

Oliver Busley, Co. B; died in action at Stone Kiver, Dec. ;J1, 1862. 

Nathaniel K. Burch, Co. B; died of disease at Bardstown, Ky., Feb. II, 1862. 

Marcins J. Bis-^ell, Co. B ; died of disease at Bardstown, Ky., March 16, 1862. 

Jerry M. Burleson, Co. B; ilisrh. at expiration of service, Sept. ^0, 1K64. 

Joseph A. Bowen, Co. B; liisrh. hy order, May ;J!, 1865. 

Ozro A. Bowon, Co. B ; iliscli. at e.\piriition of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Andrew Clark, Co. B ; died of diseiise at Belmont Furnace, Ky., April 18, 1862. 

Thouuus Clark, C-o. B ; disch. for disability, Sept. I.% 1862. 

Christopher Oonly, Co. B; difich. for disability, Oct. 18, 1862. 

Wni. n. Cumniings; died of wounds at Chattanooga, Tenn., Nov. 25, 186;!. 

\VilliHni Clemens, <,'o. B; tmns. to Vet. Res. Cori>s, Nov. 1, 186^. 

George W. Catlin, Co. B; trans, to 16th Mich. Inf., Sept. 20, 1861. 

John F. Cole, Co. B; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. ;J0, 1864. 

Lyman L. Cole, Co. B ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

James B. Daggett, Co. B; trans, to If.tli Mich. Inf., Sept. 20, 1861. 

Engene Deboif^, Co. B; disch. for disability, Nov. 2(1, 18G2. 

Henry S. Uanks, Co. B; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Melvin T. Edmonds, Co. B; disch. at expinttion of s/rvice, Sept. 30, 1864. 

■WiUiam 11. Eniens, Co. B; disch. for disability, April 19, 1863. 

Wilbur S. Harding, Co. B ; disch. for Ji*iibiiity, M;iy 14, 18(W. 

Samuel Hedge, Co. B; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn,, Jan. 28, 1863. 

Rlwin J. Hull, Co. B; disch. for minority, Sept. 10, 1862 

Andrew J. Hawse, Co. B; disch. for minority, Sept. 10, 1862. 

Daniel Haynes, Co. B ; died Jan. 2, 1863, of wounds received at Stone River. 

William W. .Johnson. (,'0. B; died Dec. 31, 186i. 

Fmncis Jerome, Co. B ; disch. for disability. Fob. II, 1863. 

William Kerr; dieil of diseaao, at Murfrcesbor"', Tenn., Feb. 13, 1863. 

Adelbert K Lockwood, Co. B ; di.sch. for disability, June 4, 1862. 

Jcdiii Mctiinnis, Co. B; disch. for disability. 

Levi McGinnis, Co. B; died at Mnrfieesbuiu', Feb. 4, 1863, of wounds. 

Edward C. McDonald, C". B; disch. for disaldlity, Oct. 4, 1862. 

Halsey Miller, Co. B; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Fred. Mailman, Co, B ; di-cli. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Orrin 1*. Nichols, Co. B ; di-.-d in action at Stone Hivi-r, Dec. 31, 1862. 

Derry Nichols, Co. B; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Slilo D. Niles, Co. B ; dl.*ch. al expi^atiou of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Joseph W. Perkin", Co. B; i.ied of disease at Bardstown, Ky., Feb. 8, 1862. 

Charles V. Patterson, Co. B; died at Kingston, Ga., of wounds, Aug. 24, 1864. 

James Pierce, Co. B; died of disoiise at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 21, 1862. 

Hiilsey E. Philips, Co. B ; discli. lor disability. 

Ogden B. Philips, Co. B; diach.at expiration of service, Sept. 3n, 1864. 

Menzo Philips, Co B; disch. at e.vpiratiou of service, Dec. 9, 1864. 

Tli'iniiiB C. Poynes, Co. B ; discli. for disability, Dec. 2, 1862. 

Edward i'o>nu-, C«». B; disch. for disability, March 9, IS63. 

Edwin Poyni*s, (Ju. B ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Aaron J. Parson-, Co. B; disih. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Charles A. Reed, C-. B ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

George N. R. Runyon, Co. B; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

AVilliiim I. Rogere.Co. B; trans, to Vet. Res. (^'orps. 

Ansel Rich, Co. B; taken prisoner at Chickainauga; died at Andersouville, Ga. 

Roseo Somes, Co. B; disch. for disability, June 4, 1862. 

David Sitlley, Co. B; disch. for disability, July 1, 1862. 

George Slayton, Co. B ; disch. to enlist in regular sei'vice, Nov. 25, 1862 

Peter L. Schwartz, Co. B; disch. to enlist in regular serxicc, Nov. 25, 1862. 

George Schwartz, Co. B; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Martin Schwartz, Co. B; died at Litchfield, Mich , Fob. 5, 1864. 

James Sweezey, Co. B; disch. at expinition of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Melvin Shear, Co. B; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

John G. Scripture, Co. B ; ilisch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Joseph T. Tindall,Co. B; di-ch. r..r disability, Oct. 28, 1862. 

William H. Tindall, Co. B; died at Mnrfreesboro' of wounds. 

George W. Taylor, Co. B ; iniiis. to Vet. Kes. Corps. 

Jonathan S. Tindall, (V B; di.-**-h. jit expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

George Turpin, Co. B; d scli, at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

George rpton, Co. B; died of disease at Nashville, Term., May 23, 1862. 

Geo. W. Van Valkeuberg, Co. B ; died at Annaiwlis, Md., Feb. 5, 1803. 

James M. Van Camp, Co. B ; disch. by order, Jan. 31, lS6;i. 

Tracy Vaughn ; trsns. to IGth Mich. Inf., Sept. 20, 1861. 

Jasher Williams, Co. B ; died of disesiae at Bardstown, Ky., March 22, 1862. 

John C. Welter, Co. B; disch. for disability, Aug. 10, 1862. 

John Welch, Co. B; ilisch. for liisability, .\pril 17, 1863. 

Wiishington Whitney, Co. B; dinch. by order. May 20, 1865. 

William A. Wheeler, Co. B; was in battle uf Stone Itiver; trans, to Vet. Res. 

Corps; disch. in 1864. 
Andrew Bair, Co. C; disch. for disability, Dec. 0, 1861. 
Hubbard F. Bufrnm,Co. D; disch. for disability, June 28, 1862. 
Henry Burleson, Co. D. 

David G. Burleson, Co. D; disch. at expirati"»n of sei vice, Sept. 30, 186-1. 
Siimutl A. Clark, Co. D ; died of disease, April 1, 1862. 



Jesse .F. Christy, Co. D; discli. at expiration of servicp, S-pt 30, 1864. 

John W. Coi*. Co. D; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. :U), 1864. 

George Chmdler, Co. C; disch. for disabibty, Feb. 13, 1862. 

Henry C. Cady, Co. C; trans, to Medical Department, April 1, 1862. 

Jehiel Driggs, Co. D ; disch. for disability. May 19, 1862. 

A. M. Diisenborry, Co. D; died of disease, Feb. 16, 1862. 

Oliver Kvarts, Co. D; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., March 28, 186.3. 

Lyman Kvans, Co. D; disch. at expinition of service, Sept. :to, 1864. 

Charles W. Kggle^ton, Co. D ; tlisch. at expinition of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

James Krnign, Co. A ; missing in acti<ui at ('hickamaupi. Sept. 11, 1863. 

W.lliam H Kdwanls, Co. I>; disch. for dis^ibiliiy, Aug. 14,1862. 

Geor;;e W. (Jrilfin, Co. D ; disch. for disability, March 6, 1803. 

Anson T. Gilbert, Co. D; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

John George, Co, D ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

John A. Gary, Co. C; died of wounds at Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 7, 18G4. 

John Henigan, Co. D; died of disease, March 28, 18G2. 

Richard M. Ilincs, Co. D; died of disease, Jan. 25, 1862. 

John Hen.lerson, Co. D ; di-ch. tor disability, June 10, 1862. 

Daniel W. H.dbrook, Co. A; disch. for disability, Oct. 28, 186:J. 

Harry N. Hamilton, Co. D; disch. for disability, Dec. 4, 1863. 

Charles Hamilton, Co. D; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 1, 1864. 

William L. Hoxie, Co. D; died in action at Davis' Cross-Roads, Ga., Sept. 11, 

1863. 
Charles D. Hamncr, Co. D ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 
Wellington Hender.^on, Co. D; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 
Henry E. Hallrewer, Co. D; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 
Jacob K. Kenbarger, Co. D ; disch. by order. May 29, I8C0. 
Wm. II. T. Kellnm, Co. D; d.sch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1804. 
Melvin J. Lyon. Co. D; di-ch. at expiration of service, Si'pt. 30, 1864. 
Samuel W. I^oiing, Co. D; discli. at expiration of service, Sept. ;J0, 1864. 
Charles W. Leigh, Co. A ; disch. by order. 
Gordon Lynch, ('o. C; discli. for minority, Nov. G, 1861. 
Tliomiis McLaughlin, Co. D; ilisch. for d sability, Oct. 30, 1862. 
Jerome M.lliman, (^. D; disch. for disability. 
William H. Melville, Co. 0; tran'*. to Vet. Res. Coriw, March l.'i, 1864. 

Hiirmi)n Oito, Co. D ; di ch. at expinition of service, S pt. 30, 18)^4. 

Henry Patten, Co. C ; disch. at expinition of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

John W. Purdy, Co. D; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Charles E. Punfy, Co. D; disch at expinition of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Jacob Peeler, Co. D; trans, to Vet. Ro^. Cirps, D.-c. 10, 1863. 

Jolin W. Quayle, Co. D; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Clarkson Robinson, Co. D; discli. for disability, Oct. 30, 1862. 

George L. Smith, C-i. D; disch. for dis.ibility, Feb. 20, 1S62. 

Stephen Sliippy, Co. D; died of diseas-^, Feb. 8, 1862. 

Daniel A. Shi|)py, Co. D; disch. at expinition of service, Sept. .30, 1864. 

David R. Smith, Co. D; disch. at expinition of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Homer C. Smith, Co. D; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Joseph Tubbs, Co. D; disch. for disability, June 20, 1802. 

William Tice, Co. D; disch. for disaldlity, Feb. 28, 1863. 

Charles A. Wilber, Co. D ; djsch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Wallace Wilber, Co. D ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Ephraim Worden, Co. D ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 
John II. Aladorf, Co. H ; diech. at expiraf ion of serTice, Sept. 30, 1364. 

Mathew Adams, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Sidomon B. Alsdorf, Co. H ; disch. at expinition of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

William Black, Co. H; died of disea-^e, Feb. 19, 1862. 

Fratiklin Bennelt, Co. H ; died of diseiwe at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 25, 1862. 

George Blair, Co. H ; disch. for disability. May 14, 1862. 

Eugene Barton, Co. H; disch. by civil authority, Sept. 27, 1861. 

William Burroughs, Co. H ; disch. for disability, July, 1863. 

William Bnwn, Co. H ; disch. at expiratiim of service, Sei)t. 30, 1864. 

Alfred G. Brown, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

J()hn Bennett, Co. 11 ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Stephen Burleson, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service. Sept 30, 1864. 

Chester Bates, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Alplinnzo Bush, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

William ChanUerluin, Co. H; died in action at Stone River, Tenn., Dec. 31, 
1861. 

George W. Carloton, Co. H ; died of disease, May 12, 1862. 

Henry Crull, Co. H ; died of disease, Feb. 9, 1862. 

Hiram Cusick, Co. H ; died of disease at Nishville, Tenn., Aug. 10. 1863. 

Aretus Corwin, Co. H ; disch. for disability. June 26. 1862. 

Horace Crnll. Co. H ; disch. for disability, April 9, 1862. 

Richard Chamberlain, Co. H; disch. for disability, April 29, 1862. 

Aliel Coon, Co. H ; discb. at expinition of service, Sept. 30, 18G4. 

William J. Dates, Co. H ; died of disease, March 22, 18C2. 

Orlando Derry, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Seth L. Dusenberry, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Benj. Eastman, Co. H ; died near Atlanta, Ga., of wounds, Aug. 7, 1864. 

John Fnmklin, Co. H ; disch. to enl. in regular service, Dec. 8, 1862. 

William W. Fell, Co. H ; disch. for disability, Jan. 26, 1864. 

Edwin S. Fnmklin, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of setTrJce, Sept. 30, 1864. 

George Franklin. Co. H; disch. by order, Sept. 1, 1863. 

Walter M. Graves, Co. H ; died near .\tlanta, Ga., of wounds, Aug. 7, 18C4. 

William H. Gould, Co. H ; died of disease, Feb. 2, 1862. 

James H. Griffin, Co. H ; died of disease, Jan. 28, 1862. 

Chauncey B. Greou, Co. H ; died in action at Stone River, Dec. 21, 1863. 



^0 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



George W. Geyer, Co. H ; died in action at Stone Biver, Dec. 31, 1863. 

Edwin A. Green, Co. H; disch. at e.vpiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

George S. Griffin, Co. H ; disch. at e.\pii-ation of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

John Green, Co. H ; discli for disability, Sept. 16, 1861. 

Stillman Hedge, Co. H ; died of disease at Annapolis, Md 

Edwin Higgins, Co. H ; disch. for disability. 

Solomon Haynes, Co. II ; discb. for disability, Nov 9, 1863. 

Albert Hewes, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864, 

James M. Harris, Co. H ; disch, at e.xpiration of service, Si-pt. 30, 1861. 

Albert E. Knappen, Co. H ; died of disease at Lonisvrlle, Ky., May 10, 1862. 

Edward S. Knappen, Co. H ; discli. at c.\pirati.m of service, Sept. 30, 1S64. 

John Kesler, Co. H ; disch. to enl. in regular service, Dec. 8, 1862. 

Anthony Leversoe, Co, H ; died of disease at Bai-dstown, Ky., Feb. 10, 1862. 

Marvin Malleson, Co. H ; died of disease at Na.shville, Tenn., Sept. 24, 1862. 

Fay Mead, Co. H; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., of wounds, Jan. 27, 1864, 

Robert Slachin, Co, H; died at Chattanooga, Tenn., of wounds. 

Wni. Harrison Mudge, Co. H ; disch. for disability, Aug. 24, 1862. 

James Martin, Co. H ; disch. at expii-ation of ser\'ice Sept. 30, 1864. 

Newton Mitchell, Co. H; discb. at expiration of .service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

George S. .McKiiighf, Co. II ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Dennis Myswick, Co. K; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864, 

John E. Nichcds, Co. H ; disch. for disability, Aug. 9, 1862. 

Warren H. Newburg, Co. H; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., June 30, 1863. 

William Portors, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864, 

Samuel Phelps, Co. H; disch. for disability, June 23, 1802. 

William P. Reynolds, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service. May 3, 1865. 

Lorenzo D. Reynolds, Co. H ; disih. for disability, March 14, 180-1. 

IiTing A.Sheldon, Co. H; died of disease at Murfreesboro', Tenn., Jan. 18, 1863. 

Franklin Stearns, Co. H; died of disease, March 10, 1SG3. 

Edwin H. Seabury, Co. H ; disch. for disability, July 7, 1864. 

Anthony Stevenson, Co. H; died of disease at Banlstown, Ky., Feb. 10, 1862. 

Abram Stowell, Co. II; trans, to Andrews' Battery. 

Abram E, Stowell, Co, H; trans, to Batt. F, 1st Lt, Art., Oct. 20, 1861. 

Grove M. Tyler, Co. H ; died of disease, March 10, 1802. 

Charles 0. Twist, Co. H; discb. for disability, June 28, 1861, 

Alson A. Tifft, Co. H; discb. for disability, Nov. 21, 1863. 

Andrew M. Turner, Co. U ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864, 

Edward A. Turner, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Zibina G. Trim, Co. H; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, IstU. 

Joseph Turner, Co. 11 ; died of disease at White Pigeon, Dec. 7, 1S61, 

Harvey Vanderhoff, Co, H ; died at Murfreesboro', Tenn,, Feb, 4, 1863, of w'ds. 

Harvey E. Warren, Co. H; died of disease at Baidstown, Ky., Feb. 2, 1862. 

Warren Wilcox, Co. H ; died of disease at Bardstown, Ky., Jan. l.'i, 1861. 

Wm. L. Wheeler, Co. H ; died of disease at White Pigeon, Mich,, Nov, a, 1861, 

Aaron O. Wood, Co. H ; disch. for disability. May 25, 1862. 

Charles Whitehead, Co. H ; disch. for disability, June 26, 1862. 

Samuel E. Warren, Co. II ; disch. for disability, June 29, 1862. 

Johnson Wiilson, Co. H; disch. for disability, Oct. 21, 1862, 

Charles Webb, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864, 

Charles Wilson, Co. H ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Stephen V. Warren, Co, H ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps. Sept. 1, 1863. 

MEMBERS OF THE ELEVKNTH INFANTRY (N'EW ORGANIZATION) 

FROM BRANCH COUNTY. 
Samnel A. Arnold, Co. A ; died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn., March 24, lS6o. 
Adam E. Akenhead, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1S65. 
Giles A. Bixler, Co. A; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 
Laurenberg B. Brown, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865, 
David H. Brennan, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 
John Babb, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1863. 
Joseph A. Bowen, Co. B ; must, out May 26, 1865. 
George W. Burdick, Co. B; must, out Sept. 30, 1S65. 
Lafayette Barton, Co. B ; mHst. out Sept. 30, 1865. 

Obadiah Blass, Co. F; died of diseasa at Nashville, Tenn., April 1, 1805. 
Henry E. Burnside, Co. F; must, out Sept. 14, 1865. 
Joseph B. Badger, Co. F ; must, out May 16, 1865. 
Alvah J. Belote, Co. I; must, out Sept. 14, 1865, 
Israel L, Bullock, Co. I; must, out Sept. 16, 1805, 
Edwin Bundy, Co. I; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 
Benj. F. Barber, Co. I; must, out Sept. 16, 1865, 

Herman Crawford, Co. B; died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn , April 17, 1865. 
Fred. B. Cutler, Co. B; died of disejise at Jackson, Mich., May 24, 1865, 
Augustus F. Clark. Co, B ; must, out Sept, 16, 1865, 
Charles N, Carpenter, Co, A ; must, out Sept, 16, 1865, 
Frank Cockley, Co, F ; must, out Sept, 16, 1865. 
Jonas C. Cheney, Co, F; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 
William L. Craft, Co. I; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 
James A. Corey, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Obadiah Davis, Co. F; died of disease at Cincinnati, Ohio, July 8, 186i. 
Manly Dunham, Co. B; must, out Sept 16, 1S65, 
Harvey Dubois, Co, B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 
Michael Dunn, Co. D; must, out Sept, 16, 1865. 



Henry C. David, d, I ; must, out Sept, 16, 1865. 

Charles Davis, Co. F; must, out Aug. 29, 1865, 

Charles W, Eggiestoo, Co, F ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

William II. Francis, Co. F; must, out May 18, 1865. 

Joseph Failing, Co. B; died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn., April 24, 1865. 

Francis Graham, Co. A ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Charles Greenman, Co. F; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., April 12, 1865. 

Thomas GuDthrop, Co. F; mast, out Sept. 14, 1865. 

John A. Gregg, Co. F; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Augustus Gorham, Co. I; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Slierebri.ih Hayward, Co. B ; died of disease at Jackson, Mich., May 24, 1865. 

Norman F. Henry, Co. B; died of disease at Chatlanooga, May 1, 1865. 

Anthony K. Hower, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Elmer E. Hibbard, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

John S. Houston, Co. F; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., April 4, 1865. 

Edward A. Iloughtaling, Co. F ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Francis M. Hadley, Co. F; must, out Sept 16, 1865. 

James Harrington, Co. E ; must, out Sept. 16, 1805. 

Alonzo Howe, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

George D. Harding. Co. I; niu>t. out Sept. 16, 1865. 

James W. Harris, Co. K ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Harlow M. Ilolcomb, Co. K ; must, out July 26, 1865. 

Joseph Jenkins, Co. F; died of dis ase at Nashville, Tenn., June 6, 1865. 

Jacob E. Keubarger, Co. D ; disch. by order, June 20, 1865. 

Daniel Keeler, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Norris Kellan, Co. F; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

BenJ. P. Lyons, Co. B; must, out Sept. 10, 1865. 

Joel Loomis, C«. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Eber Loomis, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Charles Lewis, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Charles H. Lindsley, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

John E. Mills, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Lester Miller, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Joseph L Milligan, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Walter Slarshall, ('ii B; must, out S pt. 16, 1865. 

Zeuas Niles, Co. B; died of disease in Nashville, Tenn., April 8, 1865. 

Gilberts. Norton, (Jo. I; must, out Sept. 2.5, 1865. 

Wm. H. Needham, Co. I ; must, out Oct. 14, 1865. 

Byron Rustine, Co. I; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Hiram Rustine, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 30, 1865. 

Horace J. Robinson, Co. I; died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn., May 11, 1865. 

Emmons Russell, Co. C; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Way 30, 1865. 

Albert Richmond, Co. C; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Jerome Rjtlph, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Charles 11. Robinson, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 18G5. 

Solomon W. Robinson, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Lucien E. Rowe, Co. B; must, out Sept, 16, 1805. 

Orlando H. Richardson, Co. B; died of disease at Chattanooga, May 1, 1865, 

William A. Sweetlaiid, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

John H. Stockwell, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

David A. Steel, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

George W. Sexton, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

James N. Sorter, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

.\ndrew Sorter, Co. B; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Paul Shiffler, Vo. B ; must, out Sept. 16, 1805. 

Charles Stuart, Co. C; must, out July 1-', 1865. 

William Sludley, Co. C; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Andrew Sittei-s, Co, C; must, out SeiU. 16, 1865. 

Joseph 11, Shippy, Co. C ; must, out Sept. 30, 1805, 

John Smith, Co, E; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

George E. Sherman, Co. I; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

John G. Skinner, Co. I; must, out Sept. 10, 1865. 

Zebedee Swan, Co. I; must, out Sept. 28, 1865, 

George Turpin, Co, I; must, out Sept, 16, ISe.'*, 

Martin Vanderhoff, Co, B ; must, out Sept, 16, 1865. 

Kilborn Voorhees, Co. B; must, out Sept, 16, 1865. 

Jacob A, Vanorys, Co, II ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Abraham Vancnran, Co. H ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Daniel Wolf, Co. B; died of disease at Cleveland, 0., May 29, 1865. 

Almou L. Wright, Co. B; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., June 27, 1865. 

W. Whitney, Co. B ; must, out June 16, 1865. 

Henry W. Waterbnry, Co. B; must, nut Sept. 16, 1865. 

Henry C. Williams, Co. B; must, out Aug, 1, 1865. 

Wilson Wybind, Co. C; must, out Sept. 16, 1866. 

J. W. Walls, Co. E ; roust, out May 15, 1865. 

Andrew E. Wilbur, Co. F; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Calvin C. Weaver, Co. F; must, out Aug. 12, 1865. 

Amos Whitman, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 16, I860. 

Storrs Wilbur, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 16, 1865. 

John Weaver, Co. I; must, out Aug. 7, 1865. 

William H. Weller, Co. I; must out Sept. 16, 1865. 

Martin 11. Williams, Co. I; must, out Sept. 10, 1865. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUxNTY, MICHIGAN. 



71 



CHAPTER XV. 

FIFTEENTH, SIXTEENTH, AND SEVENTEENTH 
INFANTRY. 

A Scattering Representation — From Paradc-G round to Battlc-Field 
— The Fifteenth at Pitts-burg Lnnding— Battle of Corinth— Siege 
and Capture of Viekshurg — Vietorious in Georgia— The March to 
the Sea— Through the Carolinas— Ordered to Arkansas— Brought 
Home and Disbanded— List of Otliccrs and Sohliers— A Scant Dele- 
gation in the 16th— That Regiment in the Seven Days' Fight- 
Heavy Loss at Gaines' Mill — Second Baltic of Bull Bun — .■intictam, 
Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville — Hotly Engaged at Gettys- 
burg Sharp Fight in the Wilderness — Subsequent Conflicts — 

Storming the Works at Poplar Grove Church — Hatcher's Run — 
The Final Struggles — The Muster Out — List of Members — Branch 
County in the 17th Infantry — To the Front in August, 1862— Hard 
Fighting at South .Mountain and Antioiam— The Fredericksburg 
Campaign — From Virginia to .Mississippi — Then to East Tennessee 
— Fight at Turkey Creek in November, ISfi.l — liefcnso of Knox- 
ville — Once more to the East — The Wilderness, Spottsylvania. etc. 
— Heavy Loss — Siege of Petersburg — Final Movements and Return 
Home. 

The 15th Infantry, raised under Col. J. M. Oliver at 
Monroe, left that place for the front on the 27th day of March, 
18G2. The Branch County soldiers who served iu its rank.s 
during the war, numbered nineteen in Company A, two in 
Company B, two in C, one in E, one in F, two in G, ten 
in n, two in I, and fifteen in K, — making fifty-four men 
scattered among all the ten companies of the regiment. 

The 15th was transferred almost instantaneously from 
the peaceful parade-ground at Monroe to the storm of battle 
at Pittsburg Landing. It arrived the evening of the 5th 
of April, 18(52. The next day the battle opened, and the 
15th was hurried to the front, taking an active and gallant 
part, and having thirty-three officers and men killed, and 
sixty-four wounded, while seven were reported missing. 

The regiment served through the siege of Corinth, and 
was on duty iu the vicinity until that place was attacked 
by the rebel generals. Price and Van Dorn, on the 1st and 
2d of October, 1862. It was then ou outpost duty, ten 
miles northwest of Corinth, and was assailed by the whole 
rebel force. It fell back, contesting the ground inch by 
inch, and, with some other regiments, held the enemy in 
cheek during the whole of that day, giving ample time for 
Gen. Rosecrans to prepare for the next day's conflict, in 
which he won a complete victory over the rebel army. 
The casualties of the 15th were thirteen killed, thirty-two 
wounded, and five missing. 

The regiment served in Northern Mississippi until June, 
1863, when it was ordered to Viekshurg. Having been 
assigned to the 9th Corps, it took part in the siege of that 
city, sharing the hardships and dangers, which were at 
length rewarded by the surrender of the place (together 
with the grand army of Gen. Pemberton) on the ever- 
memorable Fourth of July, 1863. The 15th remained in 
Central Mississippi during the summer, and iu October was 
sent, with the 5th Corps, to reinforce the Army of the 
Cumberland. It was detained in Northern Alabama until 
February, 1864, when a portion of the men rc-enlisted, and 
the regiment was sent home on veteran furlough, returning 
to take part in Gen. Sherman's Georgia campaign in May. 
After unnumbered wearisome marches and luany skirm- 
ishes, the 15th found itself in the 5th Corps, in front of 



the enemy, near Decatur, Ga. The rebels drove back the 
17th Corps, which was on the left of the 5th. The 15th 
Michigan was ordered to take possession of an exposed 
position some distance fnim the line of its corps. On the 
rciments arriving near the point indicated, it was found to 
be in possession of the enemy. The men of Michigan did 
not hesitate, but luoved gallantly forward, and, after a brief 
but sharp conflict, captured the position with seventeen 
rebel officers, one hundred and sixty-seven men, and three 
stands of colors. The loss of the 15th was only four killed 
and six wounded. 

On the 28th of July the regiment won another victory 
over an assailing force of the enemy, which was driven off 
with heavy loss, leaving its dead and wounded on the field. 
Still another triumph was gained, near Jonesboro' , on the 
31st of August, when the enemy attacked the fortified 
camp of the 15th and was most decisively defeated. 

-Vfter the surrender of Atlanta, the regiment went to 
Northern Alabama, to operate against the rebel Gen. Hood, 
but returned in time to " march to the sea" with Sherman. 
It also marched through the Carolinas with that general ; 
went from Wa,shington to Little Rock, Ark., in June and 
July, 1865 ; returned to Detroit in August, and was dis- 
charged on the 1st of September. 

MEMBERS OF THE TIFTEENTH INFANTRY FROM BRANCH COUNTT. 

Rufiis KilAee, surgeon ; enl. April 9, 1862 ; res. Oct. 3, 1862. 

Benjamin Archer, Co. A ; died in action at SUiloh, Tenn., April 6, 1862. 

Chauncey Ames, Co. F; must, out Aug. 13,1865. 

John Brewer, Co. A ; discli. Sept. 8, 1862. 

Lewis F. Bassett, Co. A : died near Atlanta, Ga., Juno 17, 1865. 

Aimer R. Beebe, Co. A ; disch. by order, July 10, 1865. 

Henry Ballard, Co. B; must, out Aug. 13. 

Oscar Bloss, Co. E ; disch. by order, Sept. 11, 1865. 

Daniel S. Burdick, Co. H; must, ont Ang. 13, 1865. 

Jacob Beam, Co. K; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

George Babcock, Co. K ; mnst. out Aug. 13, 1865. 

George W. Clark, Co. A; disch. by order, Aug. 5, 1866. 

Martin Cass, Co. G ; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

Horace E. Dalton, Co. A ; disch. by order, Nov. 18, 1865. 

George W. Fenton, Co. A ; disch. for disability, June 14, 1862. 

Samuel Fry, Co. A ; disch. liy order, Oct. 18, 1863. 

Edwin J. Fields, Co. A ; must, out Aug. 13, 18C5. 

David Fox, Co. K ; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

Samuel A. Grice, Co. H; disch. by order. May 31, 1865. 

Miner S. Hoyt, Co. A ; died of disease at Corinth, Miss., May 25, 1862. 

Lewis W. Hilton, Co. U; must, ont .\ug. 13, 1865. 

James llolliday, Co. K ; must, ont Ang. 13, 1865. 

Henry Hudson, Co. C ; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

Watslip Kahout, Co. H ; must, ont Ang. 13, 1865. 

Wm. U. Laniberton, Co. H; must, out Aug. 13,1865. 

Wesley Morse, Co. A ; disch. for disability, Nov. 26, 1862. 

Charles McClure, (3o. A ; disch. to re-enl. in Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 18, 1864. 

Willson McClure, Co. A ; must, out Ang. 13, 1865. 

Simon Mathews, Co. H ; must, out Ang. 13, 1865. 

Edgar Osbnrn, Co. K ; must, out Ang. 13, 1865. 

David Pen in, Co. I; must, ont .\ug. 13, 18G5. 

Charles Bichey, Co. I ; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

David Rich, Co. K; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

Nelson Richardson, Co. A ; diech. for disability, Feb. 28, 1863. 

Elijah Ransome, Co. H; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

David Shook, Co. A; disch. for disability, March 4, 1863. 

Edwin J. Start, Co. A; died of disease at Shiloh, Tenn., June 13, 1862. 

Edward Sawdey, Co. C; died of disease at Camp Denison, 0., March 8, 1865. 

Charles Sheldon, Co. G; must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 

.\nios Stokes, Co. H ; mnst. out .\ug. 13, 1865. 

Sylvester E. Spencer, Co. H ; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

Henry J. Smith, Co. K; must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 

John W. Stafford, Co. K ; must, out .\ug. 13, 1865. 

Thonina Shalon, Co. K ; disch. for disability, June 25, 18—. 

James Thornton, Co. H ; mnst. out Aug. 13, 1865. 

Jacob H. Terry, Co. K ; must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 

Charles Thompmm, Co. K ; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

John Walson, Co. .\ ; died of disease near Camp Stevenson, Ala., Dec. 15, 1863. 

Isaac Walburn, Co. A ; must, out Aug. 13, 1805. 

Thomas C. Winters, Co. A i disch. for disability. Not. 7, 1862. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY", MICHIGAN. 



Joseph Woods, Co. B; miiBt. out Aug. 13, 1865. 
Niles Whipple, Co. K ; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 
John Wartteld, Co. K ; discli. by ordi-r, May 30, 1865. 
Charles Wilkinson, Co. K ; disch. for disability, June 5, 1865. 
George S. Warner, Co. K ; must, out Aug. 13, 1865. 

SIXTEENTH INFANTRT. 

The 16th barely comes within the limit we have pre- 
scribed as entitling a regiment to mention in these pages. 
It had, according to the adjutant-general's rolls, twenty-one 
members who were residents of Branch County, viz., one in 
Company A, five in C, six in E, two in F, four in G, 
two in H, and one in I. 

It went to Virginia in September, 1861. In the spring 
of 1862 it moved with the Army of the Potomac to the 
Peninsula and was engaged in the battles of Hanover 
Court-House, Gaines' Mills, and Malvern Hill. At Gaines' 
Mills alone it had no less than forty-nine ofiicers and sol- 
diers killed, one hundred and sixteen wounded, and fifty-five 
mi.ssiug. At the second battle of Bull Run it had sixteen 
killed, sixty-three wounded, and seventeen missing. 

At Antietam it was in reserve. At Fredericksburg it 
had twenty-three men killed and wounded, and at Chan- 
cellorsville one killed and six wounded. At Middleburo- 
on the 21st of June, 1863, the regiment captured a piece 
of artillery with nineteen officers and men, itself having 
nine men wounded. It was hotly engaged at Gettysburg, 
having twenty-four officers and soldiers killed, thirty-six 
wounded, and two missing. 

The next battle of the 16th (which in the mean time had 
reorganized as a veteran regiment) was at the Wilderness, 
where, on the 7th of May, 1864, it was sharply and gal- 
lantly engaged, having thirty-five officers and men killed 
and wounded. The evening of the 8th, the rebels attacked 
the regiment while on the march, but were repulsed, and a 
rebel colonel and a large number of men were captured. 
On the 22d of May the 16th defeated the enemy's rear- 
guard and made another large capture of prisoners. 

After numerous skirmishes and two or three serious con- 
flicts, it reached the lines in front of Petersburg on the 17th 
of June. On the 30th of September it was part of the 
force which stormed the works at Poplar Grove Church, its 
commander. Colonel Welch, being killed, and fifty-two others 
being killed and wounded. The regiment remained on duty 
before and near Petersburg until the 6th and 7th of Febru- 
ary, 1865, when it was engaged in the battle of Hatcher's 
Run and sufi'ered heavy loss. It was also engaged to 
some extent in the conflicts at Five Forks, Amelia Court- 
House, High Bridge, and the crowning glory of Appomat- 
tox Court-House. After being ordered to Louisville, Ky., 
and Jefi'ersonville, Ind., in June, it was finally sent to 
Jackson, Mich., in July, where it was paid off and dis- 
banded on the 25th of that month. 

MEMBERS OF THE SIXTEENTH INFANTRY FROM BRANCH 
COUNTY. 

Earl M. .Ukin, Co. E ; died of disease in the field in Virginia, June 14, 18C5. 

Levi Beecher, Co. E ; must, out July 8, 1865. 

George W. Catliu, Co. C; died of disease near Sharpsburg, Va., Oct. 26, 1862. 

John W. Croft, Co. I; disch. by order, June 16, 1865. 

William Dillon, Co. A; must, out July 8, 1865. 

Leonard Dean, Co. E; must, out July 8, 1865. 

Levi Dicey, Co. E; must out July 8, 1865. 

Eveliu Earl, Co. E; must, out July 8, 1865. 

John C. Geedy, Co. E; must, out July 8, 1865. 



Benj. F. Hanford, Co. C ; must, out July 8, 1865. 

Adam Rower, Co. G : must, out July 8, 1865. 

Rob't Herot, Co. G; must, out July 8, 1865. 

Abram Mosier, Co. C. 

Alonzo Meyers, Co. C ; died of disease at Dcavis hosp., N. Y., May 21, 1865. 

Jesse Mann, Co H ; must, out July 8, 1865. 

James H. Nye, Co. G ; must, out July 8, 1865. 

Lawrence M Nye, Co. H ■, nnist. out July 8, 1865. 

Joseph Rounge, Co. G ; disch. by order, June 13, 1865. 

Joseph Webb, Co. C ; must, out July 8, 1865. 

John H. Warren, Co. F; must, out July 8, 1865. 

Silliman Woodard, Co. F; died of disease at City Point, Va., April 21, 1865. 

SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY. 

Recruiting for the different companies composing the 
17th Infantry was commenced in the spring and early part 
of the summer of 1862. Branch County contributed nearly 
fifty men to the ranks of the regiment during its service, 
viz., about twenty each to companies C and H, and a few 
to A, B, E, and G. Company C had for its first com- 
mander Capt. Henry B. Androus, of Coldwater, and the 
first captain of Company H was Charles A. Edmonds, of 
Quincy. The regimental rendezvous was at Detroit. 

The 17th was the first regiment which left the State 
under the President's call of July 2, 1862, for three hun- 
dred thousand volunteers, the date of its departure from 
Detroit being Aug. 27, 1862, at the time when the hosts 
of the enemy were almost in sight of the dome of the 
capitol. At Washington the regiment was at once assigned 
to duty in the army of Gen. McClellan, and moved with 
that army into Maryland, in the campaign of Antietam. 
On the 14th of September, only eighteen days after its 
departure from Detroit, it took part in the fierce battle of 
South Mountain, where it sustained a loss of one hundred 
and forty-one in killed and wounded. On the 17th, only 
three days after South Mountain, the regiment fought 
again, and with equal gallantry, in the desparate struggle of 
Antietam, where its loss in killed and wounded was one 
hundred and five. On the 1st day of November, just five 
weeks after it left Michigan, the 17th had lost in killed 
and wounded and deaths by disease the remarkable number 
of two hundred and sixty-six men. 

From Maryland the regiment crossed into Virginia, and 
marched by way of Warrenton to Falmouth, on the Rap- 
pahannock River, where its camp was pitched on the 18th 
of November. During the operations against Fredericks- 
burg, December 12 to 14, it performed some service in 
.skirmishing, and crossed the river with the array, but was 
not engaged in the great battle of the 13th. It embarked 
at Aquia Creek on the 14th of February, 1863, proceeded 
to Newport News, Va., remained there till March 19, and 
then moved by transport to Baltimore, and thence by the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Ohio River to Louis- 
ville, Ky. From that point its movements were as follows : 
March 28, to Bardstown, Ky. ; April 3, to Lebanon ; 
April 29, to Columbia, and thence to Jamestown, which 
was reached on the 31st of May. From Jamestown, June 
4, it moved to Louisville, thence to Cairo, 111., and from 
there, by the Mississippi, to the Yazoo River, encamping 
near Haynes' Bluffs, Miss. It proceeded to Milldale Church, 
June 22, and thence, on the 4th of July, it moved with 
the column advancing on Jackson, Miss. The regiment 
arrived there July 10, having had some slight skirmishing, 
but no general enjrao-ement. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



73 



Again (Aug. 3) it embarked and proceeded bj' river to 
Louisville, and tlience by land to Crab Orchard, Ky., 
movinj;; from that point with the Army of the Ohio into 
East Tennessee. From Knuxville it went to Blue Springs, 
Tenn., and then back to Knoxville, arriving there Oct. 14. 
Six days later it marched, by way of Loudon, to Lenoir 
Station, remaining there until November 14, when it 
marched to the Tennessee River below Loudon to oppose 
the forces of Longstrect, who wa.s then moving towards 
Knoxville. From this position it was compelled to retreat; 
and while marching with the brigade, as rear-guard of the 
column, it was severely engaged at Turkey Creek, losing 
twenty-six killed and wounded. Returning to Knoxville, 
it took an active part in the defense of that place during 
the siege operations from Nov. 17 to Dec. 5, 18li3, .suffer- 
ing much from lack of sufficient and proper rations. Upon 
the raising of the siege and retreat of the enemy, the 17th 
moved in pursuit to Kutledge Blain's Cro.ss-Roads, and 
other points as far up the valley a.s Murristown. 

About the middle of March, 18G4, the 9th Corps, to 
which the 17th was attached, received orders to report at 
Annapolis, Md. Under this order the regiment marched 
from Knoxville on the 22d, crossed the Cumberland Moun- 
tains to Nicholasville, Ky. (one hundred and eighty-six 
miles), from which place it proceeded east by railroad to 
the point of destination. From Aniiapolis, where it re- 
ceived about two hundred recruits, the regiment marched 
with its corps, by way of Washington, to Warrenton Junc- 
tion, Va., and became a part of the grand army of Gen. 
Grant, with which it moved through the bloody campaign 
of 1864, from the Rapidan River to Petersburg. It was 
hotly engaged in the battles of the Wilderness, at Ny 
River, May 9, and at Spottsylvania Court-House on the 
10th, 11th, and 12th. On the day last mentioned its loss 
in a single charge was twenty-three killed, seventy-tliree 
wounded, and ninety-three taken prisoners, out of a total 
of two hundred and twenty-five men engaged. 

Reduced in numbers to a mere handful, the remnant of 
the regiment was detailed on the lOtli of May to act with 
the engineers. In that duty it was with the corps in all 
its movements to and across the James River and through 
the siege of Petersburg. It was engaged and did good 
service in the repulse of the rebel attack on Fort Steadman, 
March 25, ISG.o, where it took sixty-five prisoners. It 
participated in the final assault on Petersburg, and, with 
its division, entered the city upon its evacuation. 

On the 23d of April the 17th mdved to City Point, and 
on the 25tli embarked on transports for Alexandria, from 
which place it marched to Wasliington, and thence to Ten- 
allytown, Md., remaining there until May 22, when it 
moved back to Washington, and took its place in the great 
review of the Army of the Potomac on the 23d. It then 
returned to camp, and remained till June 3, when it was 
mustered out of service. On the 4th it started for Jlich- 
igan, arriving on the 7lh at Detroit, where it was paid and 
disbanded. 

MEMISEllS OF THE SEVENTEENTH 1NF.\NTIIY FROM BRANCH 
COUNTY. 
Honry II. Androus, ColJwuter, ciipt., Co. (! ; tnl. Jiiiiu 17, 18C2 ; cuptured at 
Siwttsylvuriia, Vii., Muy 12, ISiA ; (wcupetl, Jan. 0, 1805 ; mn3t. out witb 
regt, Junes, I8C,i. 

10 



Cliarlea A. Edmonds, Qtihicy; pro. to capt., Co. H, June 17,1862, from Ist lieut., 
Bat. A, 1st Lt. Art., May ^JS, 18GI ; wounded in action at Sutitli Moun- 
tain, Sept. 1-1, 18C2; honorHliIj disch. for wounds, Jiin. 10, 186:1. 

Benjamin K. Clark, Quincy, 2d lieut., Cu. I ; enl. June 17, 18G2; wounded in 
battle of South Mountain, Sept. M, 1802; honorably disch. for wounds, 
Jan. 10, 186^1. 

Daniel Holway, Coldwater, 2d l!QUt.,Co. C; enl. Feb. 24, 1863; pro. to Ist Heut, 
Sept. 19, 1803; pro. to capt., Jan. G, 1865; bvt.-maj., April 2, ISO."*; must, 
out with regt, Juno 3, 1865. 

Josiah Billingsby, Coldwater, 2d lieiit. ; onl, July 4, 1803 ; pro. to Ist lieut., Oct. 
19, 1803 ; killed in a skirniish near Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 20, 1863. 

Joseph It.iiley, Co. C: died in action at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1864. 

Charles Barber, Co. II ; must, out June 3, 18ti5. 

John Cory, Co. II ; must, out June 3, 1865. 

Charles K. Cory, Co. H ; must, out June 3, 1865. 

Lyman L. Colby, Co. H ; must, out June 3, 18G5. 

Jo-sse n. Critchlield, Co. H ; disch. for disability, Feb. 4, ISW. 

Richard C. Chamberlain, Co. C ; disch. for disability, Jan. 5, 1863. 

Burr Clark, Co. C ; must out by order, June 17, 1865. 

Ceorge M. Dallcy, Co. H ; died in action at Spoitsyivanin, Va., Msy 12, 18G4. 

John K. Kvans, Co. G ; died of disciwo nt Wiiahington, D. C, Feb. 22, 1863. 

Milo Greenfield, Co. C; must, nut June 3, 1805. 

Frir^bie Hutchinson, Co. C; disch. by order, June 10, 1865. 

Jam^s Holler, Co. 11 ; died in action at South Mountain, Md., Sept. 14, 18G2. 

Andrew J. Hawse, Co. II ; disch. for disability. Due. 29, 18G2. 

Samuel Harnutn, CJo. H ; discli. for disability, Feb. 6, 1863. 

Daniel Heller, Co. H; must, out June 3, ISOo. 

Moses E. Lauj^hlin, Co. II ; taken prisoner in action at Knoxville, Tenn. ; died 
at Andi:rsonville, Aug, 17, 18G4. 

AVilliam Hillman, Co. H ; missing in action at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 29, 1863. 

Leonard E. Minor, Co. C ; died Dec. 26, 1862, of wdunds, at Antietam. 

Alfred Milnes, Co. C ; diseh. for disability, June 3, 1805, 

Henry McNall, Co. A ; disch. for disability, Marcli 4, 1865. 

James K. P. Meddaugli, Co. H; discb, by order, June 5, 1865. 

John Nepass, Co. II; must, out June 3, 18G5. 

George Otiis, Co, II ; disch. for disability. Feb. 4, ISGI. 

John Petch, Co. C; difltl in action at Spottsylvjtnia, May 12, 1864. 

David S. Piatt, Co. C; died of disease at Frederickville, Md., Dec. 12, 18C2. 

Charles F. Potter, Co. H ; must, out June 3, 1865. 

David R;ipp, Co. C ; must, out June 3, 1865. 

Charles Rapp, Co.C; diihonorably disch. by order, July 15, 1865, 

Andrew P. Smith, Co. K ; died at Anderson ville, Ga. 

■\Villiam Sprague, Co. G; (rans. to 2d Mich, Inf. 

Henry E. Sisson, Co. H ; must, out June 3, 1865. 

Alfred J. Teachout, Co. C ; di.'ich, for disability, Jan, 1, 1863. 

Julius BI. Tompkins, Co. C ; died in action at Spottsylvania, Va., May 12, 1804. 

Anson M. Vicory, Co. C ; discli. by order, Feb. 23, 1863. 

Wallace WVIier, Co. C; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1804. 

Charles Welter, Co. C; must, out June 3, 1865, 

Paris C, Whiting, Co, C ; must, out June 3, 18G5. 

William S. Wood, Co. C ; must, out June 3, 18G.5. 

George Whitten, Co. C; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, May 15, 18G4, 

Garrett C. Whitesides, Co. H ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Feb. 15, 1804. 

Aaron V. Waterhnry, Co. H; kilted tiy explosion of Steamer "Sultana," on 
Mississippi River, .\pril 28, 1865. 

Ellis W. Yatds, Co. B; died of disease at CanpN-Uon, Ky,, March 30, 18G4. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

NINETEENTH INFANTRY. 

It5 First Colonel from Kranch Count}' — Companies C and H from 
that County — Their Fir.st Officers — The llegiment in the .-Vrmy of 
the Cumberland — Hard Fight at Thompson's .StJilion — Four Regi- 
ments Surrounded by Six Urigades — The Surrender — E.xehanged 
and Reorganized — On Duly under Uosecmns in 186.*? — Company 
D — Again Captured^In the Georgia Campaign in 1864 — Desper- 
ate and Victorious Fight at Resaca — Col. (jilbert Killed — Other 
Battles — The March to the Sea — Through the Carolina^ — To Wash- 
ington — Home — List of Ofiicers and Soldiers. 

Thf, Nineteenth Rcfjiiuent of Michigan Infantry was 
rai.sed from the counties of Branch, St. Josepii, Kalamazoo, 
Cass, Berrien, Van Buren and Allesran, in the .summer of 
1862, under the President's call of July 2, for three 
hundred thousand men. Its rendezvous fur recruitment 
and organization wa.'* at Dowagiae. Branch County was 
represented in the rogiiueiit by Companies C and H, and 
some fifty or si.\ty more men Irom the county served in its 



74 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUxNTY, MICHIGAN. 



other companies. The first commanding officer of the 19th 
was a citizen of Coldwater, CoL Henry C. Gilbert, who 
fell, mortally wounded, while bravely leading his command 
in a charge at the battle of Resaca, Ga., in the campaign 
of Atlanta. The adjutant of the regiment, Lieut. Hamlet 
B. Adams, and its chaplain. Rev. Isaac Coggeshall, were 
also of Coldwater. The Branch County companies were 
officered from the county as follows : 

Company C. — Charles P. Lincoln of Coldwater, cap- 
tain ; Smith W. Fisk, of Coldwater, first lieutenant ; Lucius 
M. Wing, of Coldwater, second lieutenant. 

Covipani/ H. — George H. White, of Coldwater, captain ; 
James A. Shoecraft, of Coldwater, second lieutenant. 

The 19th broke camp at the rendezvous, on the 14th of 
September, 1862, proceeded by rail to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
thence to Nicholasville, Ky., and later, towards the close of 
the year, to Danville, Ky. It had been assigned to duty 
with the 4th Brigade of the 1st Division of the Army of 
Kentucky, which, on the formation of the Department and 
Army of the Cumberland, was transferred to that army, as 
a " Reserve Corps." As a part of that corps, the regiment 
moved from Danville early in February, and reached Nash- 
ville on the 7th, proceeding thence to Franklin, Tenu. 

On the 4th of March, 1863, the brigade, — composed of 
the 19th Michigan, the 33d and 85th Indiana, and the 
22d Wisconsin Regiments, — numbering one thousand five 
hundred and eighty-seven men, strengthened by two hun- 
dred men of the 124th Ohio, with detachments of three 
regiments of cavalry, about six hundred strong, and a full 
battery of artillery, all under command of Col. Coburn, 
moved out from Franklin on a reconnaissance in force. 
After a march of about four miles, the enemy's outposts 
were encountered, but they retired before the Union skir- 
mishers, and the brigade bivouacked there for the night. 

Resuming the march on the following day, they found 
the enemy in force and strongly posted at Thompson's 
Station, nine miles from Franklin. At the point where the 
turnpike crosses the railroad, the enemy opened fire on the 
forces of Col. Coburn, who immediately formed his men, 
and ordered a section of the battery to occupy a hill on the 
left of the road, sending the 19th Michigan and 22d Wis- 
consin to support it. The 33d and 85th Indiana, with 
the other guns of the battery, took position on a hill on 
the right. The enemy had two batteries posted on a range 
of hills, three-fourths of a mile in front and south of the 
position of the Union troops. The 33d and 85th Indiana 
made a demonstration on the left of the enemy, to draw 
him out or charge his batteries, as eircuiustauees might 
dictate. This movement was made under a most galling 
fire from the enemy's batteries, and when the statiou was 
reached, two entire brigades of dismounted rebel cavalry 
were disclosed, strongly posted behind stone walls and other 
defenses. 

As it was found impossible to advance farther under the 
severe and incessant fire, the regiments were ordered to 
retire to their former position on the hill, supported by a 
squadron of cavalry ; but, for some unexplained reason, the 
cavalry failed to occupy the supporting position as intended. 
No sooner had the two regiments commenced to fall back 
than they were pursued by two rebel regiments, firing rapid 



volleys into the retiring Union force, which was at the same 
time under fire from the enemy's batteries. But as soon 
as they reached the hill the Indiana regiments turned upon 
the rebel pursuers and drove them back at double-quick, 
killing Cdl. Earle, of Arkansas. The enemy rallied and 
charged desperately, and were handsomely repulsed ; but it 
soon became evident that the commaud of Col. Coburn 
had here encountered the entire cavalry force of Bragg's 
army, con.si.sting of six brigades, respectively commanded 
by the rebel generals Forrest, Wheeler, French, Armstrong, 
Jackson, and Martin, — numbering in all at least twelve 
thousand men, under the command of Gen. Van Dorn. 

On the left the enemy, under Gen. Forrest, advanced on 
the position occupied by the 19th Michigan and its com- 
panion regiment, the 22d Wisconsin. At the time the 
attack was made, the section of artillery posted with these 
two regiments hurriedly left its position, and at the same 
time Lieut.-Col. Bloodgood, of the Wisconsin regiment, 
with three companies, left the field without orders, moving 
off by the left flank, and joining the retreating Union cav- 
alry and artillery ; but the 19th and the remainder of the 
22d Wisconsin bravely poured in their fire and held the 
assaulters at bay for fully twenty minutes. Forrest, checked 
in his advance, made a circuit with his whole force beyond 
the ground occupied by Col. Coburn, to the east, with the 
intention of turning his left flank. The 19th and 22d 
were then moved to the west side of the turnpike, leaving 
the 33d and 85th Indiana to protect the southern acclivity 
of the hill. The four regiments had scarcely formed in 
line behind the crest when Armstrong's rebel brigade 
charged from the east and the Texans from the south. 
The fighting now became terrific. Three times the enemy 
charged gallantly up the hill, and thrice were they forced 
back with severe loss. In one of these charges the colors 
of the 4th Mississippi were captured by the 19th Michigan. 

The fighting became desperate. The enemy, having 
gained possession of the hill on the east of the road, were 
sweeping the Northern ranks with canister, and, bravely as 
the Union troops fought, it soon became evident that the 
struggle was hopeless. Their ammunition was nearly ex- 
hausted, and Forrest, who had already cut them ofi' from 
Franklin, was advancing on their rear. Col. Coburn faced 
his command to the north to meet and repel this new dan- 
ger, and thus Forrest was held in check until the Uuion 
men had expended their last round of ammunition. Then 
the brave band fixed bayonets, determined to charge through 
the enemy's lines and escape; but ju.st then it was discov- 
ered that still another line lay in reserve and still another 
battery opened on them from an unexpected quarter. 
Escape was now hopeless, and, to avoid a further and use- 
less loss of life, the command surrendered, having lost one 
hundred and thirteen iu killed and wounded. Col. Gilbert 
had had his horse shot under him in the early part of the 
engagement, and throughout all the fierce engagement had 
borne himself most gallantly. When he ofiered his sword 
to the Confederate commander, the latter declined to re- 
ceive it, with the remark that " so brave an officer, com- 
manding so gallant a regiment, deserves to retain his arms." 

A part of the 19th had escaped capture at Thompson's 
Station. This small body, with those who had been left in 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



75 



camp at Franklin, were sent to Hrentwood, organized with 
tlio rcniainin;^ fragments of the brigade, and placed under 
command of an officer belonging to another regiment. This 
force was surrendered by that oflScer to the rebel General 
Forrest on the 25th of March, withont the firing of a gun. 
The enli-stcd men were soon paroled and sent North ; the 
comniis.sioned otficers were exchanged on the 25th of May 
following. 

The 19th was reorganized at Camp Chase, Ohio, and on 
the 8th of June left Columbus to engage once more in ser- 
vice at the front. It reached Na.shville on the 11th, and 
from that time was engaged in ordinary camp and picket 
duty until Julv, when it was ordered forward, to form part 
of Kosecrans' column, advancing on TuUahoma. The regi- 
ment was ordered back to Murfroesboro" on the 23d of July, 
to do garrison duty in the fortifications at that point and 
along Stone Uiver, where Company I) was captured in a 
stockade, on the 5th of October, by a rebel cavalry force 
under Gen. Wheeler. After having been plundered, the 
men were released on parole. 

About the last of October the 19th was ordered to Mc- 
Minnville, Tenn., where it remained, engaged in the con- 
struction of fortifications and in similar duty, until the 
21st of April, 1804, when it was ordered to join its divi- 
sion and march with the strong columns of Sherman into 
Georgia. It reached Lookout Valley on the 3U(li, and 
moved forward with the army on the 3d of May ; being 
then in the 1st Brigade, 4th Division of the 20th Army 
Corps. Moving by way of Buzzard's Roost and Snake 
Creek Gap to llesaea, it was, with its brigade, desperately 
engaged in the battle at that place on the loth, on which 
occasion it gallantly charged and captured a battery of the 
enemy, afterwards holding the position against all efforts to 
retake it. It was in that charge that Col. Gilbert received 
the wound from which he died at Chattanooga on the 24th 
of May. 

The total loss of the 19th at Resaca, in killed and 
wounded, was eighty-one. It was again engaged at Cass- 
ville, Ga., on the 19th ; at New Hope Church on the 25th ; 
at Golgotha, June 15; and at Kulp's Farm. June 22; losing 
in these transactions eightj'-three, killed and wounded. Join- 
ing in the pursuit of the enemy after his evacuation of the 
position and works at Kenesaw iMountain, the lOtli — then 
under command of Maj. John J. Baker — -crossed the Chat- 
tahoochie, and took part in the battle of Peach-Trce Creek, 
July 20, in which its loss was thirty-nine killed and 
wounded ; among the latter being the commanding officer, 
Maj. Baker. During the remainder of the siege of Atlanta, 
the regiment was constantly on duty, much of the time 
under artillery fire, but took part in none of the general 
engagements ; its loss during that time being eight, killed 
and wounded. 

In the early days of November, 1SC4, the 19th was 
{(uartcred in the city of Atlanta, and on the 15th of that 
month moved with its brigade (the 2d of the 3d Division, 
20tli Corps) on the storied march to Savannah, taking 
active part in the siege of that city until its evacuation on 
the 21st of December. It remained near Savannah until 
Jan. 1, 18(35, when, with the companion regiments of its 
command, it moved acro.ss the Savannah River into South 



Carolina. It crossed the Pedee River at Cheraw on tlie 
2d of February, arrived at Fayetteville, March 11, de- 
stroyed the arsenal and other public buildings at that place, 
and moved thence towards Raleigh. On the 16th the 
enemy was found in heavy force at Averysboro'. Here the 
second brigade was ordered to assault the works, and carried 
them with great gallantry, capturing the guns and a large 
number of prisoners ; the loss of the 19th being nineteen in 
killed and wounded. At the battle of Bentonville, on the 
19th, the regiment stood in line of battle, but was not 
ordered in. 

From Bentonville, the 19th moved to Goldsboro', arriv- 
ing there on the 24th, and then marched to Raleigh. Here 
it remained until the war was clo.sed by the surrender of 
Johnston's army. Then, with its corps, it faced northward, 
and marched through Virginia to Alexandria, where it ar- 
rived on the 18th of May. Six days later it marched with 
the bronzed and tiittered veterans of Sherman's army, in its 
memorable review, on the 24th of May, through the streets 
of the national capital. From that time it remained in 
camp near Washington till June 10, when it was mu.stered 
out of the service and ordered to Michigan. Covered with 
honor, the men of the 19th returned to Jack.son, and were 
there paid off and discharged on or about the 15th of 
June, 18(55. 

MKMBEUS OF TUB NINETEENTH INFANTKY FROM BRANCH 
COUNTY. 

Henry C. GiUiert, ColchvalL-r, col. ; enl. Aug. 8, 18C2 ; ilieJ at Clmltniioogn, Miiy 

24, 1864, ot wounds received in action at Kesaci, Ga., May 15, 1804. 
Isaac C<>gge9hall, Coldwater, cliapliiin ; enl. .\ug. .'», 18G2; res. Sept. G, 18G3. 
Hamlet B. Adams, Coldwater, Ist licut. and adjt. ; eul. Aug. 14, 1862; pro. to 

capt.. May 1, 1863 ; must, out July 5, 1S6.'). 
Charles P. Licicoln, ColJwati-v, capt., Co. C; enl. July 28, 18C2; res. April 20, 

1864. 
George H. White, Coldwater, capt., Co. H ; enl. July 28, 18C2. 
Srailh W. Fisk, Coldwater, Ut lieut. ; enl. July 28, 1862 ; res. Jan. 31, 1803. 
Lucius M. Wing, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. July 28, 1SG2; pro. to 1st lieut.. May 

l,lS6:i; q-ni., M.\v a.'!. 18G4; must, out June 10. 18G.% with regt. 
Timothy G. Turner, Coldwater, 1st lieut. and q.-ni. ; eul. Nov. 18, 1862; res. 

M.iy 2.'>, 18C4. 
James A. Shoecraft, ColdwatiT, 2d lieut. ; enl. July 28, 1862; 1st lieut.. May 1, 

180.'t; wounded at Thompson's Station, Tenn., March 5, IS&t; res. Jan. 11, 

18G4. 
Lucius Phetteplace, Coldwater, 2d lieut. ; onl. May 1, 180:1 ; capt., Oct. 28, 1803 ; 

mnst. out June 10, ISOr*, with regt. 
William M. Norris, Coldwater, 2a licut.; enl. Dec. 1, 18C3; capt., Oct. 28, 1804; 

res. Nov. 4, 1864. 
Lucien B. Barnharl, Union, 2d lieut.; enl. Jan. 23, 18C4; lit lieut , Oct. 28, 1804; 

capt., Jan. 11, ISG.S ; nmst. out Juno In, 18t>.'., with regt. 
William L. Tyler, Batavia, 1st licut.; enl. Oct. 28,1804; capt., Jan. 15,1805; 

must, out June 10, 1805, with regt. 
George A. Russell, Girard, 1st licut., Co, C; enl. Oct. 28, 1864; capt.. May 8, 

1865; must, out .tune 10 with regt.; in all the battles in which the regi- 
ment took part, Thompson's Station, Atlanta, Savannah, Bentonville, etc. 
Jos pi 1 M. Alexander, Coldwater, -id lieut.; enl. May 25, 1804; lat llout. and 

adjt., June, 1865; must, out June 111, 1805, witli regt. 
John J. Morsman. 2d lieut. ; must, out June in, 18G.'i, with regt. 
Haniillon S. Miles, 2d lieut.; mu.st. out June 1(1. ISG-'i, with regt. 
Henry Butlej, 2d lieut.; must, out June 10, 1805, with regt. 

Company C. 

Asa Alexander, discli. for disaliility. July 30, 1803. 

Henry Austin, died of iliseaie at Danville, Ky., Jan. 5, 1803. 

Alonzo Berry, died of disciise at Nicholasville, Ky., Dec. 27, 1802. 

Chaunciy L. Brown, died of disease at Lexington, Ky., Feb. 9, 186:i. 

Fntuktin M. Barnes, mnst. out June 10, 1865. 

Siimuel Bates, must, out June 10, 1805. 

George W. Brown, mnst. out June 10, 1805. 

Henry Butler, must, out June l(t, 181)5. 

Alfred Deddell, must, out June 10, 1SC6. 

Hariis A. Burke, must, out Jtily 5, l.sr,.',. 

J. C. L. Ilaughumn, disch. for ilisal.ilily, M.iy 13, 18C5. 

William H. Bryan, disch. for disability. May 9, 1805. 

Jacob Doff Bary, disch. for disability. May 7, latKl. 



76 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Aaron Bnffum, disch. for wounds, July 27, 1863. 

Charles W. Bray, trans, to Kith Mich. Inf. 

Jirhn Coroy, trans, to Vet. Kes. Corps, May 1, 18C4. 

Hebides Culver, truns. to Vet. Kes. Corps. 

Arthur B. Chevois, discb. for disability. May 13, 18C5. 

Samuel Colsin, must, out May 20, 18C6. 

Don A. Cole, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Thomas Colan, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Charles H. Delnorcst, must, out June 10, 18fK5. 

John Demorest, died of disease at Camp Chase, O., May », 1863. 

Charles S. Daiis, disch. for disability, Jan. 5, 1863. 

Benj. V. Draper, disch. for disability, April 10, 1863. 

Joseph IS. Dickinson, disch. for disability. May 22, 1863. 

Thomas J. Evans, must, out June 10, 1865. 

AVilliam Finch, must, out June 10, 1865. 

E. R. French, disch. for disability, Oct. 24, ISSi. 

William H. Fonda, trans, to Vet. Ees. Coi-ps, April 10; disch. July 15, 1SC5. 

Giles G. Gordon, disch. for disability, July 8, 1864. 

Kraslus R. Green, died iu action at Thompson's Station, Tenn., March 5, 1863. 

Orson Gage, must, out June 10, 18G5. 

Stephen Gilbert, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Stephen L. Hawley, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Henry Halleck, must, out June 10, :s(». 

Julius Herriflf, must, out May 27, 1865. 

Freeman Havens, tran.s. to Vet. Res, Corps, April 26, 1864. 

Amos L. Hervey, died at Columbia, Tenn , March 8, 1863, of wonniis. 

Edward Hewitt, must, out June 8, 1865. 

George W. Hewitt, disch. for dis.ability. May 11, 1863. 

George W. Jackson, must, out June 10, 1865. 

David Johns, disch. for disability, Dec. 10, 1S62. 

Hiram G. June, died at Nashville, Tenn , Miirch 10, 1863, of wounds. 

Charles Kirk, died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn., Jan. 30, 1865. 

Augustus Lord, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Charles Lindsey, disch. for disability, Oct. 13, 1863. 

Thomas Munyon, died of disease at Gravel Point, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1862. 
George Miller, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Hamilton S. Miles, must, out June 10, 1865. 
George J. F. Miller, must, out June 10, 1866. 
Daniel J. Massey, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Erasmus K. Moore, disch. for disability, Aug. 6, 1864. 

Noble N. Marks, trans, to Vet. Ees. Corps, Nov. 1, 1863. 

John Phineas, died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., March 12, 1863. 

Joseph Polite, disch. for wounds, Aug. 19, 1S63. 

Erastus W. Page, died of wounds, July 20, 1864. 

William L. Parker, died of wounds at Eesaca, Ga., May 26, 1864. 

Charles J. I-ope, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, March 10, 1864 ; disch. July 6, 1865. 

Eleazur Post, must, out June 10, 1865. 

John Post, disch. Nov. 1863. 

Andrew Pender, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Philip Pitcher, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Leander Stevens, must, out Juue 10, 1865. 

Ora B. Stevens, must, out June 10, 1865. 

George D. Sinclair, died of disease at Atlanta, Ga., July 18, 1864. 

Calvin D. Strong, died of disease at Coldwater, Jlich., Sept. 5, 1864. 

Mark H. Smith, died of disease at Danville, Ky., Jan. 10, 1863. 

Ery W. Taylor, disch. for wounds. 

George Tottingham, died at Thompson's Station, Tenn., March 5, 1863, of 

wounds. 
Newell W. Thomas, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Edward H. Tullman, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Cyrus J. Titus, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Daniel S. Vanblarconi, must, out June 10, 1S65. 
Martin Vanblarcom, must, out June 10, 1865. 
George W. Whitehead, must, out June 30, 1865. 
Edward C. Wilcox, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Jedediah Wilcox, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Charles H. West, died at Eesaca, Ga., May 16, 1864, of wounds. 
George W. Worden, died July 20, 1864. 
Benjamin Wilcox, disch. for disabilitj', Feb. 1, 1863. 
Robert Williams, trans, to lOlh Mich. Inf. 

Sergt. Wlialey, died of disease at Nieholasville, Ky., Jan. 10, 1863. 
John Zwener, must, out June 10, 1865. 
John B. Van Orman, disch. for disability. May 6, 1863. 
William R. Van Orman, disch. for disability, June 17, 1863. 

Conipavy S. 
Walter J. Allen, died of disease at Camp Chase, Ohio, March, 18(3. 
Heman Balterson, died in action at Thompson's Station, Tenn., March 5, 1863. 
Elisha J. Brown, must, out June 10, 1865. 
Delos Bales, must, out June 10, 1865. 
James H. Baker, disch. for disabiliiy, March, 1863. 
Francis F. Carle, disch. for disability, Feb. 4, 1863. 
Frank Cirn, disch. for disability, July 6, 1SC3. 
Alanson Curtis, disch. for disability, Sept. 4, 1863. 
D. V. B. Cushman, must, out June 10. 1865. 
Calvin Cummings, must, out June 10, 1863. 
Edwar(^ p. Cook, must, out Juue 10, 1865. 



Alfred Cheney, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Henry K. Canfield, disch. for promotion. Nov. 1, 1864. 

Charles S. Davis, disch. for disabiliiy, Jan. 5, 1863. 

William Depue, died in action at Thompson's Station, Tenn., March 5, 1863. 

Aionzo Dickeison, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps. 

Anius Darwin, must, out June 10, 1865. 

William Ellis, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Jonathan Edwards, died of disease at Annapolis, Md., April 12, 1863. 

Jefferson J. Eastman, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Martin Elliott, disch. for disability. May 16, 1863. 

Fi'aiicis Fuller, disch. for disabiliiy, July 13, 1863. 

Benjamin Fuller, died of disease at Chattanooga, July 2, 1864. 

Jesse W. Fetterly, died of disease at Jeffersonville, Oct. 8, 1864. 

John E. Fetterly, must, out June 10, 186,5. 

Joseph A. Fetterly, must, out June 10, 1865. 

George W. Fetterly, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Terrence T. Goodwin, disch. for promotion, Dec. 2, 1863. 

William F. Gillett, must, out June 10, 1865. 

James E. Gibbs, must, out June 10. 1865. 

William Green, must out June 10, 1865. 

Timothy HurUy, disch. for disability, Aug. 8, 1864. 

I'hilo P. Henderson, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Dec. 15, 1863. 

Barnard Hawley, must, out June lu, 1865. 

Charles F. Housman, must. out. June 3,1865. 

Henry Harmon, must, out June 15, 1865. 

L. O. Halsted, died iu action at Thompson's Station, of wounds, March 5, 1863. 

Charles Jordan, must, out June 10, 1865. 

William A. Joidan, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Charles Kirk, died of disease at Chattanooga, Tenn., Jan. 30, 1865. 

Harrison il. Kendig, mu^t. out June 10, 1865. 

Robert Kelso, must, out June 10, 1865.- 

Reuben Lyter, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Wilson S. I.ylly, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Harlaii P. Lawrence, disch. for dis.ability, January, 1863. 

Maritui R. MorritI, disch for disability, July 7, IS&l. 

Edward V. Monroe, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Horjitio A. Bloody, must, out June 10, 1865. 

John J. Morseman, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Thomas Mathews, died of disease at Danville, Ky., Nov. 24, 1802. 

Joseph Bli>rgan, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Nov. 1, 1863. 

E. N. Nulendy, died of disease at Annapolis, Md., March, 1863. 

Enoch Olney, disch. for disability, Oct. 4, 1864. 

Thomas E, Pierce, must, out June 20, 1865, 

Nelson C. Peckbam, must, out June 10, 1865. 

John Paul, Uiust. out June 10, 1865. 

Mannoah Itoshon, must, out June 10, 1805. 

Harrison Rockafcllow, mtist. out June 10, 1865. 

McKenzie Sumner, disch. for promotion, Dec. 2, 1863. 

Henry Sanford, Sr., must. out. June 10, 18&5. 

Henry Sanford, Jr., must, out June 10, 1865. 

Francis Sanford, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Thomas G. Sumner, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Samuel S, Smith, disch. f.ir disability, Nov. 1862. 

Luke Stellings, disch. for disjibility, Oct. 26, 1865. 

Robert Stewart, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Melville W. Simmons, must, out Juue 10, 1865. 

Geoige W. Shay, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Stephen Taylor, died of disease at .\tlanta, Ga., Sept. 20, 1864. 

Q. H. Thompson, disch. for disability, July 7, 1863. 

Marcus L. Thornton, must, out June 10. 1865. 

Peter Thornton, must, out ,Iuue 10, 1865. 

Alvah Vanderhoof, must, out June 10, 1865. 

David Vandeihoof, nuist. out June 10, 1805. 

Daniel S. Warren, died of disease at Knoxville, Tenn., Aug. 25, 1863. 

William Wilson, died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., March, 1863. 

David O. Williams, disch. for disability, May 15, 1863. 

W. N. Willard, disch. fjr disability, June 3, 1863. 

Martello W. Wells, died of disease at Camp Denison, O., Nov. 2.i, 1802. 

George M. White, must, out June 10, 1805. 

John R. Wiiisley, must, out June 10, 1865. 

Lewis C. Waldron, must, out June 10, 1865. 

William Broukey, Co. I ; must, out June 10, 1865. 

Herman Boughton, Co. G; died of disease at Annapolis, Md., April 13, 1863. 

Chauncey L. Brown, Co. G ; died of disease at Lexington, Ky., Feb. tl, 1863. 

George Benedict, N. C. S., died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., March 5, 1863. 

Jeremiah Brink, Co. G ; must, out June 10, 1865. 

Jalie/. Carlisle, Co. E; Irans. to 10th Mich, Inf. 

Joseph Coalcliff, Co. G ; died of disease at Annapi)lis, Md., April 12, 1863. 

Homer Carter, Co. G; disch. for disability, July 7, 1803. 

Jacob Ecthlcman, Co. K ; trans, to 10th Mich. Inf. 

Carlton Gales, Co. G ; disch. Jan. 5, 1863. 

John Hunter, Co. I ; must, out May 23, 1865. 

Jacob Kreiger, Co. I ; must, out June 15, 1865. 

Henry Kratz, Co. I; must, out May 10, 186-1. 

August Kreiger, Co. I ; must, out June 10, 1865. 

William P. Kidney, Co. I ; must, out Juue 10, 1865. 

Michael Lo Graff, Co. 1 ; must, out June 10, 1865. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



77 



Wniiiim Liiullcy, Co. G ; died of disensn at Lexington, Ky., Feb. 19, 186.1. 

Fletcher E. Marsh, N. C. S.. disch. Uir proniolion. 

Addison P. Moure, Co. G; niuat. out Juno 10, ISfi^. 

Elijali Miors, Co. I ; tnnst. out June 10, IHO.'i. 

Daniel A. Miller, Co. I; discli. for difubilil.v, Nov. 2, 1864. 

Kohort Miller, Co. I; niUBt. out Juno 10. 180.'). 

August Morlock, C«. I ; must. «uit June 10, ISGJi. 

Churlea McCane, Co. I ; niu»l. <.ut June 10, 1866. 

Fred. Meyer, Co. I; niuBt, out June l(t, ISO."). 

Kdward Newlon, Co. I ; must, out June 10, 18Cfi. 

Nicholas Neater, Co. I ; must, out July 13, 1865. 

George W. (tids, Co. I> ; died of diseioie in Naslivillo, Tenn. 

Henry A. Potter, Co. G ; discli. for disahilily. 

WilliiiMi I,. Parker, Co. G. 

RichnuHxl F. Parker, mns. ; was in battles of Resaca, Cassville, Dallas, Atlanta, 

Kene*aw, Averysboro*, atul Rentonville; discli. June 10, '65. 
Hiram F. Penliind, Co. I; diaeli. June :i(l, 18Co. 
Charles E. Keynolda, Co. I ; must, out Juno 10, 1805. 
Charles Ripley, Co. I ; must, out June 10, 1865. 

FMward P. Shaw, Co. G ; died of disease at Cincinnati, , Ort. 8, 1862. 
Abner Slierwin, Co. G ; died of disease at Lexington, Ky., Fob. 19, 1863. 
Benjamin K. Secor, Co. G; died of disease, April, 1863. 
William W. Swain, Co. E; trans, lo loth Mich. Inf. 
Albert Stimson, Co. I ; unn*t. out Juno 10, 1865. 
Fred. Scifer, Co. I; must, out June 10, 1805. 
Andrew Slanker, Co. I ; must, out June 10, 18G5. 
Ansel Stone, Co. I; must, out July 2, 1865. 
Michael Welch, Co. I ; must, out Juno 10, 1865. 
William Watson, Co. G ; disch. fur disability, Jan. 10, 1863. 
Albert A. Webster, Co. I ; discli. for disability, Jan. 4, 1865. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH INPANTRV AND FIRST 
SHAEPSHOOTEKS. 

Forni.ation of the Twenty-Eighth — Conipuny C from Branch County 
—First Officers — Company I — To Kentucky and Tennessee — In 
Defense of Nashville — Starting for Mississijipi and Bringing up in 
North Carolina — Fight at Wise's Forks — On Duty in North Caro- 
lina until June, 1866 — Return and Discharge — Formation of the 
First Sii.arpshooters — .4fter John Morgan — Branch County Repre- 
sentation — In the W^ilderness — Nature of the Service — Heavy Loss 
at Spottpylvania — Cut off and Charging back — Eighty-four Miss- 
ing — Capturing Works witliout Results — Casualties in the Campaign 
— Defence of Fort Steadman — The First Regiment in Petersburg — 
The End — List of Members. 

The 2Stli Infantry was completed by consolidation with 
it of partially-formed companies, originally intended to 
form the 29th Infantry. The rendezvous of the 28th 
was at Kalamazoo. One of its companies (C) was com- 
posed principally of Branch County men, and its first 
ofiScers were all residents of Coldwater, viz.. Captain, 
David B. Purinton (afterwards major); First Lieutenant, 
George W. Bowker; Second Lieutenant, Chauneey II. 
De Clutc. A smaller number of men belonging to this 
county were in Company I, whose original lieutenants were 
Frank Plogert and Harlow E. McCarey, both being citi- 
zens of Coldwater. A few men from Branch County were 
scattered among the other companies. 

The organization of the 28th was completed in October, 
1864, and it left Kalamazoo on the 26th of that month for 
Louisville, Ky., arriving at that city on the 29th. On 
the 10th of November it was ordered to Camp Nelson, to 
guard a wagon-train from that place to Nashville, Tenn. 
Arriving at that city on the 5th of December, it was 
assigned to temporary duty, and from the 12th to the IGth 
took part in the defense of the place against the army of 
Hood. After the battle it remained on ordinary duty at 
Nashville until Jan. 11, 18G5, when it was embarked on 



steamboats, under orders to proceed to Eastport, Miss. 
But on reaching Paducah, at the mouth of the Tennes.see 
River, orders were received changing its destinatiuii to 
Louisville, Ky. Arriving at Louisville January 18, it 
was ordered to Annapolis, Md. ; but while on the way to 
that pliice a further modification of orders was received, 
under which it was moved to Alexandria, Va. There, 
having been assigned to the 2d Brigade, 1st Divi.iion, of 
the 23d Army Corps, it embarked on ocean transports for 
Moifhead City, N. C, where it arrived February 21, and 
at once left by railroad for Newbcrn, reaching that point 
on the following day. 

On the 2d of March the regiment moved, with its com- 
mand, on the road to Kinston, but encountered the enemy, 
under the rebel general Hoke, at Wise's Forks, and was 
there engaged on the 8th, 9th, and 10th, losing one officer 
and six men killed and thirteen wounded. After this 
affair, the march was continued, the regiment reaching 
Kinston on the 14tli and Goldsboro' on the 21st of March. 
It was then with its brigade placed upon the duty of 
guarding the railroad line, and so continued until the 9th 
of April, when it was moved by way of Goldsboro' to 
Raleigh, arriving there on the 13th. 

After the closing of the war by the surrender of John- 
ston, the 28tli remained in North Carolina, engaged on 
duty at Goldoboro', Raleigh, Charlotte, Lincolntown, Wil- 
mington, and Newbern, till the 5th of Juno, ]8Gt>, when 
it was mustered out of service. It was paid off and dis- 
banded at Detroit, immediately after its arrival there, on 
the 8th of June, 1800. 



David B. Purinton, Coldwater, capt. ; eiil. Aug. 15, 1864; bvt.-maj., March 13, 

1865; must, out June 5, 1806, with regiment. 
George W. Bowker, Coldwater, let lient.; eul. Aug. 15,1864; capt., Ajiril 11, 

1865 ; must, out June 5, 1866, with regiment. 
Frank Plogert, Coldwater, Ist lieut. ; eul. Aug. 15, 1864; capt., Sept. 12, 1865; 

must, out June 5, 1866, with regiment. 
Chauneey H. De Clute, Coldwater, 2d lieut. ; enl. Aug. 15, 1864 ; Ist lieut., March 

28,1865; must, out June 5, 1866, with regiment. 
Harlow E. McCarey, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. Aug. 15,1861; Ist lieut., May 

8, 1865; must, out June 5, 1865, with regiment. 

Company C. 

Reville M. Araidon, must, out by order. May 31, 1865. 

Monroe 0. Beadle, must, out Sept. 7, 1865. 

Dewilt C. Beadle, must out by order. May 26, 1865. 

Henry Bearis, must, out Sept. 13, 1865. 

John Bearis, must out Jiluo 5, 1866. 

James A. Bellinger, must, out June 5, 1866. 

Wellington Bennett, must, out June 5, 1866. 

Charles E. Bogart, must, out June 5, 1866. 

George Brightman, must, out Juno 7, 1865. 

James A. Barns, must, out Juno 5, 1806. 

Andrew Bair, must, out Juno 12, 1805. 

David C. Colfnian, died of disease at Jetfersonville, Ind., Feb. 2, ISe."!. 

Eugene Canwright, mustered out May 18, 1805. 

Cortlandt Chapman, must, out Juno 5, 1866. 

George Chapman, must, out June 5, 1S06. 

James Chapman, must, out June 5, 1866. 

Robert Chivcra, must, out June 5, 1866. 

Wilson B. Chronester, must, out Juno 1, 1865. 

Frank Curn, must, out May 2, 1865. 

Horace A. Crall, must, out May 2, 1865. 

Reuben Cole, must, out May 18, 1865. 

Orlando Cornell, must, out June 5, 1866. 

Perry C. Clermont, disch. for disability, Aug. 31, 1805. 

Charles D. Clulf, most, out Juno 8, 1865. 

Mortimer F. Davis, must, out May 17, 1805. 

Oscar I. Davis, disch. for disability, June 4, 18G6. 

Peter G. Dehn, must, out June 6, 1860. 

George H. Deveiia, muat. out Juno 7, 1805. 

Philip Funde, must, out Juno 9, 1866. 



78 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Henry Fiitli, must, out June 5, 1860. 

Oscar W. Frnzer, niuet. out Juue 9, 1806. 

John Gamliy, disch. at end of service, Feb. 6, 1866. 

Judson B. Gibbs, must out May 3, 1866. 

William Goodeuough, nuist. out by order, May 10, 18G6. 

Reuben I. Grove, must, out June 5, 1806. 

C. W. Kiminelmenn, must, out Feb. 26, 1866. 

Wm. Huugei-ford, must, out by order, April 25, 1866. 

Erastus Jennings, must, out June 26, 1805. 

Jacob Keller, must, out May 18, 1S65. 

Stephen Ladon, died of disease at Nashville, Jan. 20, 1865. 

Alex. Lamond, must, out June 5, 1866. 

Charles Lattin, must, imt June 5, 1866. 

John Libhart, must, out July 20, 1865. 

Samuel H. Lossing, must, out June 5, 1800. 

Alonzo McLaughlin, must, out June 5, 1806. 

Charles W. Jlorse, must, out June 5, 1866. 

John C. Meegan, died of diseiuie at Shelby, N. C, June 2.3, 1865. 

Alfred A. Norton, must, out June 5, 1866. 

Wil.ion Norton, must, out July 2fi, 1865. 

Willis S. Norton, must, out July 20, 1805. 

Daniel Pratt, must, out by order, May 17, 1805. 

Charles E. Perry, must, out by order. May 26, 1865. 

John H. Bniuon, must, out by order. May 3, 1866. 

Daniel S. Robinson, must, out June 8, 1865. 

James M. l{<i\vson, must, out June 27, 1805. 

Hezekiah Sweet, disch. for disability, July 14, 1865. 

James E, Sltrung, must, out June 5, 1860. 

Peter Sheeler, must, out Juue 5, 1860. 

James \. Shelden, must, out Sept. 12, 1865. 

William I. Smalley, must, out June 5, 1866. 

Charles A. Woodward, must, out May 12, 1865. 

Henry B. Winslow, must, out June 2, 1865. 

George W. Wiley, must, out May 27, 1865. 

Hosea Bnshnell, C<j. K ; must, out July I, 1865. 

Wm. G. ('hamberlaiu, Co. I ; must, out July 1, 1865. 

George Dustine, Co. I ; died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Nov. 10, 1804. 

Dustin Dockham, Co. K ; must, out July 1, 1865. 

James Eggleston, Co. K ; must, out May, 1805. 

William W. Feuno, Co. H ; must, out June 5, 1866. 

Russell Ilumistoti, Co. I; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., June 9, 1805. 

John W. Hudson, Co. I ; must, out June 5, 1866. 

Franklin Hamlin, Co. I; must, out June 8, 1865. 

Israel Hammond, Co. I; must, out May 26, 1805. 

John S. Luvejoy, Co. K; must, out May — , 1863. 

Luther Gray, Co. I ; must, out June 10, 1865. 

Abram A. Smith, Co. I; must, out May 31, 1865. 

Marshall M. Smith, Co. I; disch. for disability, Dec. 21, 1865. 

William W. Stratton, Co. I ; disch. for disability, March 7, 1866. 

Marcellus K. Whetsel, Co. I ; disch. for disability, June 5, 1805. 



FIRST SHARPSHOOTERS. 

The formation of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters was 
begun in the autumn of 1862. Its headquarters were at 
Kalamazoo, but were changed in the spring of 1863 to Dear- 
born. In the summer of that year, six companies, all that 
were then formed, were ordered to Southern Indiana, to 
check the progress of John Morgan and his rebel raiders, 
but they soon returned to Michigan, and the regiment had 
its ranks full by the 16th of August. Branch County was 
represented in the ranks of this regiment by about thirty 
men, of whom nearly all were in Company H ; the few 
others being in Companies B, C, and I. 

On the 16th of August the regiment proceeded under 
orders to Chicago, to act as guard to a camp of rebel pris- 
oners. It remained on this duty until March 17, 1864, 
and was then ordered to Annapolis, Md., where it was as- 
signed to the 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 9th Corps. It soon 
joined the Army of the Potomac, and met the enemy for 
the first time in the battle of the Wilderness, on the 6th 
and 7th of May, where it had twenty-four men killed and 
wounded. From their name, the Sharpshooters were evi- 
dently intended to act principally as skirmishers and ad- 
vance guards, fighting in detail, picking off rebel ofiBcers and 
artillerists, and other similar work. But these careful ar- 



rangements regarding particular corps often do not work 
well in the rough practice of the buttle-field, and the record 
of the body in question does not seem to have been seriously 
different from that of any other infantry regiment. 

The Sharpshooters behaved with great gallantry at the 
battles near Spottsylvania Court-House, on the 9th, 10th, 
and 12th days of May, in which the regiment suffered 
severely, having thirty-four killed, and one hundred and 
seventeen wounded. It also had a sharp skirmish at .the 
crossing of the North Anna River on the 23d of May. 
Although taking part in numerous skirmishes and other 
hostile operations, it was not again very warmly engaged 
until the charge made on the enemy's works before Peters- 
burg on the 17th of June. The Sharp.shooters gallantly 
pushed their way into the intrenchments, and twice, with 
other regiments, met and repulsed the rebels, who charged 
to recapture the works. At length, however, the rebels 
threw a large force in the rear of this regiment, it being on 
the extreme left of its corps, compelling it either to sur- 
render or break through the enveloping lines. The men 
promptly chose the latter course, and by a rapid charge 
most of iheni made their way through and rejoined their 
comrades. The regiment had thirty-one killed, forty-six 
wounded, and eighty-four missing. 

On the 30th of July the Sharp.sliooters charged, in the 
advance of their brigade, on the works next to the fort, 
which was blown up by the celebrated Petersburg mine, 
capturing the intrenchments and about fifty prisoners. As, 
however, the Union forces were unable to force their way 
through the blown-up fort, the regiment was obliged to 
retire. During the remainder of the summer and autumn 
it was engaged in trench and picket work, alternating with 
numerous conflicts, none of them very severe, yet sharp 
enough, so that the casualties between the opening of the 
campaign and the first of November footed up one hundred 
and six killed in action and two hundred and twenty-seven 
wounded. Forty had also died of disease in the same time, 
and one hundred and fifty-eight were reported " missing in 
action," of whom some were killed, some were taken pris- 
oners, and some had probably deserted. 

The Sharpshooters continued engaged in the arduous 
duties of the siege of Petersburg until the 25th of March, 
1865. On that day Companies I and K were a part of the 
garrison of Fort Steadman. The rebels attacked that post, 
but were defeated with severe loss, the Union men charging 
out and capturing a large number of prisoners. 

The end was now rapidly approaching. Nearly every 
regiment was kept constantly fighting, and the Sharpshooters 
had their full share of the deadly work. 

On the 3d of April the regiment was ordered to move 
forward in the advance at half-past three in the morning, 
when it was found that the enemy had evacuated Peters- 
burg. The column pushed on, and the 1st Michigan Sharp- 
shooters were the foremost Union regiment to enter the 
city. 

After doing service on the Southside Railroad until the 
surrender of Leo, the regiment went with its division to 
Washington. It remained in that vicinity until the last of 
July, when it returned to Jackson, Mich., and on the 7th 
of August was paid off and disbanded. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



79 



MKMBERS OK THE FIRST SllAKPSlIOOTEKS FBOM BBANCH CX3USTY. 

Honrj- S. Fish, Coldwiilcr, 1st lii-ut., Ilall'ii S. S.; oul. Aug. 19, 18M-, trans, to 

l»t Mich. S. S. ; must, out July 'JS. ISG.'). 
Kobert F. Bradley, Co. II; disch for disability, Sejit. 5, 1804. 
James L. Burnes, Co. II ; must, out July 28, 18G5. 

Jorotuiith Burchor, Co. II ; died of disease in Ist Division hospital, J utu; 13,1805. 
Alvin H. Barher, Co. II ; died of disease in Chicago, III., Oct. 15, 1SC3. 
I>aniel 11. Conkliu, Co. II ; must, out July 28, 186.'i. 
J..sc-l>h A. Ouiklin, C«. II ; must, out Jniu' 22, 186.^. 
Stephen 11. Conkliu, Co. II ; nm«t. out July 2S, 1865. 
Reulien Cornell, Co. II ; must, out July 28, 1805. 
Ileury Crag, Co. II ; must, out July 28, 1S0.'>. 
William II. Dupuy, Co. H ; must, out July 28, 1805. 
Charles Durfcy, Co. II ; died in Andersonvillo prison, Sept. 3, 1804. 
William H. Dnrfey, Co. H ; missing in action near Petershurg, Va., June 17, 

18G4. 
Andrew J. F.llis, Co. H ; mast, out May 15, 1865. 
Derrick Ilauken, d. H ; must, out July 28, 18C5. 
Joshua C. lledglen, Co. B; must, out Aug. 17, 1865. 

George llaulterbrand, Co. II ; dietl of disease in Chicago, III., Jan. 3, 1664. 
John Kelley, Co. II ; mi.«9ing in action near Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864. 
Hugh Kennedy, Co. II ; must out Juno 10, 1865. 
Thomas McLaiiglilin, Co. — ; disch. for disability, June, 1864. 
Lewis Priest, Co. H ; must, out July 17, 1805. 

William Rosa. Co. II ; missing in action near Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1865. 
John Rainbow, Co. H ; must, out July 28, 1805. 
George W. Sackett, Co. II ■, must, out July 1, ISM. 
Jacob Sackett, Co. II ; must, out July 2S, 1865. 
Benjamin F. Smith, Co. II ; must, out July, 1865. 
Henry Smith, Co. H; committed suicide while on guard, Sept. 5, 186:t. 
William II. Stebbins, Cu. I ; must, out Juno 1, 1865. 
George Tanner, Co. C; must, out July 28, 1865. 
Andrew West, Co. H ; must, out July 28, 1805. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

POUKTH AND FIFTH CAVALRY. 

Formation and First P^ieUl-Officcrs of Fourth Cavalry — The Branch 
County Company — Its First Offieer.s — The Regiment in Kentucky — 
Attacking anil Pursuing John Morgan — Services in Tennessee — 
Charging and Routing a Rebel Brigade in Mny, 1S6.3 — Numerous 
ConBicts — Victories and Defeats — Hard Service in AV'interof IS6.1 
-64 — The Georgia Campaign — Hard Fight at Lattimore's Mill — 
Following yood — Horses all worn out — Regiment Remounted — 
Attack on Selina — Charging and Capturing Intrenehments — Cap- 
ture of JeB'erson Davis — The Muster-out — List of Members — The 
Fifth Michigan Cavalry — Company M from Branch County — Off 
to Virginia — lis Engagements in ISfi.'i — Kilpatrick's Raid in March, 
lSfi4 — Dahlgron's Raid — In .Sheridan's E.Npedition in Way — Nu- 
merous other Conflicts — The Victory of Trevillian Station — In 
Front of Washington — Fight with Mosby — Other Combats of IStU 
— In Sheridan's Raid to the James — In the Final Struggle — The 
Grand Review — Sent to Fort Leavenworth — Some Men Transferred 
— Regiment Mustered Out — List of Officci sand Soldiers from Branch 
County. 

FOURTH CAVALRY. 

The raising of the 4th Micliigan Cavalry Regiment was 
aulhorizod in the early part ol' July, I8(i:i, a.s part of 
Michigan's quoU of eleven thousand si.x hundred and 
eighty-six meu to be furnished under the President's call 
for troops to retrieve the disa.stors of the Seven Days' 
battles before liiehuiond. The rendezvous of the 4th 
was established at Detroit, and the regiment having its 
ranks filled was there mustered for three years' service, on 
the 29th of August. Its field-officers were : Colonel, Rob- 
ert H. G. Miiity, promoted from lieutenant-colonel of the 
3d Michigan Cavalry ; Lieutenant-Colonel, William II. 
Dickinson ; Majoi-s, Josiah B. Park, Horace Gray, Joseph 
W. Houston. 

One of the companies (G) was furnished by Branch 
County, as were also about twenty-five men serving in sev- 



eral other companies of the regiment. The first officers of 
Company G were : Captain, Barber N. Sheldon, of Quincy ; 
First Lieutenant, Daniel Ducssler, of Quincy; Second 
Lieutenant, Julius i\L Carter, of Ovid. 

The regiment left Detroit on the 26th of September, and 
proceeded to the seat of war in Kentucky, by way of Louis- 
ville. Being fully armed, mounted, and e(|uipped, it was 
placed in active service without much dela}'. It was in the 
advance in the attack on the guerrillas of John Morgan at 
Stanford, Ky., and joined in the pursuit of those raiders to 
Crab Orchard. In the attack on Lebanon it also led the 
advance, charging into the town two inilea before the infan- 
try, driving out Morgan with an equal or superior force, 
and capturing a large amount of stores. On the 13th of 
December the regiment, by a Ibrced march, surprised and 
captured the pickets at Franklin, Tenn., driving out a 
large force of the enemy with heavy loss. It led the ex- 
treme advance to Murfreesboro', and, after the capture of 
that place, was engaged in numerous excursions, driving 
back the enemy's cavalry which infested the country, and 
capturing several hundred prisoners. 

In May, 18G3, followed by detachments of other regi- 
ments, the 4th led a gallant charge into the camp of three 
Confederate regiments of cavalry, routed them, and took 
fifty five prisoners and the colors of the 1st Alabama. 
AVhen the Army of the Cumberland advanced from Mur- 
freesboro' in June, the 4th was agtiin in the lead, and en- 
gaged in innumerable conflicts. It was always succes.sful 
until it reached the vicinity of Chattanooga, where it was 
several times driven back by the enemy. The season's 
service was so severe that on the 1st of November only 
about three hundred men were mounted. 

After constant service through the winter, mounted and 
dismounted, among the mountains of Southeastern Tennes- 
see, the regiment returned to Ntishville the last of March, 
where it received fresh horses and new equipments. It 
then returned to Sherman's army, which it accom])anied in 
the Georgia campaign, constantly engaged in the same 
kind of arduous service before described. Its hardest con- 
flict was on the 20th of June, at Lattimore's Mills, when 
with the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry it engaged three bri- 
gades of rebel cavalry. It twice charged the enemy with 
the sabre, and repulsed several charges made by them. 
Having finally fallen back to its supports it aided in meet- 
ing an attack by Gen. Wheeler's whole force, which was 
driven back with heavy loss. In this aft'air the regiment, 
which had about three hundred men {.resent, had thirty- 
seven killed and wounded. 

After the capture of Atlanta, the mounted men of the 
regiment followed Hood's army northward, nearl}' to the 
Tennes.see River, hara.-«ing his rear, capturing prisoners, 
etc. By this time all the horses but a hundred were 
again worn out. The.se were transferred to another com- 
mand, and the 4th was reunited on foot at Nxshville in 
October. It was remounted at Louisville, Ky., and by the 
last of January, 18C5, was at Gravelly Spring, Ala. 

Leaving there the 12th of March, it set out with other 
regiments on a long raid through Alabama, swimming rivers, 
building corduroy roads. .«cizing towns, capturing Forrest's 
artillery, and finally capturing the city of Selma, defended 



80 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



by very elaborate fortifications, and by at least seven thou- 
sand men under Gen. Forrest. At one point fifteen hundred 
dismounted cavalry, of which the 4th was a part, charged 
the intrenchments and captured them in twenty minutes, 
having had three hundred and twenty-four men killed and 
wounded. This was on the 2d of April. On the 20th, 
after numerous adventures, the command reached Macon, 
Ga., where the news of the surrender of the rebel arms 
caused the cessation of fiffhtinjir. 

The 4th, however, gained still another title to renown by 
capturing the rebel president, Jefferson Davis, near Abbe- 
ville, Ga., on the 10th of April, 1865. The regiment soon 
after marched to Nashville, where it was mustered out on 
the 1st of July, being disbanded at Detroit on the 10th. 
The list of its battles and skirmishes numbered ninety-four. 
Few of them, it is true, were very severe, but the number 
of them shows that the regiment was full of energy and 
valor. 

MEMBERS OF THE FOURTH CAVALRY FROM BRANCH COUNTY. 

Barber N. Sheldon, Quincy, capt.; enl. Aug. 13. 1862; maj., Aug. 23, 1863; 

wouuded in action at Kingaton, Ga., May 18, 1864; bvt. lieut.-coI., March 

13, 1865 ; must, out July 2, 1865. 
Daniel Duesler, Quincy, 1st lieut. ; enl. Aug. 13, 1S62; capt., Feb. 1, 1863; hon. 

disch. for disability, June 27, IBG^i. 
Julius M. Carter. Ovid, 2d lieut; enl. Aug. 13, 1S62; Ist lieut., Dec. 24, 1862; 

wounded in action at Kingston, Ga., May 18, 1864; capt., July 9, 1864; 

b%'t. maj., March 13, 1865; hon. diach. for disability, May 17, 1865. 
Henry D. Fields, Bronaon, 2d lieut.; enl. Aug. 13, 18C2; res. March 1, 1863. 
Jeremiah Duesler, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; eiil. Feb. 18, 1863; res. April 21, 1864. 
Henry A. Potter, Ovid, 2d lieut. ; enl. Feb. 16, 1863 ; 1st lieut., March 31, 1863 ; 

capt, Aug. 1, 1864 ; must, out July 1, 186.5, with regiment. 
Alfred Purinlou, Cohlwater, 2d lieut; enl, Aug. 1, 1864; 1st lieut., May 10, 

1865; must, out July 1, 1865, with regiment. 
Lorenzo J. Southwell, Ovid, 2d lieut; enl. Dec. 10, 1861; must, out July 1,1865, 

with regiment. 

Company G. 
Benj. F. Archer, must out July 1, 1865. 
Wm. G. Beebe, disch. for disability. 
Pliineaa Burkholder, discli. for disability. 
Wm. Burdick, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Sept. 30, 1863. 
Matthew N. Burdick, traus. to Vet. Res. Corps, May 15, 1864. 
Lewis R. Bridge, disch. by order, July 6, 1865. 

Matliew Brayton, died of disease, at Murfreesboio', Tenn., June 24, 1863. 
Milton Beesmer, died of di'^ease, at Nashville, Tenn., March 1, 1SG3. 
Wm. H. Bradford, must out July 1, 1863. 
Wm. H. Burt must, out July 1, 1863. 
Wm. E. Bradley, disch. for disability, Dec. 22, 1862. 
John Browers, disch. by order, June 19, 1865. 
John Cavanau^ih, disch. by order, July 14, 1865. 
Martin Cass, disch. for disability, March 8, 186 i. 
Charles Carter, died of disease at Murfreesboro", Tenn., Feb. 8, 1863. 
Ira L. Canfield, died of dii?ense at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 25, 1862. 
Henry Cusick, died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Feb. 7, 1864. 
Wm. Casselman, trans, to Vet Res. Corps, April 30, 1864. 
Aar'»n M. Chase, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, March 15, 1864. 
Martin Cloonau, must, out July 1, 1865. 
Jeremiah Cr.iig, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Winfield Day, died of disease at Quincy, Mich., May 20, 1S6I. 
Wm. Dobson, died of disease at Bridgeport, Ala., Nov. 17, 1863. 
Gamalia Dickinson, disch. for disability, Sept. 16, 1863. 
John Daggett disch. fur disability, Apr.l II, 1863. 
Howard Gaffney, died of disease at Springfield, Ky., Nov. 5, 1865. 
Kdwin E. Hungerford, died of disea-ie at Murfree.sboro\ Tenn., Feb. 17, 18G3. 
George W. Jones, died of disease at Murfreesboro', Tenn., June 8, 1863. 
Warren Leland, disch. for disability, Jan. 12, 1865. 
W'hittield Lampman, must out July 1, 1865. 

Ch-arles M. Magden, died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 18, 1863. 
William H. Mayden, died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 21, 1864. 
Francis Maguire, must, out July 1, 1865. 
George Myres, must, out July 1, 1865. 
John C. Nichols, must, out July 1, 1865. 
Henry Norton, disch. for disability, Nov. 1862. 
Joseph Qdren, disch. by order. 
James G. O'Brien, must, out July 1, lS6o. 
Joseph Perriri, must, out July 1, 18C5. 
Lewis Perrine, disch. for disability. May 4, 1863. 

Elin8 H. Prout, died of disease at Murfreesboro", T^nn., Feb. 27, 1863. 
William U. Prout, died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Maich lU, 1863. 



WDliam H. Palraeter, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Samuel Ruff, must, out July 1, 1865, 

Cary Reed, must, out July 1, 1805. 

Franklin Roundy, must, out July 1, 186.^. 

James Swarthout. died of disease at Murfreesboro', Tenn., Jan. 23, 1863. 

Robert T. Smith, died of disease at Murfreesboro', Tenn., July 10, 1863. 

John Skinner, discli. for disability, Feb. 6, 1863. 

John A. Skinner, must, out July 1, 18G5. 

William Swarthout, must out July 1, 1S65. 

John Sullivan, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Philetua Siggins, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Albert Stickney, disch. for disability, Feb. 16, 1863. 

Elias H. Scales, diach. for disability, March 3, 1863. 

William H. Thompson, disch. for disability, April 18, 1863. 

William Tra.sk, disch. for disability, Dec. 28, 1862. 

George II. Trask, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Jacob N. Trask, must out July 1, 1865. 

George W. Van Sickle, must, out July 1, 1865. 

GeH)rge Whaley, died of disease at Danville, Ky., Oct 25, 1862. 

William Wood, disch. for disability. May o, 1863. 

Elisha C. Williams, disch. for disability, Feb. 3, 1863. 

Oliver M. Wentworth, disch. for disability, March 27, 1863. 

W. R. Wentworth, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Henry Woudmaster, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Daniel H. Bush, Co. A ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, April 30, 1863. 

Benona Burch, Co. I ; died at Dallas, Ga., May 27, 18<i4, of wounds. 

Ambrose Burleson, Co. I ; died at Noonday Creek, Ga., June 20, 1864, of wouuds. 

John Bailey, Co. M ; died in Andersonville prison, July 3, 1864. 

Henry Cosier, Co. I ; disch. for disability, June 8, 1863. 

Zenas B. Cheney, N. C. S. ; disch. by order, Nov. 16, 1863. 

Aaron B. Fowell, Co. I ; disch. for disability, Jan. 12, 1864. 

Solomon Fosmith, Co. I ; must, out July 1, 1865. 

William Filkins, Co. K; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. 

J. V. T. Gauthouse, Co. I; missing in action at Selma, Ala., April 2, 1865. 

Henry S. Hewitt, Co. I; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 19, 1862. 

Charles W. Hartwell, Co. I ; disch. by order, July 21, 1865. 

Jerome B. Heth, Co. I ; must out July 1, 1865. 

Martin Hecathorn, Co. I ; must, out July 1, 1865. 

Orlando Hawley, Co. I; died at Lavergne, Tenn., Dec. 29, 1862, of wounds. 

James Ogden, Co. A ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, April 22, 1864. 

James Pope, Co. I; disch. for disability, Sept. 15, 1862. 

Thomas Reeves, Co. K ; died of disease at Nashville, April 23, 1864. 

William Simpson, Co. I ; must, out July 1, 1865. 

Ira C. Stockwell, Co. C ; must out July 1, 1865. 

Elbert Terril, Co. I; tnins. to Vet. Res. Corps, May 1, 1864. 

0. F. Underhill, Co. I ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, July 1, 1863. 

Pembroke A'andemark, Co. D ; must, out Aug. 15, 1865. 

John H. Williams, Co. I ; disch. for disability, Feb. 15, 1865. 

Edward H. Wood, Co. A ; trans, to. Vet. Res. Corps, Nov. 1, 1863. 



FIFTH CAVALRY. 

The 5th Michigan Cavalry Regiment was raised in the 
summer of 1862, under authority from the War Depart- 
ment and the Governor of the State to Joseph T. Cope- 
land, then lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Cavalry. The ren- 
dezvous of the regiment was at Detroit, where its organiza- 
tion was perfected,. and it was mustered into the service of 
the United States on the 30th of August, in the year 
named; the field-officers being as follows: Joseph T, 
Copeland, colonel; William D. Mann, lieutenant-colonel; 
Ebenezer Gould, Luther S. Trowbridge, Noah 11. Terry, 
majors. 

One company (M) was composed of Branch County 
men. Its officers when mustered were Smith H. Has- 
tings, of Coldwater, first lieutenant ; Andrew D. Hall, of 
Quincy, second lieutenant; the company at that time 
having no captain. 

For about three months after its muster the regiment 
remained at the rendezvous without receiving arms, and at 
the time of its departure for the seat of war the men had 
been but partially armed, though fully equipped. The 
command left Detroit for the front on the 4th of Decem- 
ber, 18G2, and proceeded to Washington, where it remained 
through the winter. In the spring of 1863, after having 
been fully armed, it was attached to the 2d Brigade of the 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



81 



3d Division of tlie Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. 
As it is impracticable to furnish a detailed account of its 
almost innumorablc marches, and constaiitly-changiu,!i move- 
ments and counter-movements during the campaign of 1863, 
we give in brief a list of the engagements with tlio enemy 
in which tiie regiment took part during tliat eventful year, 
namely: Hanover, Va., June 30; Hunterstown, Pa., July 
2 ; Gettysburg, Pa., July 3 ; Monterey, Md., July 4 ; 
Cavotown, Md., July 5; .Smithtown, Md., July (J ; 15oons- 
boro", Md., July (j; Hagerstown, Md., July 7 ; Williamsport, 
■ Md., July 7 ; Boonsboro', Md., July 8 ; Hagerstown, Md., 
July 10; Williamsport, Md., July 10; Falling Waters, 
Va., July 14; Snicker's Gap, Va., July 11) ; Kelly's Ford, 
Va., September 13; Culpeper Court-House, Va., Septem- 
ber 14; Raccoon Ford, Va., September 16; White's Ford, 
Va., September 21 ; Jack's Shop, Ya., September 26 ; 
James City, Va., October 12; Brandy Station, Va., Octo- 
ber 18; Buckland's Mills, Va., October 19; Stevensburg, 
Va., November 19; Morton's Ford, Va., November 26. 

At the close of the active operations of 1863, the 5th 
went into camp at Stevensburg, Va., passing the winter 
there, and in picket duty along the line of the Rapidan. 
About the 1st of March it took part m the raid of Gen. 
Kilpatrick to the defenses of Richmond, where it was 
attacked March 2 by the enemy in large force, and obliged 
to retire to New Kent Court-House, where it joined Gen. 
Butler. A detachment of the regiment had accompanied 
Col. Dahlgren in the famous raid in which he lost his life. 
It advanced to within five miles of Richmond and drove 
the enemy from his first and second lines of defense, but 
was finally compelled to retreat behind the Cliickahominy. 
At Old Church the body containing the detachment of the 
5th was attacked and compelled to cut its way to AV^hite 
House Landing, which was reached on the following day. 
On the 11th it embarked at Yorktown, moved by the York 
and Potomac Rivers to Alexandria, and thence to the camp 
at Stevensburg. It was then transferred from the 3d to 
the 1st Cavalry Division at Culpeper Court-House. 

The 5th took an active part in the famous campaign of 
Gen. Grant, in 1864. It crossed the Rapidan on the 5lh 
of May, and on the 6th and 7th was hotly engaged with 
the enemy in the Wilderness. It was in Sheridan's great 
cavalry expedition against the rebel communications ; fight- 
ing at Beaver Dam Station on the 9th of May, at Yellow 
Tavern on the 10th and 11th, and at Meadow Bridge on 
the 12th. On the 14th it cros,sed the Cliickahominy at 
Bottom's Bridge, marched thence to Malvern Hill, and 
from there to Hanover Court-House, destroying railroad 
track and bridges. It crossed the Paniunkey River at 
White House on the 22d ; and, marching by way of Ay- 
lett's and Concord Church, rejoined the Army of the Poto- 
mac, near Chesterfield, on the 25th. 

It was in the action at Hawes' Shop, May 28, at Balti- 
more Cro.ss-Road.s on the 29th, and at Cold Harbor and 
Old Church Tavern on the 30th. Again, on the raid along 
the line of the A'irginia Central Railroad, it fought at Tre- 
villian Station, June 11, where the enemy were driven 
several miles, leaving in the hands of the Union troops 
about six hundred prisoners, fifteen hundred hoi-ses, one 
stand of colors, six caissons, forty ambulances, and fifty 
11 



wagons. On the 12th it was engaged a few miles nearer 
Louisa Court-House on the Gordonsville Road, and, pass- 
ing thence towards the James River, cro.ssed that stream 
and marched to Jerusalem Plank-Road, south of Peters- 
burg. On the 4th of August it embarked for Washington, 
and moved thence through Maryland and acro.ss the Poto- 
mac, to Halltown and Berryville, Va. It fought at Win- 
chester on the 11th, and at Front Royal on the 16th of 
August. On the 19th a squadron of the regiment was 
attacked by Mosby's guerrillas, and was driven to the main 
body, with a loss of sixteen killed and mortally wounded. 
Among the subsequent engagements of the regiment during 
the valley campaign of 1864 were Leetowu and Shepards- 
town, Aug. 25 ; Opequan Creek, Aug. 28 ; Smithfield, 
Aug. 29 ; Berryville, Sept. 3 ; Summit, Sept. 4 ; Ope- 
quan, Sept. 19 (where it routed the enemy's cavalry, 
broke his infantry lines, captured two battle-flags and four 
hundred prisoners) ; Luray, Va., Sept. 24 (captured forty 
prisoners) ; Mount Crawford, Yn., Oct. 2 ; Woodstock, 
Oct. 9; Cedar Creek, Oct. 19 (capturing a large number 
of prisoners, and driving the enemy in great confusion) ; 
and Newtown, Nov. 12, where it fought an entire brigade 
of the enemy. 

After the last-named action, the regiment returned to 
Camp Ru.s.scll, near Winclioter, Va., whei'C it rcuiaiiu^d 
until Feb. 27, 1865, when it broke camp and moved south- 
east, as part of Sheridan's ibrce, on the famous raid of that 
general to the James River. It was engaged in action at 
Louisa Court-House, March 18, 1865, and, joiuing the 
Army of the Potomac before Petersburg, fought under 
Sheridan at Five Forks, Va., March 30 and 31, and April 
1. On the 2d of April it was engaged with the enemy on 
the Southside Railroad ; on the 4th at Duck Pond Mills; 
ou the 6th at Sailor's Creek ; and then took part in the 
closing events at Appomattox Court-House, from the 6th 
to the 9th of April, 1865. 

After the surrender of Lee the 5th moved with the 
Cavalry Corps to Petersburg, and was ordered thence, 
shortly afterwards, to North Carolina. It returned to Wash- 
iugtoTi, D. C, in time to participate in the grand review of 
the veteran armies of Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan, in 
the latter part of May. Immediately after this it was 
moved West with the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, by the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers, to St. Louis ; thence by steamer on the Missouri 
River to Fort Leavenworth, Mo. There the men having 
two years or more to serve were transferred to the 1st and 
7th Michigan Cavalry ; and then, on the 22d of June, the 
5th was mustered out of service. The regiment reached 
Detroit on the 1st of July, where the men received their 
pay and dispersed. 



MEMBKUS OF TUE FIFTH MlflllGAN CAVALRY FROM BRANCH 

COINTY. 

Andnw I). lluM, Qiiincy, 2d llpiit.; ciil. Aug. 14, ISfii; res. June 5, 1803. 
Sriiitlt 11. Iliuilings, Cohlwalor, 1st licilt.; eul. Aug. 14, 1SG2; capt, Jtili. 10, 

)8(Vl; wuiuuloil at TreviHiuii Statiun, Vii., June 12, 18G4 ; majur, Aug. 'J, 

1804; lieul.-col., Nov. UP, 1801; col., Dec. 17, 1864; must, out Juno 22, 

1805. 
Muili>iMl N. Bibbins, Culilwuter, 2<l lieul. ; cnl. March 4, 1864; Isl lieul., Aug. 

10, 1864 ; aij>t., Feb. 1, 186.*»; must, out June 22, 1805, with regiment. 
Aniiis liingbaru, yuincy, 2d lieut, lul. Oct. 2T, IStH ; l»t lieul., Fob. 1, 1866 

must. out June 22, ISO.'*, wiUi leginieiit. 



82 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



■William H. Hunt, Coldwater, 2d lieut. (as sergt.) ; must out June 22, 1865, with 

regiment. 
Henry M, Fox, Coldwater, 2d lieiit. (as sergt.}; must, out June 22, 1S65, with 

regimeut. 

Company M. 

"William Andrews, must, out June 19, 1S65. 

John Adams, dJsch. hy order, July 7, 18(i5. 

William H. Black, died of dist-ase at Washington, D. a, Aug. 13, 18G4. 

Levi Busley, missing in action at Richmoud, Va., March 2,18G4. 

Amos Bingham, disch. for promotion. 

Thomas Bingham, disch. hj' order. 

Henry Baiiies, must, out June 19, 1865. 

Matthew B. Burger, disch. for disability, March 3, 1865. 

Nathan C. Canfield. died of disease at Detroit, Dec. 3, 1862. 

Charles C. Craft, killed by guerrillas in skirmish at Berryville, Va.,Aug. 19, 

18G4. 
Peleg Canner, disch. for disability, May 23, 1863. 
Orrin D. Curtis, disch. by order, June 26, 1865. 
Sylvester T. Chase, must, out June 19, 1S65. 
Parmenio Cnsey, must, out June 19, lS6r». 
Peter M. Dubendorf, trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 
Charles A. Ford, must, out June 10, 18G5. 
Henry M. Fox, must, out June 19, 18G5. 
James A. Furgeson, must, out June 19,1865. 

Isaiah Fox, killed in skirmish by guerrillas at Berry ville, Va., Aug. 19, 18G4. 
John H. Gripman, died in Andereouville prison, April S, 18G4. 
Cliarles H. Goodrich, trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 
Arnold Goodman, disch. for disability, May 15, 1805. 
David Gibbiu", ninst. out June 19, 1865. 
Charles M. Hobbs, must, out June 19, ISe.""*. 
William H. Hunt, must, out June 19, 1865. 
Seymour H. Hogle, di.sch. for disability, Feb. 28, 18&3. 
William H. Harkness, died of disease at Annapolis, Md., Aiig. 2, 1863. 
Fernando A. Jones, must, out June 19, 1865. 
Stephen Keyser, disch. by order, Sept. 1, 1863. 
Fluette King, trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 

Charles Little, died in prison at Richmond, Va., April 28, 1864. 
Spencer Leigh, trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 

Zelotes Mather, died of disease ut Frederick, Md , Aug. 19, 1863. 
Calvin McCreery, diet! in action at Hawes' Shop, Va., May 28, 1864. 
William Milliman, trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 
William Marshall, trans, to 7tb Mich. Cav. 
Jonas H. McGowan, disch. for disability, Dec. 4, 1862. 
James Mills, must- out June 10, 1865. 
John R. Morey, captured in Dahlgren's raid around Richmond, Va. ; must, out 

June 19, 1865. 
Williaui Nivison, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, March 31, 1864. 
Robert B. Nivison, must, out June 19, 1865. 
Nesbit J. Nevel, must, out June 19, 1865. 

Edward S. Ogden, died in prison at Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 27, 1864. 
Isaac C. Osburn, killed in skirmish by guerrillas at Berryville, Va., Aug. 19, 

1864. 
Samuel I. Osburn, disch. by order, May 27, 1865. 
Ephraiin Oviatt, must, out June 19, 1865. 
John H. Pratt, must, out June 19, 18G5. 
E/.i-a Post, must, out June 19, 1865. 
P. M. Reynolds, must, out June 19, 1865. 

John A. Snyder, died in prison at Andersonville, Ga., Sept. 27, 1864. 
Squire E. Skeels, killed in skirmish by guerrillas at Berryville, Va., Aug. 19, 

1SG4, 
Howanl Simons, must, out July 24, 1865. 
AVm. F. Teachout, disch. by order, Aug. 11, 1865. 
Horace M. Tifft, missing in action at Richmond, Va. 
Albert I. Tifft. must, out June 19, 1865. 
Dexter B. Taylor, must, out June 19, 18&5. 
Charles Thompson, must, out June 19, 1865. 
Orim Van Gilder, ti-ans. to 7th Mich. Cav. 

M. L. Vicorj", killed in action at Smithfield, Va., Aug. 29, 1864. 
Hiram Vaukying, disch. for disability, Jan. 15, 1864. 
Wm. S. Van Giesou, disch. by order, July 5, 1865. 
Samuel K. Vandorker, must, out July 13, 1865. 

Francis M. Wright, died of disease at Baltimore, Md., Sept. 10, 18C4. 
Jarvis Watkins, died in action at Ti>ledo Tavern, Va., May 6, 1864. 
William H. Watkins, must, out June 19, 1865. 
Vincent Watkins, must, out June 19, 1865. 

George White, killed in skirmish by guerrillas at Berryville, Va., Aug. 19, 1864. 
H. C. Worthington, killed in skirmish by guerrillas at Berryville, Va., Aug. 19, 

1864. 
Milo Beard, Co. I ; trans, to 1st Mich. Cav. 
James Cobb, C-o. I; trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 
Edward Carr, Co. C ; trana. to 7th Mich. Cav. 
John Dennis, Co. G ; trans, to 1st Mich. Cav. 
Elisha Demorest, Co. I ; trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 
Jasper Eldred, Co. I ; trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 
Edward Fox, Co. G; trans, to 1st Mich. Cav. 
Michael Kanouse, Co. Cj trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 



Moses Eanouse, Co. C; trauB. to 7th Mich. Cav. 
Isitac Lake, Co. B; disch. by order, June 26, 1865. 
Charles H. Osterliout, Co. K ; trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 
Charles Prentiss, Co. G ; trana. to Ist Mich. Cav. 
James J. Peudill, Co. G ; trans, to 1st Mich. Cav. 
Lucius Stray, Co. G; traus. to Ist Mich. Cav. 
Minaid 0. Van Gilder, Co. L; trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 
Colbert Van Gieson, Co. L; trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 
George 0. Van Giesou, Co. L trans, to 7th Mich. Cav. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

EIGHTH, NIJJTH, AND ELEVENTH CAVALRY. 

Branch County in the 8th Cavalry — In Kentucky in 1863 — Chasing 
Morgan — Capturing Prisoners — To East Tennessee — Defeated at 
Athens — Skirmishing in the Valley — On Foot to Kentucky — Re- 
mounted — Joins Sherman — In the Atlanta Campaign — Drives tho 
Enemy from .Sherman's Flank — Surprised and Routed — Back to 
Nashville — Skirmishing with Hood — Consolidated with the 11th — 
Mustered out — Its Officers and Soldiers — Rendezvous of 9th Cav- 
alry at Coldwater — Company I from Branch County — To Ken- 
tucky in May, 1863 — Fight with Guerrillas — Divided, to Capture 
Morgan — Complete Success — Victory by every Detachment — With 
Burnside in East Tennessee — Brilliant Success at Cumberland Gap 
— Numerous Engigenients — Repulsed by Infantry — Dismounted 
and Remounted — Routing Morgan — Under Kilpatrick around At- 
lanta and down to the Sea — Battles and Skirmishes — Through the 
Carolinus — Other Engagements — To Baltimore and Home — Clus- 
tered out — List of Members — Branch County in the 11th Cav- 
alry — Scouting ill Kentucky — Defeating Morgan — Defeated at Salt- 
ville, Va. — Guerrilla Fighting in Tennessee — Routing Vaughn in 
Virginia — From Tennessee to South Carolina — Complete Success — 
A long Raid — Consolidated with the 8th Cavalry — Mustered out 
— List of Officers and Soldiers. 

EIGHTH CAVALRY. 

This regiment, the rendezvous of which was at Mount 
Clemens, did not take the field until May, ISlJS. During 
its service it contained about eighty men from Branch 
County, principally in Companies B, C, and M, with a few 
individuals scattered through Companies A, D, E, G, H, 
I, and L. Two of its captains — Henry L. Sillick and Eli- 
jah J. Devens — were of this county, the former being a 
resident of Quincy and the latter of Coldwater. The llev. 
Norman L. Otis, of Uniju City, was chaplain of the 8th 
during all the latter part of its term of service. 

Immediately on entering the field the regiment was 
placed on active duty in Kentuckj', and was one of the 
foremost in the pursuit of the guerrilla chief, John Mor- 
gan, through Indiana and Ohio. At length, overtaking 
him at Bufiington Island, O., it immediately attacked and 
routed his command, capturing two hundred and seventeen 
prisoners, besides killing and wounding a considerable num- 
ber. The regiment then proceeded to East Tennessee. At 
Calhoun and Athens, in that State, on the 20th and 27th 
of September, the brigade to which it belonged was de- 
feated and driven back by a large rebel force under Gens. 
Forrest and Wheeler, the 8th having forty-three killed and 
wounded and several missing. 

The regiment was very actively engaged marching and 
skirmishing up and down the Valley of the Tennessee until 
the forepart of February, 1864, when it turned over its 
horses to the quartermaster's department and marched on 
foot to Mount Sterling, Ky. It was there remounted, 
and in Juno joined Gen. Sherman's army at Big Shanty, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUxNTY, MICHIGAN. 



83 



Ga. As a part of the cavalry force under Gen. Stoneman, 
the 8th advanced towards Atlanta, covering the rii;ht of 
Sherman's command, and freciuently engaged with the 
enemy. The latter were usually forced to retire, but on 
the 3d of August, after the regiment had been cut off from 
the main force, and had cut its way through the enemy, 
after seven days and nights of continuous marching, with 
almost no sleep, it was surprised and routed, with the 
loss of two hundred and fifteen officers and men, mostly 
taken prisoners. Tiie remainder of the regiment wa-s cm- 
ployed on picket duty until the middle of September, when 
it was ordered to Kentucky, and then back to Na.shville. 

The 8th was engaged through the month of November 
in skirmishing with the cavalry advance of Hood's army, 
being .several times surrounded by the enemy, but always 
managing to cut its way out. After Hood was defeated at 
Franklin and Nashville, and driven out of Tennessee, this 
regiment had no service more severe than suppressing the 
guerrillas which still infested the country. In July the 
11th Cavalry was consolidated with the 8th, the combined 
regiment retaining the latter name. It was mustered out 
at Na.shville on the 22d of September, 1865, and disbanded 
at Jackson about the 30th. 

OFFICERS .^ND SOLDIERS OF THE EIGIITU CAVALRY FROM BRANCH 
COUNTY. 

Henry L, SeUick, Qiiiiicy, 2d liout. ; enl. Nov. 1, 1862 ; capt., Aug. 31, 18D3 ; res. 

Oct. 27, 180-1. 
Elijah J. Deveiia, Colclwator, capt. ; enl. Nov. 1, 1802 ; ro9. April 8, 1864. 
Smeilley Wilkinson, Quincy, lat lieut. ; enl. Nov. 1, 1862; res. Jan. 10, 1864. 
David Noteman, Coldwater, Ist lieut. ; enl. Nov. 1, 18G2 ; res. June 21, 1854. 
Walter Burritt, Coldwater, 2d lieut. ; enl. Nov. 1, 1863; res. Jan . 4, 1864. 
Charles 0. Twist, Coldwater, 2d iieut. ; enl. Aug. 31, 1863 ; res. Sept. It, 1864. 
Henry M. Burton, 2d lieut. ; enl. May 2, 1804; res. May 17, 1805. 
Horace Woodbridge, Coldwater, 2d lieut. ; enl. Jan. 8, 1865 ; lion, disch. July 20, 

18G5, on consolidation with 11th Cav. 
Norman L. Olis, Union City, chaplain, lion. diach.Sopt. 22, 1805, with regiment. 
Beujaniin C. Barnes, Co. I; must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 
George Biites, Co. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
William Ball, Co. B; disch. by order, June 18, 1865. 
Jacob Baker, Co. H ; must, out Oct. 9, ISGo. 

Fi'ancis Beedle, Co. M; died of disease at Aniiaptdii, Mtl., May 3, 1864. 
Cassiua Burritt, Co. M ; must, out Sept. 19, 1805. 
Hiram Blackmer, Co. B; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, May 1, 1864. 
William Beecher, Co. B; trans, to Vet. Res. Corp^, Jan. 15, 1804. 
William Buffington, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Walter Bcsemer, Co. B ; disch. by order, July 20, 1865. 
David W. Burring, Co. M; must, out Sept. 29, 1805. 
Aretus Corwin, Co. M; disch. for disability, March 20, 1865. 
Jeremiah Coleman, Co. B; died of disease at KnoxviUe, Tenn., Nov. 27, 1863. 
John U. Chivois, Co. E; must, out .Sept. 22, 1805. 
James C. Church. Co. B; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. 15, 1804. 
Benj. F. Clark, Co. B; must, out June 10, 1865. 
Stephen Combs, Co. B ; disch. June 12, 1865. 
Alexander Fisk, Co. B; died of disease, 1864. 
George Fmikliii, ('o. M; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Nov. 1, 1863. 
William Filson, Co. B; died of disease at <'amp Nelson, Ky,, Dec. 16, 1863. 
Lewis R. Foot, Co. B; killed by explosion of steamer on Mississippi River, 

April 15, 1805. 
William J. Foster, Co. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
George Garboll, Co. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Francis lladley, Co. M ; disch. for disability, April 2S, 186-1. 
Enos B. lladley, Co. M; must, out May 22, 1805. 
Julius noUf;ht;iling, Co. L; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Horace W. Hunt, Co. B ; must, out May 15, 1805. 
Peter W. Hughes, Co. M; disch. for disability. 
Vernon C. Howe, Co. M; disch. for disibility, Nov. 24, 1801. 
Julius Henry, Co. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
Edwin J. n.ill, Co. B ; disch. by order, Sept. 7, 1865. 
Francis Jerome, Co. B; missing in raid on Macon, Ga., Aug. 3, 1864. 
James Kubeck, Co. C ; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 

Jonathan Lossing, Co. B ; dieil in Andersonvillo prison, March 29, 1864. 
Thomas J. Lossiug, f!o. B; must, out June 13, 1865. 
Eriutus J. Lewis, ('o. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 
John M. Laiidon, Co. C; must, out Oct. 10, 1805. 
James Lowrer, Co. M; disch, for disability, March 20, 1865. 



William McKinney, Co. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 

Edward C. McDaniols, Co. B; disch. June 0, 1805. 

David Miisselman, Co. H; must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 

Reuben T. Mathews, Co. M. 

Anson W. Jlerritt, Co. B; must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 

Henry C. Norton, Co. B; killed by explosion of steamer, April 15, 1865. 

Mortimer J. Nash, Co. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 

William Newman, Co. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1855. 

E.lgar T. Ornisby, Co. M ; disch. for disaljility, Oct. 13, 1804. 

John B. Parkinson, Ca}. B; disch. for disability, Oct. 19, 1863. 

Henry N. Perrine, Co. B. 

William Powers, Co. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 

Eliphalet Pago, Co. B ; disch. by order, Sept. 7, 1865. 

J. A. Rustiue, Co. B; died of disease at Knoxville, Tenn., March 21, 1864. 

John W. Rogers, Co. B; must, out June 10, 1805. 

Elias Rose, Co. B; must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 

L. B. Robbius, C». B; must, out June 10, 1865. 

John Smith, Co. B; died of disease at Lexington, Ky., April 10, 1804. 

George Smith, Co. B; missing in action at Heriryville, Tenn., Nov. 23, 1863. 

Samuel Spencer, Co. B; died of disease at Camp Nelson, Ky., Dec. 16, 1863. 

Charles Sutherland, Co. C; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 

Erwiii Splitstone, Co. A ; die<l of disease at Pulaski, Tenn., Nov. 18, 1804. 

Charles G. Seabiiry, Co. B ; must, out Juno 15, 1805. 

Cyrus H. Spatford, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 22, 1805. 

Calvin E. Se.aniuns, Co. D ; must. out. Sept. 22, 1805. 

David A. Varnum, Co. B; must, nut Sept. 22, 1805. 

.Ammon 0. Wood, Co. M ; died at An<lersonville prison, Sept. 8, 1804. 

Oliver M. Wentworth, Co. C; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Aug. 1864. 

John Weller, Co. B; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, May 1, 1864. 

Charles Wright, Co. B; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps Jan. 15, 1804. 

Sanford E. Wood, Co. B; discharged. 

Manly C. White, Co. B; disch. by order, Juno 15, 1805. 

Lewis C. Wheeler, Co. C; must, out Sept. 2-2, 1805. 

0. II. Woodwortb, Co. M ; disch. for promotion, Sept. 13, 1864. 

Selh Whitten, Co. M ; disch. for disability, Feb. 18, 1865. 

Jonathan Wilson, Co. M; disch. for disability, April 2, 1805. 

William J. Young, Co. C ; must, out Sept. 22, 1865. 

Charles \. Zininieruian, Co. G ; must, out Oct. 10, 1805. 

NINTH CAVALRY. 

This regiment had its rendezvous at the city of Cold- 
water, and its formation was commenced there in the 
autumn of 18G2. One company (I) was largely recruited 
in Branch County by its first captain, Jonas H. McGowan, 
of Coldwater. Capt. Otis H. Gillman, of Company K, 
was also a resident of Coldw.iter, and men of Branch 
County were found serving in nearly all the companies. 

The regiment, except two incomplete companies, left the 
rendezvous about May 20, 1863, and moved to Louisville, 
Ky., and thence to Hickman's Bridge. On the 12th of 
June it was ordered in pur,«uit of Everett's guerrillas, and 
engaged them at Triplett's Bridge, capturing a considerable 
number. July 4 it joined in the pursuit of Morgan's 
guerrilla forces, following them through Kentucky, fighting 
their rear-guard at Lebanon, and capturing a lieutenant- 
colonel and fifty prisoners. At Westport, Ky.,on the 12th 
of July, the regiment was divided into three parts. One 
detachment, proceeding by river to Cincinnati, joined Gen. 
Hobson's forces, who pursued and overtook Morgan's force 
at Buffington's Island, in the Ohio River, and there cap- 
tured five hundred prisoners, with three pieces of artillery 
and a large number of small-arms. Another portion took 
boats at Lawrenceburg, Ky., on the 1-lth, went to Ports- 
mouth, Ohio, landed, pursued the enemy towards Chester, 
Meigs Co., Ohio, overtook him, and captured a part of hLs 
force; and then, joining Gen. Shackleford's command, at 
Buffington's Island, marched to Eight-Mile Island, where 
the foe was again engaged, and more than a thous;ind 
prisoners captured. The reniaiuing part of the regiment 
received orders on the 24th to join the pursuit of the por- 
tion of Morgan's forces which had escaped capture at 
Buffington's Island. Under these orders the detachment 



84 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



moved by railway to Mitigo Junction, on the Ohio River; 
and, marching thence towards Steubenviile, overtook the 
enemy near that town on the 25th of July, skiruiislied 
with him during the night, and in the morning forced an 
engagement which resulted in the rout of the rebel raiders, 
with a loss of sixty-seven killed and wounded, and three 
hundred and five prisoners ; this being almost double the 
number of men in the attacking Union force. 

After this expedition the detachments were reunited at 
Covington, Ky., and the regiment joined Gen. Burnside's 
expedition to East Tennessee ; engaging the enemy at Lou- 
don, September 2, and reaching Knoxville on the 3d. 
Making little or no stop there, it marched on to Cumber- 
land Gap, where it took part in the movements which re- 
sulted (September 8) in the surrender of the enemy's force 
at that point, consisting of two thousand five hundred men 
with fourteen pieces of artillery. The 9th was engaged 
with the enemy at Carter's Station, September 21 ; at Zol- 
licoiFer, on the 25th ; at Leesburg, on the 29th ; at Blue 
Springs, October 5 and 10 ; and at Rheatown, on the 11th. 
After this it was encamped at Henderson Station for some 
time, engaged in scouting and cavalry picket duty. On 
the 6th of November it moved towards Knoxville, skir- 
mishing with the enemy at Clinch Mountain on the 7th, 
and was engaged in a sharp fight, two miles from Moores- 
town, on the 10th. At Bean's Station, on the 14th, it was 
attacked and driven towards Rutledge. From this time 
until the 15tli of January it was almost constantly engaged 
in skirmishing, scouting, and most fatiguing picket duty. 
On the 16th it moved from Dandridge towards Bull Gap, 
encountered the enemy's infantry in heavy force at Kins- 
bro's Cross-Roads, and was repulsed with a loss of thirty- 
two killed, wounded, and missing. From that field it re- 
tired by way of Strawberry Plains to Knoxville ; reaching 
that place with two-thirds of its men dismounted ; the 
horses having been worn out by reason of the severity of 
the duty on which they had been engaged. 

The regiment returned to Kentucky to be re-equipped, 
and was in camp at Nicholasville in that State through the 
month of May, 1864. On the 8th of June it was once 
more moved in pursuit of its old antagonist, John Morgan, 
whose forces it encountered at Cynthiana at four o'clock in 
the morning of the 12th, routing them and taking one hun- 
dred and ten prisoners. It continued the pursuit until 
Morgan entered the mountains, and then the 9th returned 
to Nicholasville, where it remained until July, when it 
moved southward to join the army of Gen. Sherman. It 
reached the vicinity of Atlanta on the 8th of August, and 
on the 9th joined the Cavalry Division under Kilpatrick, 
with whom it was employed in the operations around At- 
lanta, till the fall of the city, and afterwards in the great 
march to the sea. It was engaged at Stone Mountain, Ga., 
Sept. 13, 1864; at Lovejoy's Station, November 16; at 
Clinton, Ga., November 19 ; at Griswoldville, November 20 ; 
at Macon, November 21 ; at Milledgeville, November 24; 
at Louisville, November 20 ; at Waynesboro', November 
28 and December 4 ;* at Cypress Swamp, December 7 ; near 

^On this occasion it charged with the sabre, taliing four hundred 
prisoners, and for its galhintry received special notice in Gen. Sher- 
man's report to the War Bepartment. 



Savannah, December 9 ; Arnold's Plantation, December 11 ; 
and at Altamaha Bridge, December 17. 

From December 18 it remained camped near Savannah 
until Jan. 27, 1865, when, with its division, it started on 
the Carolina campaign, crossing the Savannah River into 
South Carolina at Lister's Ferry on the 3d of February. 
In its progress through South and North Carolina, the regi- 
ment was engaged in the following fights and skirmishers: 
at Salkehatchie, S. C, February ; White Pond, February 
9; Aiken, S. C, February 11 ; Lexington, February 15; 
Broad River Bridge, S. C, February 17 ; Phillips' Cross- 
Roads, N. C, March 4; Wad&sboro', N. C, March 5; 
Solemn Grove, N. C, March 10 ; Averysboro', N. C. (gen- 
eral engagement), March 15 ; Bentonville, N. C. (general 
engagement), March 20 and 21 ; Raleigh and Smithfield 
Railroad, N. C, April 11 ; Raleigh, N. C, April 12 ; Mor- 
risville, N. C., April 13, 1865 ; the last-named fight result- 
ing in the surrender of Raleigh to Kilpatrick. Resuming 
the march, on the 14th the 9th moved by way of Chapel 
Hill (where the news of Lee's surrender was received), 
Hillsboro', Greensboro', and Lexington to Concord, where it 
encamped on the 14th of May, and where it was mustered 
out of service, July 21. It marched thence to Lexington, 
where it took railway transportation to City Point, Va., 
thence by river and bay to Baltimore, and then by rail to 
Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, and Jackson, where it arrived 
on the 30tb of July, and was paid and disbanded. It has 
been stated (and thei'e is no reason to doubt the assertion) 
that the last hostile shot in the great Rebellion, east of the 
Mississippi, was fired by the 9th Michigan Cavalry. 

MEMBERS OF THE NINTH C.WALRY FROM BRANCH COONTV. 

Jonas H. McGowan, Coldwater, ca]it. ; enl. Nov. 3, 1862 ; res. Jan. 27, 1864. 
Otis n. Gillnm, Coldwater, capt ; enl. Nov. 3, 1862 ; res. March 11, 1864. 
Smith W. Fifik, Coldwater, 1st lieut. ; enl. Nov. 3, 1S62 ; wounded in a skirmish 

with Morg-an's raiders at Salineville, 0., July 2G, 1863; disch. for disa- 
bility, Nov. 6, 1863. 
John D. Smalls, California, 2d lient. ; enl. Dec. 29, 1863 ; 1st lieut., March 15, 

1864; must, out July 21, 1865, with regiment. 
Charles H. Smith, Girard, 2d lieut.; enl. March 27, 1S63; 1st lieut., J.-in. 17, 

18(54 ; capt., Aug. 19, 1865 ; must, out July 21, 1865, with regiment. 
Beuton T. Russell, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. as sergt., Feb. 27, 1865; must, out 

July 21, 1865, with regiment. 
George W. Howard, 2d lieut. ; enl. as sergt., Oct. 26, 1864 ; must, out July 21, 

1865, with regiment. 
Alfred K. Miller, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. as sergt., June 27, 1865; must, out 

July 21, 1865, with regiment. 
Milton Allen, Co. C; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 2, 1864. 
Samuel Allman, Co. B; must, out June 12, 1865. 

Alexander Black, Co, K ; killed in action at Stone MouDtaiD,Ga., Oct. 2, 1864. 
James Ballard, Co. D ; died of disease at Camp Nelson, Ky., April 2.3, 1864. 
Lyman Bates, Co. K ; died of disease at Knoxville, Tenn., Jan. 19, 1864. 
Ashael L. Baiid, Co. G ; disch. for disability, Feb. 23, 1861. 
George R. Bennett, Co. K ; disch. for disability, March 16, 1864. 
Warren E. Bills, Co. B; must, out July 21, 1865. 
Benjamiu F. Belden, Co. A; must, out July 21, 1865. 
George \V. Bartram, Co. K ; must, out June 21, 1865. 
Warren A. Blye, Co. I; disch. for dis.ability, June 1, 1865. 
Stanley Bidwell, Co. I; disch. for disability, June 1, 1865. 
Geoige Blair, Co. I ; must, out June 12, 1865. 
Zebulon Birch, Co. I; must, out July 21, 1S65. 

reter B. Case, Co. I; died of dispiise at Camp Nelson, Ky., May 14, 1864. 
Rice W. Ciiapman, Co. I ; mu.st. out July 21, 1865. 
Louis Crecr, Co. I ; must, out July 21, 1865. 
Collins W. Cutter, Co. L; must, out Aug. 14, 1865. 

Charles Degalier, Co. B; died of disease at Kno.\ville, Teun., March 13, 1864. 
Benjamin Duck, Co. L; trans, to Vet. Res. Coi-ps, Jan. 15. 
Wm. R. Dunn, Co. I; missing in action, March 12, 1865. 
Charles Drake, Co. I ; disch. for disability, April, 1863. 
Jeremiah Depue, Co. I ; must, out July 21, 1865. 
Alphonzo Dawson, Co. K ; must, out July 21, 1865. 
John Dawson, Co. K; must, out July 21, 1865. 
William Danton, Co. H ; must, out July 21, 1S65. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



85 



Allwrt E. Evans, Cu. K ; inUDt. out Juno 7, 1865. 

Diinii>l Kmiicis, Cu. II ; iiiil8t. out July 2t, 18G.'). 

DaviJ Franklin, d. G. 

I'liilip Fonda, Co. I ; <)i«cli. for dinnWlity, Fob. 29, 1SC4. 

John FishiT, Co. I; iliscli. fur iliaability, Ui'C. I", ISM. 

Jainos Fttzg«raUI, N. C. S. ; must, out July 21, 18G.'>. 

Jackson Gillani, Co. I ; liiod v( disease at Kiioxvfllo, Tcnn., Dec. 1863. 

Ileury G. Goode, Co. B; must, out .fuly 21, 18G5. 

Hiram Ilulsi, Co. I; dii^d cif iliscaw at Knoxvilli', Tonn, Dec. 18C3. 

Williiini \. Ilurklus, C... II; must, out July 21, 18C5. 

Kugcni- llillui-d, Co. E; must, out July 21, ISM. 

Jolin A. Uoluu'S, Co. E; must, out July 21, 18GS. 

Gcoigi' F. Hai tzpll, Co. L ; must, out July 21, 1805. 

William S. Hopkins, Co. K ; must, out July 21, 18G5. 

John Hiverly, Co. K; must, out July 21, tSG.'i. 

Francis M. Jones, Co. IJ ; must, out July 21, ISC'). 

Ira G. Kiune, Co. I; must, out July 21, 1865. 

Oliver Lapier, Co. B ; must, out July 21, 1865. 

KranciM l.ii lionte, Co. F ; must, out July 21, ISfti. 

Robert G. Long, Co. I ; must, out July 21, 186.5. 

Martin Lockwood, Co. I ; must, out July 21, 1865. 

Fred Miller, Co. D; discli. for disability. 

Jolm T. Qlerriss, Co. I: disch. for disability. 

E. D. SIcGowan, Co. I ; ilisch. by order, July 25, 1864. 
George Moon, Co. I; missing in action. 

John E. McCarty, Co. L ; must, out July 21, 1863. 

Alfred K. Miller, Co. L; must, out July 21, 1805. 

Jolin Mcl'bail, Co. E; must, out Miiy 29, 186.'). 

William II. Jloorc, Co. K; must, out June 12,1865. 

Elias Michael, Co. I ; must, out July 21, 1805. 

David F. Misener, Co. I ; must, out July 5, 1865. 

Nelson U. Nye, Co. E; must, out July 21, 1865. 

David Nelson, Co. I ; must, out July 21, 1865. 

Henry I. Ogdon, Co. I; must, out June 12, 1865. 

Isaac W. Pierce, Co. E; must, out June 12, 1865. 

William H. Rose, Co. I ; must, out July 21, 1865. 

Joseph Robinson, Co. E; must, out June 12, 1SG5. 

Henry Rynder, Co. F; trans, to lltli Mich. Bait., May S, 18G.X 

William Rowley, Co. F; trans, to lltb Mich. Bait., May 8, 18G3. 

W. W. Scott, Co. K; died of disease at Covington, Ky., July 26, 1864. 

James Stiibbs, Co. L; died in Ander.sonville prison, July 15, 1864. 

Thomas Sudboro, Co. L ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. 15, 1864. 

Erastiis L. Smith, Co. I; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. 15, 1864. 

Samuel S. .Smith, Co. K ; trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Jan. 15, 1864. 

Jactib Shirnerly, Co. I; tmns. to Vet, Res. Corps, Jan. 15, 1864. 

John A. Smith, Co. A; must, out July 21, 1865. 

George .Selleck, Co. E; must, out July 21, 1805. 

Luther W. Smith, Co. K ; must, out July 21, 1865. 

Jephtha Siuipeon, Co. K ; must, out July 21, 1865. 

James D. Studley, Co. I ; must, out July 21, 1865. 

Jesse Taft, Co, I; must out July 21, 186.5. 

Hazel Tyrrell, Co. K; must, out July 21, 1865. 

George W. Thayer, Co. H; died of disease at Knoxville, Tenn,, July 6, 1864. 

George W. 'ihiiyer, Co. B; must, out July 21, 1865. 

John L'hlni, Co. I; must, out .Inly 21, 1865. 

F. Vaiiderhoof, Co. G; died of disease at Nashville, Tenn,, April, 1864. 
John H. Wells, Co. F; disch, for disability, June 14, 1865. 
Benjamin Wilkins, Co. K ; must, out July 21, 1865. 

Benj. F. Wilder, Co. I ; mnst. out Jan. 23, 1865. 
Aug. Weulworth, Co. I; must, out July 21, 1865. 

ELEVENTU CAVALRY. 

This regiment contained about thirty men from Branch 
County, all of whom, with the exception of two or three, 
were members of Company M. The regiment was or- 
ganized at Kalamazoo, and left that rendezvous in Decem- 
ber,. 18li3, for the scene of war in the Southwest. 

After scouting in Kcntueky about six months, the 11th 
came in collision with the noted rebel cavalry leader, John 
H. Morgan, at Mount Sterling, and after a sharp action 
utterly routed his command. On the 12th of June it came 
up with the remainder of his force at Cynthiana, and again 
the sous of chivalry were compelled to fly before the men 
of Michigan. In the latter part of September, 1864, the 
regiment moved with its division on a long and tedious raid 
over the mouutains to Sallville, Virginia. The place wa.s 
found to be fortified and well defended by a large force 
under General Breckinridge. The attack failed, and the 
command returned (o Kentucky. 



In the latter part of November the I I th was ordered to 
East Tennessee, wliere it was engaged in the usual fighting 
with guerillas and rebel cavalry until the middle of Janu- 
ary, 1865, when it inarched with General Stoneman on an 
important raid into Virginia. On the 16th of January it 
fought with V^auglm's Brigade all day near Abington, 
Va., completely routing it and capturing all its artillery 
and two hundred and fifty men. After defeating Breckin- 
ridge's infantry, destroying the salt-works at Saltvillc, burn- 
ing an arsenal, and capturing a large quantity of supplies 
and artillery, the command passed over the mountains into 
Kentucky, three-fourths of the horses being worn out and 
the men dismounted. 

In the early part of March the regiment, with new 
hoi'ses, again went to East Tennessee, and joined another 
exjiedition of General Stoneman into North Carolina. At 
Salisbury, in that State, on the 12th of April, the command 
defeated a large force of the enemy, capturing eighteen 
hundred prisoners and twenty-two pieces of artillery. It 
then pas.sed on through South Carolina into Georgia, and 
on the 1 1 th of May captured the cavalry escort of JeflFer- 
son Davis near Wa.shington, Georgia. It then went back 
through South Carolina to East Tennessee. 

On the 20th of July, the 11th was consolidated with the 
8th Michigan Cavalry, taking the name of the latter regi- 
ment. The consolidated regiment was mustered out in 
September, as already narrated. 

MEMBERS OF THE ELEVENTH CAVALRY FROM BRANCH COUNTY. 
Abram E, Slowell, Coldwator, 1st lieut.; enl. Aug. 1, 1863 ; res. Nov. 14, 1865. 
Martin S. Perkins, Coldwater, 23 lieut. ; enl. Aug. 1, 1803; res. June 18, 1865. 
Edwin R. Bovee, Co. M. 
William E. Burtless, Co. M. 
Edward Bates, Co. M ; trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
David Blass, Co. M ; trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
Charles S. Dunn, Co. A ; disch. by order, July 12, 1865. 
William J, Foster, Co. M ; trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
Thomas B, Fulcher, Co. M ; disch, by order, Aug. 10, 1865. 
Otto Gould, Co. M ; disch. by order, July 12, 1865. 
George Garboll, Co. BI ; trans, to Sth Mich. Cav. 
John W. Hulburt, Co. M ; trans, to Sih Mich. Cav. 
Thomas Howe, Co. M ; disch. by order, Aug. 10, 1865. 
Julius Henry, Co. M ; trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
James Kubeck, Co. 31 ; trans, to Sth Slich, Cav, 
George H, Kimball, Co. M ; disch. by order, July 12, 1865. 
James Loomis, Co. M ; must, out Sept. 11, 1865. 
Erastus J. Lewis, Co, BI ; trans, to 8tli Blich. Cav. 
John M. Landon, Co. M ; trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
James C. Moslier, Co. L; disch. for promotion. 
Mortimer J. Xash, Co. M ; trans, to sth Blich. Cav. 
William Newman, Co. M ; trans, to Sth Mich. Cav. 
William Powers, Co. M; trans, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
Wesley Preston, Co. M ; trans, to 8th Mii-h. Cav. 
Charles Sutherland, Co. M ; tmns, to 8th Mich. Cav. 
David Sidler. Co. M ; trans, to Sth Blich. Cav. 
H. C. Thompson, Co. M ; must, out June 12, 1865. 
Lewis 0, Wheeler, Co. M ; trans, to 8th Mich, Cav. 
Oliver M. Wentworth, Co. M ; tmns, to Sth Mich. Cav. 
William J. Young, Co. M; trans, to Sth Mich. Cav. 
Charles Zimmerman, Co. A; trans, to Sth Mich. Cav. 



CHAPTER XX. 

BATTERir A, FIRST LIGHT ARTILLERY.* 

Its Common Xamc — Its Formation — Called the Coldwater Liglit Ar- 
tillery — Guns recciveil at Detroit — Two-Thirds Volunteer for Three 
Years — Ranks Filled — Muster-in — First Officers — Goes to the 

* Its first olTicial designation was that of "1st Michigan Battery." 
Six batteries were raised in Michigan in 1S6T-62, being nninbered 
respectively from one to 8i.\. In the latter part of 1863 six more 



86 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTr, MICHIGAN. 



Front — Scene in Cincinnati — " Stick to Coldwater" — Sent to West 
Virginia — Rich Mountain — Receives Ten-Pound Parrotts — Battles 
of Elkwater and Greenbrier — Useless Preparations — Selected for 
Important Dutj — The Advance under Gen. Mitchell — The First 
Shot at Bowling Green — A Forced March — Advance to Huntsville, 
Ala. — Important Capture — Success at Bridgeport — Back to Louis- 
ville — Good service at Perryville — In the battle of Stone River — 
Victory at Hoover's Gap — Defeat at Chickamauga — Five Guns 
Lost — At Chattanooga till end of War — List of Members. 

This battery was almost universally knowo and men- 
tioned by the name of its first captain, " Loomis' Battery." 
Its formation was commenced very soon after the issuance 
of the President's first call for troops, on the 15th of April, 

1861. It was composed very largely of Branch County 
men, its nucleus being an artillery company (so called) 
which had been in existence in Coldwater for some time 
before the commencement of the war, under command of 
Capt. John W. Culp. The recruiting of this company up 
to the required number was an easy task at that time, and 
was accomplished in a few days. Immediately afterwards, 
the men and officers of the " Coldwater Light Artillery" 
as they had named themselves, left Coldwater for their de- 
signated rendezvous at Detroit, there to be organized and 
drilled for a term of service of (as they then believed) 
three months' duration, like that of the 1st Michigan In- 
fantry. 

On reaching Detroit the men of the battery made their 
first halt at the fair grounds, and in the same evening were 
most ho.spitably entertained at the Michigan Exchange 
Hotel. Soon after, they were marched to the fort (Wayne) 
near the city, for drill, military instruction, and practice 
under Lieut. Smith, a West Point officer, who had been 
assigned to that special duty. They here received their 
equipment of guns, — six indifferent brass six-pounders, in- 
cluding the one which they had previously used while re- 
cruiting at Coldwater, — all being the property of the State, 
and a part of its artillery armament, which then consisted, 
all told, of eighteen guns ; the other twelve of which, ac- 
cording to the report of Quartermaster-Gen. Fountain for 

1862, were supjiosed to be distributed among various towns 
and cities of the State. He says : " Our twelve remaining 
brass cannon might be collected together and rifled at an 
expense of about sixty dollars each." Certain it was, that 
without such alteration they were well-nigh worthless, and 
even with it they could by no means be made good and 
serviceable pieces. The harnesses furnished to the battery 
were also incomplete and inferior in nearly every essential 
particular, but there was a full complement of excellent 
horses, purchased expressly for the use of the battery in 
Branch County. 

Early in May it was announced that the United States 
would accept the battery only on condition that the enlist- 
ments were made for a period of three years, and that such 
as declined to accept these conditions would be discharged, 
and left at liberty to return to their homes. Under these 

were raised ; the whole being officially considered as the 1st Regiment 

of Michigan Light Artillery ; the batteries being designated by letters 
from A to M inclusive (omitting J). 

In fact, however, the batteries still operated separately, the field- 
officers being assigned to staff duty. It is, therefore, impossible to 
give a connected history of the regiment, but separate sketches are 
furnished of those batteries which were largely from Branch County. 



circumstances about one-third of the men and some of the 
prospective oflScors withdrew. The ranks were very soon 
recruited to their full strength, and the battery was mus- 
tered into the United States service by Lieut.-Col. E. 
Backus, U. S. A., for three years from May 25-28, 1861. 

The wishes of the men were consulted in the selection of 
officers, and the following, recommended to the Governor, 
were duly commissioned : 

Cyrus 0. Loomis, captain ; Charles A. Edmunds, Otis 
H. Gillam, first lieutenants; Roland Root, Robert G. 
Chandler, second lieutenants. 

The " Coldwater Light Artillery" (afterwards designated 
as the " First Michigan Battery,' and later as " Battery 
A, First Michigan Artillery") left Detroit, one hundred 
and twenty-three strong, on the 1st of June, and proceeded 
by rail for Cincinnati, where they arrived in the forenoon 
of Sunday, while the good people of that city were pre- 
paring for church services. Infantry troops, on their way 
to the seat of war, had already passed through the city, but 
no artillery had been seen there ; and- as the command, 
with its grim guns and other imposing paraphernalia, 
moved through the streets, it was an object of great curi- 
osity. In the patriotic excitement of the occasion the 
people neglected the call of the church-bells, and congre- 
gated by thousands along the thoroughfares to gaze upon 
the novel and warlike spectacle. Especially was the ad- 
miration of hundreds of total-abstinence men and women 
manifested at sight of the magic word " Coldwater," painted 
on the caissons and limber-chests, for they believed it to be 
an exponent of the strict temperance principles of the mem- 
bers of the battery. A benevolent-looking gentleman, 
evidently a clergyman, addressed one of the officers, and, 
with pride and pleasure written all over his features, as he 
pointed to the inscription, said, " That's right, boys; keep 
clear of whisky and stick to cold wafer! That and pa- 
triotism will take you through." The advice was excellent, 
but perhaps the battery boys temporarily forgot it after- 
wards in the smoke and dust of Perryville and Chicka- 
mauga. 

From Cincinnati the battery was moved by rail to Camp 
Dennison, being the first artillery command which arrived 
at that famous rendezvous. Several days later, it was 
moved by railroad to Marietta, Ohio, being greeted with 
great enthusiasm along the entire route, but particularly at 
Chillicothe and Marietta. Prom the latter place it was 
moved by steamboat down the Ohio to Parkensburg, W. 
Va., and thence (after an encampment of a few days) pro- 
ceeded by rail to Clarksburg, W. Va., where, with two or 
three Indiana infantry regiments, it was posted on the 
heights commanding the town and its approaches. After 
a short stay at this place, the command moved to Buck- 
hannon, where a large body of Union troops were found 
concentrated, and where the men of the battery first saw 
Maj.-Gen. George B. McClellan. Here also, during theur 
stay of one or two weeks, they received their first inspec- 
tion, July 4, 1861, the inspecting officer being Brig.-Gen. 
Sill, who was afterwards killed at Stone River. 

On or about the 8th the battery moved with other 
troops towards Rich Mountain, a part of the Laurel Hill 
range, which is there cut by a defile through which passes 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



87 



the Staunton and Western turnpike. On tlic west slope 
of this mountain a force of the enouy, about three thou- 
sand strong, was intrenched in heavy earthworks, and it 
was against this force that the army of Gen. McCIellan was 
moving. As the}' drew near the mountain in the afternoon 
of the lOtli of July, the pickets of the enemy were encoun- 
tered, and in a skirmish with them a man of the 9lh Ohio 
Regiment was killed. This was the first bloodshed seen 
by the soldiers of the battery. Early the next morning 
the battle of Rich Mountain was commeuced and fought 
by Gen. Kosecrans, with a detachment of the army con- 
fiisting of the 8th, 10th, and IStli Indiana, and lOth Ohio. 
The remainder of his forces, including the Coldwater bat- 
tery, were held by Gen. McCIellan in readiness to partici- 
pate, but their services were not required, for the Indiana 
regiments which were engaged wont in with a fury which 
was almost ferocity, and carried all before them. They 
recollected the stigma which had been cast upon troops of 
their State for discreditable behavior in the Mexican war, 
and one, at least, of their regiments had inscribed on its 
colors the words " No Buena Vista." They had resolved 
on this occasion to wipe out the old stain, and they did so 
most completely. 

From Rich Mountain the battery moved with its com- 
panion troops to Beverly, whore it gave material assistance 
in the capture of a large fjuantity of forage and other sup- 
plies which were greatly needed. From that point it was 
moved to the defense of Cheat Mountain Pass, in which 
position it remained for some weeks, and while there was 
newly equipped with ten-pounder rifled Parrott guns from 
the Pittsburgh arsenal ; the old armament being given to a 
battery, then recently formed, of Virginia Unionists. 

Though the battery had been in an exposed position, 
and for some hours under fire at the battle of Rich Moun- 
tain, its first actual engagement was that at the mouth of 
the Elkwater, W. Va., in the latter part of July, where it 
did good service. It was again engaged at Greenbrier, W. 
Va., October 3, where, with Howe's (regular) battery, it 
disabled all but one of the fifteen cannon which the enemy 
had upon the field, and also succeeded in exploding their 
magazine. It was under a hot fire for more than four 
hours, and ceased firing only when tiie last round of ammu- 
nition was expended. In this action a loss of about six 
hundred was inflicted on the enemy, while the Union loss 
was very small in comparison. In the night after this 
engagement, the battery bivouacked on the Greenbrier 
Mountain, from which place it moved back to the camping- 
ground at Elkwater. 

Soon after, it was moved to Huttonville, and here the men, 
thinking this would probably be the place of their winter 
quarters, commenced the construction of a suitable camp for 
that purpose. They were, however, not long after removed 
to Philippi, where they again commenced the construction 
of winter quarters for men and horses, but once more their 
labor proved to have been expended in vain ; for in a few 
days afler their arrival, orders were received from the War 
Department directing the battery to be transferred to Louis- 
ville, Ky., and its commander to report in that city to Geo. 
D. C. Buell. 

The cause of this transfer was a projected movement of 



Gen Buell southward from liouisville tliroui;li the States 
of Kentucky and Tennessee, to the Tennessee River. When 
this movement had been definitely decided on, Gen. Buell 
wrote to the War Department asking that one of the best 
regular batteries, one in which he could place confidence 
(for it was a characteristic of that morose martinet that 
he had little confidence in any volunteer troops, infantry, 
cavalry, or artillery) to occupy such positions, and to per- 
form such duties as could only be entrusted to skilled and 
tried artillerists in the contemplated campaign. To this 
application of Gen. Buell, Gen. Halleck replied, in eflfect, 
as follows : " I cannot send you such a regular battery as 
you desire ; but I send you, instead, Capt. Loomis' First 
Michigan Battery, which you will not find inferior in any 
respect to the best among the regular artillery." The order 
for the battery to report to Gen. Buell in Louisville was the 
result of this correspondence. 

The command thereupon broke camp and marched to the 
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, at Webster, from which point 
the men, horses, armament, etc., were shipped by rail to 
Parkersburg, and thence by steamer on the Ohio River to 
Louisville. There Capt. Loomis received orders to join the 
division of Gen. 0. M. Mitchell, at his camp of instruction 
and organization at Bacon Creek. Here the command re- 
mained until February, 18(i2, when it advanced with the 
division towards Bowlnig Green, where the enemy was re- 
ported as being in heavy force. Upon approaching the 
town, it was found that the Big Barren River (on the south 
side of which the town is situated) was enormously swollen 
and impassable. This movement on Bowling Green had 
been a complete surprise to the enemy. Abbott, in his 
" Civil War in America" says of it, — •' Gen. Mitchell, with 
his heroic, devoted, and thoroughly-disciplined band, had 
succeeded in cutting ofi" all intelligence of his movements, 
simply by their rapidity. He had sent out bis scouts so 
adroitly in advance, that they seized every solitary one of 
the enemy's pickets, and no man succeeded in crossing the 
river to carry the news of his advance to Bowling Green. 
A cannon planted upon an eminence sent the first emphatic 
warning to the enemy, in the form of a shell. . . . The 
very first intelligence the enemy had of his approach was 
from the bursting of a .shell in the midst of a railroad depot, 
where several regiments of the rebels were congregated. 
They were, however, preparing to evacuate, alarmed by the 
movement of the army and gunboats up the Cumberland. 
They had destroyed all the bridges across Green River, and 
with trains of cars loaded with supplies, were preparing 
to escape through Nashville. The sudden fire from Gen. 
Mitchell's batteries scattered the foe in such consternation 
that they had not even time to fire the trains; and the 
engines, the cars, and their abundant freight were thus 
saved. That very night a rope ferry was constructed 
across the river, which by the early dawn had conveyed 
over enough of the cavalry and infantry to take possession 
of the town, the enemy flying before them." That first 
cannon-shot, sent screaming across the Big Barren as above 
narrated by Abbott, was fired by Lieut. Roland Root, of 
the First Michigan Battery, and that battery it was, too, 
who.se guns and horses were first crossed upon the frail 
scows of the rope ferry which he mentions. Abbott, how- 



88 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ever, is incorrect in stating that " the engines, the cars, and 
their abundant freight were thus saved," for all escaped, 
except the one train attaclied to the locomotive which was 
disabled by the shot from Loomis' battery. 

The damages to the engine were repaired with but little 
delay, and with it Gen. Mitchell made a personal reconnois- 
sance along the railroad towards Nashville, being accom- 
panied by Capt. Loomis and other officers, and having 
with them a small force, including one gun of this battery, 
under the immediate command of Lieut. Hale. A few days 
after, the battery was rapidly moved forward to " Murrell's 
Cave," and after a short stay it was advanced with the 
greatest possible speed to Edgefield, on the Cumberland 
River, opposite Nashville. So great was the haste in 
which this marcli was performed that in one day Lieut. 
Root, commanding the battery, had occasion to order eleven 
horses to be " cut out" and left by the way, lamed, ex- 
hausted, or otherwise disabled by the extreme severity of 
the work which they were forced to perform. The reason 
why this unusual speed was required was to gain control 
of the Cumberland River at Nashville at the earliest pos- 
sible moment, to prevent the destruction of boats on the river, 
and to afford assistance, if necessary, to the fleet of Com. 
Foote and the troops of Gen. Grant, which had a few days 
before accomplished the reduction of Fort Donelson. 

The 1st Michigan, the foremost of the five batteries ac 
companying Mitchell's force, entered Edgefield at headlong 
speed, and without a moment's delay took possession on a 
knoll upon the river-bank fronting Nasliville, being the 
first Union battery which turned its guns upon that rebel 
city. The orders received by its commanding lieutenant, 
from Gen. Mitchell, were to double-shot with canister and 
promptly open fire upon the least indication of a movement 
along the river-banks. But no movement was made, and 
it proved that the enemy's forces had evacuated the city, 
which was occupied by the troops of Gen. Mitchell on the 
25th of February. The battery encamped on the Mur- 
freesboro' turnpike, where it remained for two or three 
weeks, and then moved on to the town of Murfreesboro', 
making a stay there of about the same duration. 

On the .3d of April it moved with the infantry troops 
successively through Wartrace, Shelbyville, and Fayette- 
ville, on the Elk River, to Huntsville, Ala., the vicinity of 
which place was reached in the evening of April 10. In 
the early morning of the 11th the advance entered Hunts- 
ville, having previously torn up the railroad track above 
and below the town, thus preventing the trains concen- 
trated there from escaping. Twenty-four locomotives, one 
hundred cars, and very large quantities of forage and mil- 
itary stores were captured, and, better than all, a principal 
object of the expedition, the severing of communication be- 
tween Chattanooga and Corinth, by the line of the Mem- 
phis and Charleston Railroad, was accomplished. 

Soon after the occupation of the town (April 28) a sec- 
tion of the 1st Battery, under charge of Lieut. Root, ac- 
companied Gen. Mitchell on an expedition to Bridgeport, 
Ala., to destroy the railroad bridge across the Tennessee 
River at that point. They were transported by railroad to 
a place a short distance above Stevenson, Ala., where the 
guns were taken from the cars, and for the remainder of 



the distance were hauled by the men, with incredible labor 
and diflBculty, over roads and through morasses of the worst 
description to Bridgeport. Here they opened upon the 
enemy on the opposite side of the river with so much vigor 
as to compel him to evacuate his position, — -the second shot 
fired, striking and completely dismantling a locomotive at- 
tached to a train loaded with military stores. The rebel 
commander. Gen. Leadbetter, caused the southern end of 
the magnificent railroad bridge to be set on fire, and then 
retreated with great precipitation. A considerable amount 
of forage and other stores, which had been collected on the 
Bridgeport side by the enemy, fell into the hands of the 
Union forces, who, after burning the north end of the 
bridge (leavi?ig the central spans unharmed), retired to Ste- 
venson, and thence to Huntsville, — the guns of the battery 
being hauled back to Stevenson by the aid of farmers' oxen 
and mules which had been impre.sscd into that service. 
Two guns captured at Bridgeport were also brought back 
in the same manner. 

On the 2d of July, Gen. Mitchell was superseded by Gen. 
Lovell H. Rousseau, under whose command the battery lay 
at Huntsville and immediate vicinity until the incursion 
of the rebel general Bragg into Tennessee, and his rapid 
march towards Louisville, Ky., compelled the evacuation 
of Hunt.sville, the union of Gen. Rousseau's troups with 
the main body under Gen. Buell, and the march of the 
whole army to the Ohio River. In this movement the 1st 
Michigan Battery took part, and, passing northward through 
Tennessee and Kentucky, over nearly the same route by 
which it had advanced under Gen. Mitchell (except a d<5- 
tour byway of Elizabethtown and Salt River, Ky.), reached 
Louisville with the army of Gen. Buell about the middle of 
September, 1862. 

After a short season of rest and reorganization, the army 
again faced southward on the 1st of October, still bent on 
the pursuit of Bragg, who had in the mean time started on 
the retreat towards Tennessee. Overtaking him at Chaplin 
Hills, near Perryvillc, Ky., on the 8th, the left wing of 
the Union army gave him battle, and a fierce engagement 
ensued. In that engagement Loomis' battery took so prom- 
inent a part that Adj. -Gen. Robertson, in his official report 
for 1862, said of it that " it saved the right wing of the 
Union army from being fianked in the important action at 
Perryville, Ky." After this action the battery moved with 
the army to Tyree Springs and Nashville ; and thence, in 
the campaign of Murfreesboro', to the field of Stone River. 
There, in the great battles of Dec. 31, 1862, and Jan. 1 and 
2, 1863, it again distinguished itself as at Perryville, and 
was complimented in high terms by its corps commander, 
the brave and steadfast Gen. Thomas. 

Encamping at Murfreesboro', after the Stone River 
battle, the battery remained at that place until the advance 
of Rosecrans' army on TuUahoma, June 24, 1863, when 
it moved with the column, and on the following day was 
hotly engaged at Hoover's Gap, Tenn., where it silenced 
the enemy's batteries and added a new page to its already 
bright record. Thence, moving on through Manchester, 
Decherd, and Cowan, Tenn., to Stevenson and Bridgeport, 
Ala., it crossed the Tennes.see River at the latter place about 
the 4th of September, passed over Raccoon, Sand, and 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, iMICHIGAN. 



89 



Lookout Mountains to MeLeniore's Cove, skirniisliing at 
various points on the route. Tlience it proceeded to Cliick- 
aiiiau<^a, wliicli it readied on tiie 19tii, and entered the 
tremendous battle which raided tiicrc on tliat and tiie fol- 
lowinp; day. • 

Tiiis was the hottest and most disastrous battle in its 
experience. In obedience to an order (from an evidently 
incompetent source) it moved to a position on the very 
skirmish-iine, in a thicket where its movements were neces- 
sarily cramped, and where, althoui^h within a few yards 
of the enemy's strong line, it had no ade(|uate infiintry 
sup]iort. No sooner had it taken its place there than a 
rebel regiment rose up from an ambush, and poured its 
volleys into the very faces of the cannoneers. Forty-six 
horses and many men fell before this murderous discharge, 
and in hardly more time than is necessary for the recital 
five of the six guns were in the hands of the enemy. The 
guns were subsequently retaken — four of them by Gen. 
AVillich and the other by another command — in the cam- 
paign of the following year ; the remaining gun being 
saved by a single hoi-se, — " old Sam," — the only survivor of 
the splendid team belonging to it. The same fearful fu- 
sillade which wrought all this disaster to the battery killed 
its brave commander. First Lieut. George W. Van Pelt, of 
Coldwater. 

At Chickamauga, Battery A fought its last battle. In its 
dismantled condition it retreated with the army to Chatta- 
nooga. While here twenty-two of the men of the battery 
re-enlisted as veterans, and the battery remained here till 
the close of the war, when it returned to Michigan, arriv- 
ing at Jackson on the 12tli of July. On the 2Sth of that 
month it was mustered out of service, and its members 
were paid and discharged soon after. 

MEMBEltS OF BATTERY A FROM BRANCH COUNTY. 
Cyrus O. L.iuiuis, CoMwuter, rapt. ; enl. Mny 28, 18C1 ; cul,, Oct. 8, ISC'i ; Ijvt. 

brig.-geii., .Iiinc 20, 1805; must, out July 29, 1805. 
Olis H. GilUiu, Coldwater, Ist lieut.; enl. May 28, 1801 ; ros. JiBrch 8, 1802. 
Kiilimd Root, Cul.hvator, 2d lieut. ; eul. May 28, 1801 ; 1st lieut., Oet. 0, 1801; 

res. Nov. 17, 1802. 
Robert G. Chandler, Coldwater, 2d lieut. ; enl. May 28, 1861 ; Ist lieut., Oct. 6, 

1861; res. Nov. 24, 1862. 
George W. Van I'clt, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. Oct. 0, 18C1 ; 1st lieut., Nov. 24, 

1862; killed in action at Chickamauga, Tenn., Sept. 19, 186:1. 
Almerick W. Wilbur, Quincy, 2d liiut. ; enl. Nov. 21, 1862 ; 1st lieut., Sept. 21, 

186.'! ; capt., Sept. o, 1864 ; must, out July 28, 18«), with battery. 
John M. Tilton, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. Sept. 21, 1803; Ist lieut, Sept. 6, 

1804; res. March 0, 1865. 
John W. Streeter, Union City, 2d lieut.; enl. Sept. 6, 1804; 1st lieut., May 25, 

18r>.'»; must, out July 28, 1865, with battery. 
William K. IVet, Coldwater, 2d lieut. ; niiiat. out July 28, 180.5, with battery. 
Ilezekiah E. BurclmnI, disch. to enlist as vet., Feb. II, 1804. 
William II. Bu«h, ilibch. at end of service. May 31, 186>l. 
RolK-rt J. Bi-ttilley, disch. for distibility, March 25, 186:!. 
John liileniar, discli. at end of service, May 31, 1864. 
Orrin A. Barber. 

Adminil B. Burch, disch. at end of service, ]May 31, 1804. 
F^lward M. Brown, disch. at end of service, May :il, 1804. 
Lafayette M. Burleson, disch. at en<l of service, Slay :il, 1864. 
Levi BeanI, must, out July 28, 1865. 
Joseph BiIIing.i|y, died in rebel prison. 
Aaron R. Burroughs, must, out July 28, 1865. 
James B. Burtless, must, out July 28, 1805. 

Peter Bcniama, died of disease at Ohattjinooga, Tenn., June 26, 1304. 
James Barnes, disch. at end of service, Sept. 30, 1804. 
Charles Barnes, nuist. out July 28, 1804. 
Martin Buell, disch. at end of service, May .31, 1804. 
Edgar H. UargdulT, must out July 28, 1865. 
Thomas Biiird, mrisl. out July 28, 1805. 
Jeremiah V. II. Cuduer, must, out July 28, 186.5. 
William R. Card, disch. by order, May 22, 186.5. 
Edward 1". Clark. 



Augustus A. Ciidner, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Jesse Culver, must. out July 28, 1865. 

Harvey Crawford, must, out July 28. 1805. 

Contarini Crawford, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Don P. Cuslunan, disch. at oixl of service, Sept. 20, 1864. 

Wilbur B. Crawford, disch. by order. May 30, 1865. 

Simon L. Ctilver, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Asa B. Coinell, disch. at end of service, Sept. 30, 1804. 

Cornelius Claus, disch. at end of service. May 31, 1864. 

Ransom Cory, must, out July 28, 1805. 

Bradley Crijipen, tlisch. at end of service, Oct. 29, 1864. 

William J. Culp, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Lester Carson, di.sch. for disability. May 10, 180:J. 

Wni. Dubendorf, disch. for disability, Oct. 21, 1862. 

Selii R. Day, disch. at end of service, May 31, 1864. 

John l)illi>n, died at Stone River. Tenn., Jan. 0, 1803, of wounds. 

Daniel Ileinarfst, died in Andorsouvllle prison, June 17, 1864. 

Edward F. Davis, must, out July 28, 1805. 

Wni. H. Kldred, died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 11, 1803. 

Edw.iid E. Ellis, must, out July 28, 180.5. 

Martin V. Elliott, must, out July 28, 1865. 

George L. Freemyer, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Bradley C. Farman, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Samuel W. Finney, disch. for disability. May 22,1865. 

John Golden, di.sch. at end of service, May 31, 1804. 

Marcus A. Gage, died at Stone River, Tenn., Jan. l:j, 1863, of wounds. 

Andrew Grosse. <iiscli. at end of service, May 31, 1804. 

Warren J. Gould, disch. at end of service, Sept. 30, 1804. 

Lumaii B. Giblie, disch. at end of service. May 31, 1804. 

Isjuic Groesbeck, died in action at Chickanmnga, Tenn., Sept. 19, 1803. 

Archibald Grove, disch. at end of service, June 13, 1864. 

John Gackler. 

Andrew J. Hanna, disch. at eiul of service, May 31, 1864. 

Thomas J. Harris, must, out July 28, 1805. 

James Ilnynep, discIi. at end of service. May 31, 1864. 

.lames B. llafTgeily, died ol' disease, Jan. 13, l,S6:i. 

J.ihn Heller, died at I'haiiiplin Hills, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1862, of woun.ls. 

Sheldon Havens, disch. at end of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Charles E. llaalings. disch. March 31, 1863. 

.loseph R. Harris, disch. at end of service. May 31, 1864. 

Clinton .\. Hutchinson, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Wm. H. Haynes, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., May 21, 1864. 

.\lonzo C. Hayden. di?ch. at end of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Bruce G. Ilawley, disch. at end of service. May 31, ISC4. 

Charles E. Judd, must, out July 2S, 1865. 

Henry II. Kellogg, disch. at etid of service, IMay 31, 1804. 

Martin Kelly, must, out July 28, 1805. 

John W. Kennedy, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Charles A. Lee, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Stillman E. Lawrence, must, out July 28, 1805. 

Francis J. Lewis, discli. for disability, .April 0, 1863. 

William Lynde, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Abijah P. I.yke, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Clark Miller, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Jerome Mather. 

Leander A. McCrea, disch. at euti of service, May :ll, 1804. 

.John A. Mosher, diach. at end of service, May 31, 1864. 

John II. Mitnion, disch. at end of service, Sept. :J0, 1804. 

Peter Moubivon, must, out July 28, 1805. 

James P. McCarty, died in action at Chickamauga, Tenn., Sept. 19, 1863. 

John J. Martin, must, out July 28, 1805. 

David C. Nichols, died at Stone River, Jan. 1:1, 1863, of wounds. 

Jared Nichols. 

Bernard O'Kourke, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, May 15, 1864. 

Silas Patten, disch. for disability, Dec. 13, I860. 

William Peet, must, out July 28, 1805. 

Cornelius J. Patten, disch. at end of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

William J. Pattison, disch. for promotion. 

William A. Post. must, out July 28, 1865. 

Lewis C, Richardson, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Robert Houlstone. must, out July 28, 1865. 

Thtimas A. Robinson, must, out July 28, 1805. 

Henry M. Raprigbt, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Linns H. Stevens, must, out July 28, 1865. 

George W. Smith. 

John W. Streeter. 

Watson Spencer, disch. at end of service. May 31, 1864. 

Myron II. Smith, disch. at end of service, Sept. 30, 1864. 

Samuel J. Smith, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Charles F. Smith, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Charles K. Stevens, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Sylvanus Titus, disch. for disability, March 18, 1863. 

Sylvester Taylor, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Lucius M. Tonsley, must, out July 28, 1865. 

Asa G. Van Blarconi, disch. at end of service, Sept. 30, 1801. 

Ira C. Van Aken, must, out July 28, 186.5. 

Henry Vosburg, must, out luly 28, 1805. 



90 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Edward M. Vanderhoof, must, out July 28, 1865. 
Honry Wells, discb. at end of service, May 31, 1864. 
Alva H. Wilder, must, out July 28, 1865. 
Georgo W. Webb, must, out July 28. 1865. 
William H. Webb, must, out July 28, 1865. 
James A. West, must, out July 28, 1865. 
Webster N. Wilbur, must, out July 28, 18G5. 
Henry Wheeler, disch. by order, June 9, 1865. 
Lorenzo Winegard, 



CHAPTER XXI. 

BATTERY D. 

Its Other Names — Formation and First OfBcers— It Joins Buell's 
Army — First under Fire at Pea Ridge, Miss. — Bacli to Louisville, 
and thence to Chattanooga — Its Engagements — Loss of Guns at 
Chickamaugii — Manning's Twenty -pounders at Chattanooga — To 
N.ashvilleand Murfreesboro' — In Garrison at Fortress Rosecrans to 
the End of the W.ar— Slightly Eng.igcd with Hood— Return Home 
— List of OfBcers and Soldiers. 

This organization — -the first official designation of which 
was the -Ith Michigan Battery, but which was most com- 
monly mentioned as " Church's Battery" — had its rendez- 
vous at White Pigeon, with that of the 11th Infentry, the 
recruiting and organization of the regiment and the battery 
being nearly simultaneous, and the two commands leaving 
White Pigeon together for the front. Fully three-fourths 
of the members of the battery were recruited in Branch 
County (the recruiting stations being at Coldwater, Quincy, 
and Union), but Calhoun, St. Joseph, and Hillsdale Coun- 
ties were also represented in it. 

The first officers of the battery were William W. An- 
drews, captain ; Josiah W. Church, of Coldwater, and 
James M. Beadle, of Union City, first lieutenants ; Ed- 
ward S. Wheat, of Quincy, and Henry Corbin, of Union 
City, second lieutenants. 

Captain Andrews was soon after superseded by Captain 
Alonzo F. Bidwell, — formerly major of the 1st Michigan 
three months' regiment, — who resigned Augu.st 2, 1862, 
and was succeeded in the command of the battery by Jo- 
siah W. Church, promoted to captain at the same date. 

The Battery left Michigan on the 9th of December, 1861 
in company witli the 11th Infantry, as before mentioned, 
and proceeded to join the army of General Buell in Ken- 
tucky. With that army it moved southward to the Ten- 
nessee River, arriving at Pittsburg Landing near the close 
of the fierce conflict of Shiloh, and too late to take part in 
the battle. From Pittsburg Lunding it moved forward 
with the army to the neighborhood of Corinth, where 
Lieutenant Church's section was slightly engaged with the 
enemy at " Pea Ridge," Missis.sippi, this being its first ex- 
perience under hostile fire. After this it took part in the 
operations around Corinth until jMay 29, 1862. Later in 
that year it marched with Buell's army in the " chase" of 
the rebel Gen. Bragg to Louisville, Ky., and thence back 
to Nashville, Murfreesboro', Tullahoma, and Clhattanooo-a. 
During these campaigns it was present and engaged at Perry- 
ville, Ky., Oct. S, 18G2 ; at Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862, tu 
Jan. 2, 1863 ; at Hoover's Gap, Tenn., June 26, 1863 ; and 
at Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 19 and 20, 1863, wliere its 
guns and entire equipment were captured by the enemy. 
From Ciiickamauga it retired with the army to Chatta- 



nooga, where the men were placed on duty in Fort Negley, 
to man a battery of twenty-pound Parrott guns, which they 
used with effect on the enemy in the actions at Lookout 
Mountain and Mission Eidge, Nov. 24 and 25. 

The battery moved from Chattaift»oga, December 5, for 
Nashville, where it went into winter quarters. On the 3d 
of March, 1864, it proceeded to Murfreesboro', and remained 
there as part of the garrison of Fortress Rosecrans until 
the end of its term of service. At that place it was sev- 
eral times (from Dec. 12 to 16, 1864) slightly engaged 
with the extreme right of the rebel army of Hood, then 
operating against Nashville. On the 15th of July, 1865, 
it left Tennessee for Michigan, and on the 22d of the same 
month arrived at Jackson, where it was soon after paid and 
discharged. 

MEMBERS or BATTERY D FROM BRANCH COUNTY. 

Joaiiiii W. Church, Coldwater, Igt lieut.; enl. Sept. 1, ISGl ; capt., Aug. 2, 1862; 

umjor, March 14, 1804 ; res. March 14, 1864, for disability. 
Jauies M. Beadle, Union City, 2d lieut. ; enl. Sept. 2, 1861 ; res. June 20, 1862. 
Henry B. Coibin, Uniou City, 2d lieut.; enl. Sept. 10, 1861; Ist lieut., June 20, 

1802; capt, March 2:i,18G4; must, out wt end of service, Feb. 8, 1865. 
Edward S. Wheat, Qnincy, 1st lit-ut ; enl. June 20, 1802 ; must, out at end of 

service, Feb. 8, 1865. 
Daniel W. Sawyer, Quincy, 2d lieut. : enl. Aug. 2, 1862; Ist lieut., March 23, 

1804; must, out at end of service, Jan. 31, 1865. 
Jes^e B. Fuller, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. Sept. 24, 1862; capt., Feb, 8, 1865; 

must, out Aug. 3, 1S65, with battery. 
Solomon E. Lawrence, Union City, 2d lieut.; enl. March 23, 18G4; 1st lieut., 

Feb. 8, 1805; res. June 21, 1S65. 
Samuel A. Blodgett, 2d lieut. ; enl. Fob. 8, 1865; 1st lieut., June 21, 1865 ; must. 

out Aug. 3, 1865, with battery. 
George W. Annis, 2d lieut.; enl. Feb. 8, 1865; must, out Aug. 3, 1805, with 

battery. 
Albert J. Baldwin, 2d lieut.; enl. June 21,1865; must, out Aug. 3, 18Go, with 

battery. 
Georgo Seymour, 1st lieut.; enl. Jan. 31, 1805; must, out Aug. 3, 1865, with 

battery. 

Edward F. Allen, ditd of disease at Nashville, Tenn., April 25, 1805. 

Lionard Austin, disch. for disability, May 27, 1862. 

Myron Austin, must, out Aug. 3, 1S65. 

George E. Aiken, mu^t. out Aug. 3, 1805. 

Henry C. Adams, disch. fur disability, Way 27, 1802. 

Benj.imin F. Barber, disch. at end of servici-, Sept. 17, 1864. 

William H. Beck, must, out at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Harvey Barry, disch. for disability, Oct. 28, 1802. 

William H. Buell, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Sidney Buell, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, April 30, 1864. 

Charles Burnett, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Erastus Barber, died of disease at White Pigeon, Mich., Dec. 11, 1861. 

Henry Barry, died of disease at Triune, Tenn., April 15, 1863, 

Leander Burnett, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Jerry Baker, must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

Dewitt C. Beach, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Lafayette Barileit, died of disease at Murfreesboro', Tenn., April 1, 1805. 

Mai tin F. Brower, died of disease at St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 10, 1861. 

Frank C. Beck, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Harvey Bills, disch. for disability, Aug. 1, 1862. 

Albert J. Baldwin, must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

Ira. B. Buell, mu.st. out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Manly Bucknell, must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

Cliauncey H. Bailey, must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

Arthur E. Bartlett, must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

Heniy J. Burton, must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

Aaron Bagley, Jr., must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

Austin Biii'uett, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Henry Beem, muai. out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Charles W. Cbainpney, trans, to Vet. Ue-s, Corps, April 30, 1S04. 

John Chivois, disch. fur disability, April 28, 1862. 

John H. Chivoi:', disch. at end of seivice, Sept. 17, 1804. 

William Culburn, disch. at end of service, Nov. 2, 1864. 

Jeremiah A. Church, disch. for disability, July 9, 1863. 

Robert Ciawford, must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

John C. Corbiu, died of disease, at Chattanooga, Tenn., Sept. 25, 1863. 

Ira Cran<la!i, disch. by order, June 30, 1865. 

John A. Cailiouii, must, out Aug. 3. 18G5, 

William M. Corey, must, out Aug. 3, 1865, 

Stephen W. Chapman, must, out Aug. 3, 1805. 

John C'hard, iimdt, out Aug. 3, 18G5. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



91 



Gilbert D. Chite, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

George W. Chaffee, diacb. Feb. 28, 18G J. 

Ansel J. Davis, diach. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Ebor L. Dodge, disch. for disability, July at), 1862. 

Albert Durfee, disch. at end of Borvice, Sept. 17, 1864. 

George B. Davis, died of disciuu at Murfrei'tjburo', Tenn., March 27, I8G5. 

Clinton Dewey, died of disease at Njishvillu, Teiin., Murcli I'J, 1861. 

Marvin M. Denison, must, out Aug. -i, I860. 

William J. Davis, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Lymau J. Dane, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Ofcar N. Danisou, disch. for disability, July 2:J, 1863. 

Francis Fry, must, out Aug. 3, 186.^. 

Lewis Gardiner, died of diserise at Gallatin, Tenn., Jan. 7, 180.1. 

George W. Gates, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Iliram T. Grant, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

JuUson Guernsey, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Benjamin Hess, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Norman S. Uawe.*, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 18G4. 

Horace Uall, disch. for disability, April 25, 1863. 

Ashacl Hilt, disch. for disability, Dec. 4, 1862. 

Abner IliUman, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

John Henry, xma^t. out Aug 3, 18G5. 

Andrew J. Hawea, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Eliaa Hively, disch. for disability, July 11, 1862. 

James M. Holiday, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

James A. Harding, disch. at etid of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

nenr>' Harmon, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Henry Hecathanu, must out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Leonard Hulbert, must, out .Vug. 3, 1865. 

George Haymaker, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Frank Haymaker, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Levi B. Halsted, disch. for disability, April 28, 1862. 

Wells Harrison, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Lewis E. Jacobs. 

Henry J, Jones, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Nathaniel Jones, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Varney B. Jones, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Samuel Killmena. 

Ansel Knowles, disch. for disability, Aug. 27, 1862. 

Peter J. Kidney, died of disease at Monterey, Tenn., May 13, 1862. 

Alonzo C. Kimball, disch. by order, June 17, 1865. 

Josiah Kimball, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Samuel Kilburn, discli. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

George W. Kilburn, died of disease at Corinth, Miss., Juno 23, 186 2. 

William H. Kellogg, trans, to Vet. R"s. Corp^, April 10, 1864. 

Caleb H. Lincoln, died of disease at Nashville, Tenu., Jan. 4, 1864 . 

Wm. H. Lincoln, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Cornelius D. Leech, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Riley Laylim, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Henry W. Lock, must, out Aug, 3, 1865. 

William Loucke, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Frank Lilley, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

James M. Lock, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

David W. Moore, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Horace Maxon, disch. for disability, July 11, 1862. 

Jesse L. Maxon, disch. for disability, May 13, 1862. 

Jesse II. Mathews, must, out Aug. 3,d8G5. 

Byron L. Mitchell, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

George V. Mescroll, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Estes McDonald, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

William A. Morley, disch. at end of service, Sept, 17, 1864 . 

John T. Morford, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

William H. Morford, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Cornelius J. Myers, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Marcellus Morrell, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

John W. Norton, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Charles Norton, must, nut Aug. 3, 1865. 

Samuel H. Nichols, must, out Aug. 3, 1865, 

Michael O'ltourke, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Milton Ormsby, disch. 

Harvey L. Ormsby, died of disease at Paducah, Ivy., July 2, 1862. 

Edgar T. Ormsby. 

Albert Olmstead, died of disease at Camp Hallcck, Teun., April 27, 1862. 

Porter Olmstead, disch. at eud of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Patrick O'Rourke, disch. by order. May 24, 1865. 

George Olmstead, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Laman Olmstead. 

Jarvis Petch, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Albert Pinkorton, must, out by order, June 30, 1865, 

Henry A. Peters, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Joseph Polite, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

WiHium Roblyer, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Angusa Rhode, must, out Aug. .3, 1865. 

Mason F. Rjwe, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Charles M. Richards, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Henry Runyan, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

William W. Swayne, must out Aug. 3, 1865. 



Martin Swayne, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

George M. Sims, died of disease at Louisville, Ky. 

Ilpury Seymour, diach. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Albert Shclmire, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

William H. Studley, disch. at end of service, Sept, 17, 18G4. 

Charles W. Stafford, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Daniel B. Saunders, must, out Aug. 3, 18G5. 

Andrew Shafer, disch. for disability, Dec. 1, 1861. 

Joseph M. Snyd('r, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

George W. Swift, died of disease at Camp Gilbert, Ky., Jan. 20, 1862. 

Carlisle Smith, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

George H. Shelt, must out Aug. 3, 1865. 

David It. Spencer, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Johu Stahlneckcr, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

George Seymour, must, out at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Juhn Studley, must, out at eud of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Isiuah Swift. 

William Sutton, died of disea>ie at Gallatin, Teun., Dec. 22, 18G2. 

Ciilob .Simmons, <Iiml of di.sease at Ciuciunnti, Ohio, July 15, 1862. 

Ethan D. Starks, died uf disease at Gallatin, Tenu., Dec. 24, 1862. 

Augustus F. Taylor, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Albert D. Tyler, disch. for disability, July 11, 1862. 

Joseph Taylor, died of disease at Murfret-sboro', Tenn^ July 16, \Sf>l. 

John Taylor, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

William Taylor, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Charles T. Torrey, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Edwin .\. Tenut-y, "mst. out Aug. 3, 18G5. 

Charles Van Vlict, died at ChattAuoaga, Tenn,, Oct. 28, 1863, of wounds. 

Johu P. West,di3ch. for disability, Feb. 13,1863. 

George E. Wolcott, disch. at eud of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Loren M. Waldo, disch. for disability, July 28, 18G2. 

Joseph M. Wisner. 

Herman Wedemanu, disch. at end of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

George Warren, di.-^ch. for disability, Sept. 9, 1863. 

Storrs Wilbur, disch. at eud of service, Sept. 17, 1864. 

Martin V. Wright, disch. for disability, April 28, 1862. 

Albert D. Wetherby, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Hiram C. Wilber, must, out Aug. 3, I860. 

John H. Will>er, must, out Aug. 3, 18C5. 

Asa H. Wilber, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

Thomas C. Winters, mutt, out Aug. 3, 1865. 

David Wetbei-ell, must, out Aug. 3, 1865. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

BATTERY F. 

Its Nainea, Place of Formation, and Officers — To Kentucky id March, 
1862 — A Detachment at Henderson — A Dastardly Murder — Recep- 
tion of Guns, etc. — Defeat at Richmond and Loss of Guna — Again 
Equipped at Louisville — One Section acts against Morgan — On Duty 
io Kentucky — Capt- Uale made Major — Over Cumberland Moun- 
tains — On Duty at Knosville — In the Georgia Campaign of 1864 — 
Its Engagements — Victory after Victory— .First Shell into Atlanta 
— Silencing Rebel Batteries at Utoy Creek — After Hood — Back to 
Chattanr)oga and Columbia — Cut off from Thomas' Army — A Long 
Detour to join him — In Battles of Franklin and Nashville — To 
Washington in January, ISGo — Thence to North Carolina — Home 
at Last — Its Officers and Soldiers. 

This battery, first known (like its predecessor, Battery 
A) as the " Coldwater Light Artillery," afterwards desig- 
nated as the " Sixth Michigan Battery," and still as "Bat- 
tery F, First Michigan Light Artillery," was composed 
largely of men of Branch County, recruited and organized 
at Coldwater in October, 1861, and mustered into the 
service of the United States, by Lieut.-Col. J. R. Smith, 
U. S. A., .Tan. 9 and Feb. 14, 1862, for the term of three 
years. The original officers of the battery were John S. 
Andrews, captain ; Luther F. Hale, Norman S. Andrews, 
first lieutenants ; George B. Tyler, Henry A. Hutson, 
second lieutenants. 

The company, full in numbers and in excellent spirits and 
condition, left the State on the 3d of March, 1862, and pro- 
ceeded to Louisville, Ky., where they were to receive their 



92 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



equipments. While awaitini; these, they were stationed, for 
drill and instruction, at West Point, Ky., about twenty miles 
below the city of Loui.sville. From that place a detach- 
ment of the company, acting as infantry, was sent in the 
latter part of June with the Louisville Guard, Capt. Daly, 
— all being under his command, — to Henderson, Ky., on 
the Ohio River, to protect that place and disperse a band 
of guerrillas who were reported to have made an incursion 
there. While on this duty, Lieut. George B. Tyler was 
shot and killed in cold blood by a guerrilla or citizen sym- 
pathizer with rebels. This cowardly and treacherous act 
was consummated while Lieut. Tyler was quietly sitting 
upon the steps of a house in Henderson, in company with 
Capt. Daly and Lieut. Daly, of the Louisville Guard. This 
was the first casualty sustained by the company. 

Returning from the Henderson expedition, they received 
their horses, guns, and other equipments, and the company 
became a battery in fact as well as in name. Immediately 
following this it was moved by railroad to Lexington, Ky., 
where it was for the time attached to Gen. Cruft's brigade, 
and with that command marched towards Richmond, Ky., 
to meet the invading force under the rebel Gen. E. Kirby 
Smith. 

The battle of Richmond opened in the morning of the 
30th of August by a tremendous attack of the enemy on 
the brigade of Gen. Manson, who was about four miles in 
advance of Gen. Cruft. The latter, hearing the noise of the 
battle, pressed up with all speed to the assistance of Man- 
son. The 6th Battery was soon in position and engaged, 
doing good service ; but notwithstanding the bravery of 
officers and men, not from any fault or shortcoming of 
theirs, but from lack of sufficient infantry support, and as 
a result of the general disaster and rout of the day, they 
lost all their guns, the greater part of their horses, and all 
their camp and garrison equipage. They also lost several 
killed and wounded, and a large number of men taken pris- 
oners, but paroled on the field. 

The remainder of the company fell back with Cruft's 
command to Lexington, which was evacuated by the Union 
forces, and all retired to Louisville, where the battery com- 
mand was encamped about three miles outside the city. 
Here, after a time, they received a partial equipment, and 
the batter}' was reorganized. The vacancies caused by the 
death of Lieut. Tyler, as before mentioned, and by the 
resignation of Lieut Henry A. Hutson, July 19, 1862, 
were filled by the promotion of Byron D. Paddock and 
George Holbrook to be second lieutenants. 

About this time a guerrilla raid through Elizabethtown 
and adjacent portions of Kentucky was made by the rebel 
Gen. John Morgan, and one section of the battery, 
under Lieut. Paddock, was ordered to join Capt. Gay, of 
the cavalry in their pursuit. This service was performed, 
and upon its return this section was moved across the 
Ohio to JeSersonville, Ind., but soon after returned to 
Louisville and joined the remainder of the Battery. The 
Battery remained at that place until the close of the year, 
and while there completed its equipment. The resignation 
of Capt. Andrews was here tendered and accepted, being 
dated Bei. 5, 18(52, leaving Capt. Luther F. Hale (pro- 
moted from first lieutenant, December 5) in command. 



One section of the Battery, under Lieut. Paddock, was 
stationed at Bowling Green, and on the 13th of December 
the other two .'iections, under Capt. Hale, were moved to 
Munfordville for the protection of the great railroad bridge 
at that point. In these positions the two portions of the 
Battery remained through the winter, spring, and early part 
the summer of 18li3. Abimt the finst of July, in that 
year, the section of Lieut. Paddock moved to the fortifica- 
tions at Glasgow, Ky., and not long afterwards rejoined 
the other sections at Munfordville. In October the entire 
command moved to Glasgow, where it remained until near 
the close of the year. During this year (Aug. 3) a special 
order of the War Department had been issued recognizing 
the several Michigan batteries as composing the " First 
Regiment Michigan Light Artillery," in which Capt. Hale 
had been made major, by promotion dated Sept. 1, 1863; 
Lieut. Paddock being advanced to the captaincy of the bat- 
tery, made vacant by Capt. Hale's promotion. In the new 
regimental organization the battery was designated as " Bat- 
tery F, 1st Michigan Light Artillery." 

On the 24th of December, 1863, the Battery left Glas- 
gow, and proceeded by way of Louisville to Nicholasville, 
Ky., and thence over the Cumberland Mountains, by Hall's 
Gap and Burnside Point, to Knoxville, where it arrived on 
the 22d of January. On this march both men and horses 
sufiered severely from the extreme cold and the scarcity of 
rations and forage. At Knoxville the Battery remained on 
garrison duty until the 24th of April, when it was newly 
equipped with ten-pounder Parrott guns and assigned to 
the 2d Division of the 23d Army Corps. 

With that division it left Knoxville and marched south 
to join the army of Gen. Sherman, then preparing to move 
against Atlanta. The route ran through Charleston and 
Cleveland, Tenn., to Red Clay, Ga. (which last-named place 
was left on the 7th of May), and thence by Rocky-faced 
Ridge through Snake-Creek Gap to Resaca, Ga., where the 
Battery did good service in the battle of May 12, in which 
the 2d Division lost nearly one-third of its numbers. The 
battery was also engaged in skirmishes almost daily. On 
the 17th it moved south, across the Ostanaula and Coosa- 
watchie Rivers, and on the 20th camped at Cas.sville, re- 
maining there till the 23d, when it again moved south, 
crossing the Etowah River and engaging in a lively fight 
with the retiring enemy. 

It crossed Punjpkin-Vine Creek on the 26th, and was 
constantly engaged in skirmishing, marching and counter- 
marching until the 9th of June, when it was engaged in 
the fight at Lost Mountain. Again, on the 11th, it was 
engaged, and on the 14th shelled the enemy out of his 
works. From this time the skirmishing was continuous 
until the 22d, when the battery took part in the action at 
Kulp's House, in which the 20th and 23d Corps were en- 
gaged. It was in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain on the 
27th of June, and on the 8th of July drove a rebel bat- 
tery from its position at the Chattahoochee River, causing 
it to abandon one of its guns. The battery crossed the 
Chattahoochee on the 11th, and assisted in driving the 
enemy out of Decatur. 

On the 2 1st of July it was engaged between Decatur 
and Atlanta, and the same day threw the first shell from 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



93 



the Union lines into the latter city. On the 22cl, the 
Battery took position fifteen hundred yard.s from the 
enemy's works, and from that time kept up a slow but 
steady and constant fire upon the city, until the night of 
Au<5ust 1, when with the 23d Corps it moved around the 
rear of the army and took positinn on the extreme right, 
at East Point. On the 4th the Battery was engaged in 
a severe fight at Utoy Creek, in which the e(|uipmeiits and 
wheels of two of its guns were destroyed, notwith.^tanding 
which it held the position and succeeded in silencing two 
of the enemy's batteries. On this occa.sion the Battery at- 
tracted much attention and favorable comment on account 
of its stubborn and effective fighting, and from this time 
until the fall of Atlanta it was almost constantly engaged 
in skirmishing with the enemy. 

Upon the evacuation of the city by Hood, Battery F 
took part in the pursuit, following the retreating enemy to 
near Jouesboro'. It then returned to Decatur and went 
into camp, but resumed pursuit on the 4th of October, 
crossing the Chattahoochee lliver, striking the railroad 
near Marietta, following the track to Kingston, and then 
crossing to Rome. It left Rome on the 14th, and passed 
through Resaca and Snake-Creek Gap, where it camped 
and remained until the 19th. It then marched to the 
westward, crossed the Alabama line, and reached Cedar 
Bluffs, on the Coosa River, on the 21st. Leaving Cedar 
Blufis on the 27th, on the 30th of October the battery ar- 
rived at Chattanooga, where it was newly equipped, after 
its arduous campaign of six months' duration, in which it 
had moved and fought through the hills and passes of 
Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, a distance of more than 
eleven hundred miles. 

Early in November the command, in company with the 
23d Army Corps, was moved by rail to Nashville, and 
thence to Johnsonville, on the Tennessee River, where it 
was encamped from the 11th to the 24th of that month. 
It then broke camp and marched with the 1st Brigade of 
the 2d Division in the direction of Columbia, and remained 
in the field near that point until December 1, when, on 
the approach of Hood's army, it commenced the retreat 
with its Lrigade from near Beard's Ferry, on the Dutch 
River, to Nashville, making a forced march, in which it 
became necessary to impress the horses and mules of far- 
mers along the route, to supply the places of battery-horses 
which were " cut out" and left by the way. 

Arriving within seven miles of Nashville on the night of 
the 2d, the enemy was found to be in force in front and occu- 
pying the roads to the city. In .short, the command found 
itself cut off from the army of Gen. Thomas. It therefore 
became necessary to fall back, and under cover of night 
a successful retrograde movement was accomplished, the 
brigade capturing two of the cavalry pickets of the enen)y. 
The march was continued in good order and without halt 
during the whole of the night. In the morning a rest of an 
hour was taken, and the march then resumed and continued 
to Charlotte, where the Battery encamped, after a rapid and 
almost unbroken march of thirty-six hours, in which a dis- 
tance of sixty miles had been accomplished. 

Again, early in the morning of the 4th, the men were on 
the road and pressing on with all practicable speed towards 



Clarksville, which place was not reached until the af\ernoon 
of the 5th, when the Battery, with the other troops, crossed 
the Cumberland River and camped. They remained there 
during that night and the following day, then, resuming 
the march, proceeded along the right bank of the Cumber- 
land and arrived at Edgefield, opposite Nashville, in the 
evening of the 8th. Recrossing the river, the battery 
moved to the south of Nashville, and participated actively 
and gallantly in the operations from the 12th to the 16th 
of December, including Thomas' great and decisive battle 
which crushed and routed the army of Hood. This closed 
its service in the field for 1864. Its equipment was re- 
plenished at Nashville, and in its reorganization fifty men 
of the battery had re-enlisted as veterans. 

Early in 1865 (January 19), Battery F left Nashville 
with (Jen. Schofield's corps, under orders to move to Wash- 
ington, D. C. Its equipment — except horses — was turned 
over to the proper officer at Louisville, and the command 
proceeded by river to Cincinnati, and thence by rail to Wash- 
ington, arriving there February 2. Seventeen days later 
(having in the mean time received a new armament of 
Rodman guns) the Battery moved to Alexandria, and on 
the 20th took transports for Fort Fisher, N. C, but arriving 
there on the 24th, after the reduction of that stronghold, pro- 
ceeded without disembarking to Morehead City, and thence 
by railroad to Newborn, reaching there on the 2Gth. On 
the 3d of March, Battery F left Newborn with the 1st Di- 
vision, and on the 10th was engaged with the enemy at 
AVise's Forks, in which action it maintained its previous 
high reputation for gallantry and efiBciency. It reached 
Kingston on the 15th, and on the 21st arrived at Golds- 
boro', remaining there until the 5th of April, when, having 
become short of men, it was ordered back to Newborn to 
refit for field service ; being at the same time detached from 
the 1st Division. But its field service was over, for the 
Confederacy was crushed and its warlike power gone. The 
battery, then under command of Lieut. George Hawley 
(Capt. Paddock having resigned April 6, 1862), remained 
at Newbern until June, 1S65, when it faced homeward, 
moved to Washington, and thence to Jackson, Mich., where 
it arrived on the 24th, and w;is mustered out of service on 
the 1st of July. The record of its service from fii-st to last 
was a good and an honorable one. 

MEMBERS OF BATTKBY F FKOM BRANCH COUNTY. 

Julin S AiKlrews, Coldwiiter, capt. ; enl. Oct. 15, 1861 ; res. Dec. 5, 18r.2. 
Lutbir F. Hale, Coldwater, 1st lieiit. ; iiil. Oct. 15, ISCI ; capt., Dec. 5, 1862 ; 

niigur, Sept. 1, 186.!; lieul.-col., March 14, 18t>4; res. KoT. 17, 1864. 
George H. Tylor, Coldwatcr, l.st lieut. ; eiil. Oct. 15, 1861 ; killuti in actiuD, Juno 

2'.>, 1862, at Ileniler.Hon, Ky., by giierrillas. 
Byron D. PaiWock, Colilwalcr, 2d lieut.; cnl. .luly 1,1862; l»t licut., Dec. 5, 

1862 ; capt., Sept. 1, 18C:i ; must, out at end of service, April 6, 1865. 
George Hollirook, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. Sept. 1, 1862; 1st licut., Sept. 2, 

186:i; must, out at end of service, Jan. 10, 1865. 
William U. Brown, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. Dec. 5, 1862; res. March 15, 1864. 
Mai shall M. Miller, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. March 15, 1864; l»t lieut, Jan. 

19, 18G.'>; wounded in action at Marietta, Ga., Jutie 27,1864; must, out 

July 1, 1865, with battery. 
George Hawley, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. Sept. 2,1863; Ist lieut., Jan. 10,1865; 

ciipt., April 6, 1865 ; must, out July 1, 1865, with battery. 
John Hughes, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; as sergt., April 6, 1865; must, out July 1, 

1865, with battery. 
John IS. Alien, must, out July 1, 1865. 
llinim li. Avery, diich. for disal.ilily, May 15, 1862. 
Joseph Badger, disch. for disability, June 12, 1862. 
Mandervillo Bates, disch. for disability, March 2, 1863. 
Charles Bniylon, must, out July 1, 1865. 



94 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAX. 



Daniel Burleson. 

Joseph Bedell, died of disease at Quincy, Mich., Marcli 15, 1865. 

Cbarles Bridge, died of disease atGIasguw, Ky., Nov. 17, 1863. 

Gideon S. Baker. 

George O. Bush. 

Martin L. Burleson, must, out July 1, 18G5. 

Samuel Butcher, must, out July 1, 1865. 

William H. Brown. 

David H. Carter, must, out July 1, 1SC5. 

Albert Cummiugs, disch. for disability, Sept. 27, 1862. 

Levi Coup, disch. at end of service, Jau. 14, 1865. 

Francis C. Corneille, must, uut July 1, 1865. 

Charles D. Christian. 

Levi Cury. 

George W. Clark, disch. for disability, June 12, 1802. 

Watson R. Cole, disch. by order, June 7, 1865. 

James D. Cole, disch. for pro. to 12th U. S. Col. Heavy Art. 

Harvey Dart, died of disease at Bowling Green, Ky., Jan. 29, 1863. 

Ambrose David, disch. at end of Ber\ice, Jan. 28, 1865. 

Lenian Dibble, disch. at end of service, April 28, 1865. 

Calvin J. Dart, disch, at end of senice, April 19, 18G5. 

Hiirvey Darwin, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Isaac C. Estlow, must, out July 1, 1865. 

John G. Gould, must, out July 1, 1SG5. 

AVebster Goodrich, disch. for disability, Sept. 24, 1SG2. 

Isaac Grundy, must, out July 1, 1865. 

John Graham, must, out at end of service, Jan. 14, 1865. 

Ileury A. Hutson. 

George U. Hawlcy, disch. to re-enl. as ret., Feb. 20, 1S64. 

William E. Holmes, disch. for disability, June 12, 1862. 

Joseph J. Hartwell, mu>t. out July 1, 1865. 

John Hughes, must, out July 1, 1865. 

George Holltrake. 

James M. Hulbert, must, out July 1, 1865. 

William H. Howe, disch. for disability, Feb. 20, 1863. 

Michael Hulweg, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Mar*iuis L. Hayuer, disch. to take com'sn in 12th U. S. Col. H. Art. 

Frederick Keeler. 

Joseph Lapoiute. 

Leverett Lee, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Willard Lease, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Gideon Lease, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

Marshall M. Miller, disch. to re-enl. as vet., Feb. 20, 1864, 

Joseph McKioney, must, out July I, 1865. 

David C, Myers, must, out by order, Jan. 27, 1865. 

George W. Misner, disch. for disability, June 12,1862. 

Nathan Morse, disch. for disability, May 15, 1862, 

Peleg S. Manchester, died of disease at Louisville, Ky., Jan. 19, 1865. 

Asher M. Miller, diach. for disability, Nov. 26, 1862. 

Philo P. Miller, disch. for disability, Feb. 26, 1S63. 

William W. Misner, must, out July 1, 1865. 

James H. McCauley, disch. at end of service, Jan, 28, 1865. 

Sanford H. McCauley, disch, at end of service, Aug, 19, 1865. 

James McCrea, disch, at end of service, Jan. 28, 18G5. 

Isaac McCrea, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865, 

John W, McGinniss, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

Samuel B. McCourtee, disch. to re-enl. as vet., Feb, 20,1864. 

Sylvester W. McNitt, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Wm. N. Millard, 

James Morrill, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Wesley J. Nichols, must, out July 1, 1865, 

William H, Piutt, disch. at end of service, Jan, 28, 1S65. 

Gideon Pease. 

Ebeu Palmeter, disch. for disability, Jau. 28, 1864. 

Joseph Palmeter, disch. by order. May 11, 1864, 

James T. Porter, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

Bensou W. Paddock, disch. for disability, Nov. 18, 1862. 

Cyrus W. Parker, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Sherman B. Ransom, disch. to accept com'sn in 12th XJ. S. Col. H. Art. 

James M. Ransom, disch. for disability. May 15, 1862, 

Andrew J. Shook, disch, at end of service, Jan, 28, 1865. 

Almirou L. Sharp, died of disea.se at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 28, 1864. 

Stephen D. Sherman, disch. for disability, Nov. 18, 1862. 

Abram E. Stowell, disch. for disability, Oct. 14, 1862, 

Truman A. Smith, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 18G5. 

Samuel L. Stowell, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

William Taft, disch. by order, July 1, 1865. 

Harrison Taylor, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

David S. Thompson. 

Rowland F. Underbill, disch. for disability, March 11, 1863. 

Abner T. Van Vorst, disch. for disability, Oct. 3, 1863. 

Nicholas Van Alstiue, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Amos Vanderpoel, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Samuel Wright, must, out July 1, 1865. 

Isaac H. WInte, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

William JI. White. 



Abram L. Webb, disch. for disability, April 28, 1862. 
David E. Wed;:e, disch. for disability, April 28, 1862, 
Carletou Wakefield, must, out July 1, 1865. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

BATTERY G. 

Raised at Culdwater and Kalamazoo — First Officers and Non-Coni- 
missioncd Officers — To Louisville, Ky., in February, 1S62 — Equipped 
— To Cumberland Gap in May — To West Virginia in November — 
To the Yazoo River in l>ecember — The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou 
— To Arkansas Post — To Vicksburg and Carrolton, La. — To Texas 
in November, 1863 — Its Services there — Back to Louisiana in June, 
1S74 — To Mobile in October — Operations in April, 1S66 — Mustered 
out in August — List of Officers and Soldiers. 

This battery was made up chiefly of men belonging in 
Brancb County. Recruiting for it was commenced at 
Coldwater by Capt. Charles H. Lanphere, in the fall of 

1861. At the suggestion of Col. Charles E. Stuart, of 
the " Stuart Rifles" (afterwards designated as the 13th 
Michigan Infantry), the rendezvous of Lanphere's Battery 
was established at Kalamazoo, where its ranks were filled, 
and it was mustered into the United States service, one 
hundred and sixty-six strong (ofiBcers and men), Jan. 16, 

1862. The original ofiicers of the battery were Charles 
H. Lanphere, captain ; Edwin 0. Lanphere, Alvin T. 
Lanphere, first lieutenants ; James H. Burdick, Robert M. 
Wilder, second lieutenant,?. Its non-commissioned officers 
were Orsemus Doty, orderly sergeant; George L. Stillman, 
quartermaster-sergeant ; Alanson Conkling, Horace Smith, 
Ira G. Wisuer, Edwin E. Lewis, Simeon H. Frank, Theo- 
dore F. Garvin, sergeants ; Elliott M. Burdick, Jonathan 
G. Waltham, Adam V. Thompson, Abraham Cooper, Elisha 
Moyer, James S. Briggs, Sylvester B. Wright, Oliver Frank- 
lin, Hiram L. Brace, Joseph Woolston, Richard Hart, 
Moses A. Hewitt, corporals. 

Under a misconstruction of orders (which were intended 
to apply only to the 13th Infantry, but which were inter- 
preted as including also Capt. Lanphere's command), the 
battery, in company with the 13th, left Kalamazoo on the 
12th of February, 1862, and proceeded to Louisville, Ky., 
where it arrived February 14, and soon after received the 
equipment which it should have received at Kalamazoo, and 
which had followed the battery from that point by way of 
New Albany, Ind. On the 4th of March it was moved to 
West Point, Ky. ; thence, April 1, to Louisville ; and thence. 
May 3, by way of Lexington, Ky., to Cumberland Ford, 
where it arrived jMay 18. From this place it moved, with 
the forces of Brig.-Gen. Morgan, by way of Big Creek 
Gap,- — a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, — to Cum- 
berland Gap, where it arrived on the 18th of June, the 
enemy having evacuated the gap the previous morning. 

Here the battery remained until September 17, when it 
was moved northward, and arrived at Greenupsburg, Ky., 
on the Ohio River, Oct. 4, having used but one ration in 
a march of sixteen days, and having skirmished with the 
enemy at Caney Bottom, Ky. From Greenupsburg it was 
moved to Portsmouth, 0., and in November, 1862, the 
battery formed a part of the forces of Gen. Cox, moving 
up the valley of the Great Kanawha, in West Virginia, to 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



95 



Oanley Bridge, which had been evacuated by the enemy 
one day before their arrival. On this canipai;.rn the Bat- 
tery did excellent ser\'iee. From West Virginia it was 
moved to Cincinnati, where it arrived November 21, and 
moved thence to Memphis, Tenn., reaching that city De- 
cember 3. There it joined the command of Gen. Sher- 
man, and left on the 20th with the expedition destined for 
the Yazoo River, in Mississippi. On this expedition it 
took part in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, — December 28 
and 21), — in which action it used two thousand one hundred 
and sixty rounds of ammunition and performed good and 
gallant service. Here Capt. Lanphere was wounded, leav- 
ing the Battery temporarily in command of First Lieut. 
Robert M. Wilder, who liad received promotion to that 
grade Oct. 22, 1862, First Lieuts. A. T. Lanphere and E. 
0. Lanphere having resigned, — ^the former on the 5th of 
June and the latter on the 24th of October, 18G2. 

The Battery embarked Jan. 2, 1863, to move with the 
expedition against Arkansas Post, under command of Gen. 
McClernand. During the fight there and the capture of 
that place it was not engaged, but was held in reserve. It 
was then moved to Young's Point, and thence to Milliken's 
Bend, where it was on duty until April 8, when it embarked 
on tiansports and successfully ran the blockade at Grand 
Gulf, after which it took part in the campaign in which 
Gen. Grant moved his army to the rear of Vicksburg. On 
the 23d of April it participated in the sharp fight at Choc- 
taw Bayou, and was engaged in the battle of Port Gibson 
(or Thompson's Hills) on the 1st of May, 1863. Battery 
G acquired much distinction in the latter contest, and was 
thus mentioned in the report of Gen. McClernand : 

" The splendid practice of Lanphere's and Foster's Bat- 
teries disabled two of the enemy's guns and contributed 
largely to our success." 

Again the Battery was engaged at Champion Hills, May 
1 6, and at Black River Bridge on the following day. On the 
19th it arrived at Vicksburg. It was among the batteries 
which first opened fire on the works and town, and was 
present and actively engaged in the operations against the 
place until the surrender, on the 4th of July. Taking 
part in the movement on Jack.son, it was engaged in the 
skirmishes of the 8th, 9th, and 10th of July, and on the 
11th took position before the fortifications of the town, and 
gave valuable aid towards the defeat and expulsion of the 
enemy. 

After the evacuation of the rebel works the Battery re- 
turned to Vicksburg, and in August was moved by trans- 
ports to Carrolton, J^a., where it remained stationed there 
through the months of September and October. Early in 
November it was transported to New Orleans, where on the 
13tli of that month it was embarked for Brazos Santiago, 
Texas. On reaching there it was ordered to Aransas Pass, 
wliere it arrived November 20, and inarched thence towards 
Fort Espcranza, on Matagorda Island. It arrived near the 
works on the 27th, and on the 29th was warmly engaged 
•with the enemy. From that time it remained in the 
vicinity until Dcceiuber 30, when it moved to Decrow's 
Point. 

Jan. 4, 1864, it moved up the bay to Indianola, and was 
posted there till the latter part of May, having been several 



times engaged in skirmishes with the enemy during that 
time. Then it was moved back to Fort Espcranza, and on 
the 13tli of June embarked on transports and proceeded 
to New Orleans and Carrolton, La. It remained at Carrol- 
ton till October 9, when it was moved by water to Mobile 
Bay, arriving at Fort Morgan on the 11th, and soon after 
went into camp at Navy Cove. The Battery remained in 
the vicinity of Fort Morgan until the 10th of April, 1865, 
when it was moved up in front of Mobile, and took part in 
the operations against the city until the surrender of that 
place. It was then ordered to garrison the " Bay Battery 
defenses" of Mobile, and continued on that duty till the 
19th of July, when, under orders to that effect, it left Mo- 
bile Bay for Michigan, and was mustered out of service 
and discharged at Jackson, Aug. 6, 1865. 

MEMBERS OF BATTERY O FROM BRANCH COUNTY. 

Chnrles H. Lanphero, Col'iwater, capt. ; enl. Oct. H, 1851 ; res. Sept. 1, 18G3. 
Albin T. Liinplurc, Ccililwater, 1st lieilt. ; onl. Oct. :i, 1861 ; res. June 5, 1802. 
jKuies H. Biinlick, Colilwater, 2(1 lieut. ; enl. Oct. 3, 18(il ; capt., Sept. 1, 18BI; 

must, imt Jit etui of service, Jiin. 17, lHt>5. 
Robeit M, Wil.ier, (_'ulii«ater, 2.1 lieut, ; enl. Oct. 3, ISfil ; Ist lieiit., Oct. 22, 

1802; res. May 3, ISKi. 
George L. Stilltiian, Coldwuter, 2«i lietlt. ; enl. Feb. 15, 1803; Ist lieut., Sept. 

1803 ; must, out Aug. 0, 1805, with battery. 

Edwin E. Lewis, Coliiwater, 2d lieut.; enl. .luiie fi, 1862; Ist lieut., April 19, 

1804 ; cn]it., .Ian. 7, 1805 ; must, out Aug. 6, 1865, with battery. 

Elliott M. Burdick, Coldwater, 2d lient.; enl. April 10, 1804; must, out Aup. 0, 

180."i, with l.atrery. 
Theodore K. (iarvin, Coldwater, 2d lieut.; enl. ;is sergt., April 0, ISOo; must. 

out Aug. C, 1S05, with battery. 
George H. .\bbott, discli. at end of service, Starch 4, 1805. 
Robert II. Abbott, disch. for disability, June 10, 1863. 
I'hilander L. Aldon, nuist. out Aug. 6, 1805. 
Elijah C. Branch, disch. for disability, Nov. 4, 1802. 
Clinton J. Ball, died of disease at Fort Gaines, Ala., Nov. 25, 1804, 
George Busier, died of disease, April 25, 1862, 
Hiram L. Brace, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, April 10, 1864. 
Aaron Barnes, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 
Natbainel R. Barnes, must, out Aug. 0, I860. 
George N. Brown, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 
Archibald D. Cooper, must, out Aug. ti, 1865. 
George W. Clark, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 
Daniel J. Cook, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 
Francis L. Cain, must, out Aug. 6, 1865, 
Ezra S. Corey, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1805. 
Edgar A. Craft, disch. to enl. in regular service, Nov. 25, 1862. 
Stepl en B. Campbell, disch. for disability, July 15, 1862. 
Daniel B. Campbell, disch. for disability, April, 1862. 
Reuben Cornell, disch. for disability, April 11, 1862. 
Daniel Dougliiss, must, out Aug. 0, 1805, 
William Dillen, disch, at end of service, Jan, 28, 1865, 
Benjamin F, Dumont, disch. at end of service, Jan, 28, 1805. 
Austin Engle, disch. for disability, March 4, 1804, 
Jeremiah FergUfon, trans, to Vet, Res, Corps, March 5, 1864, 
William S, Gibson, trans, to Vet, Res. Corps, Sept, 25, 1804. 
Charles SI, Gay, must, out Aug. 0, 1865, 
Lyman J. Goodell, must, out Aug. 0, 1805, 
Daniel J, Gibson, trans, to Vet. Res, Corps, Sept, 25, 1804. 
Moses A. Uewctt, trans, to Vot, Res, Corps, April 10, 1864. 
Daniel Iliggins, disch, for disability, March 1, 1802. 
George W, Harris, disch. by sentence of G, C, M,, Sept, 6, 1862. 
Tobias Ilaynes, ilied of disease at Pass Cavallo, Texas, June 7, 1864. 
Edwin R. Ilause, died of disease at Now Orleans, July 21, 1S65. 
Francis Harvey, disch, at end of service, Jan, 28, 1805, 

James D, C, Harvey, died of disease near Perkie's Plantation, La,, May 31, 1S63, 
William Hurst, must, out .\ug. 0,1805. 
Albert Johnson, must, out .\ug. 6, 1805. 
Etias Juhn.son, must, out Aug. 6, 1865, 

Benjamin Knickerbocker, disch. for disability, Aug. 10, 1803. 
Frederick Knickerbocker, disch, at end of servjce, Jan, 28, 1865. 
Philander Knapp, must, out Aug. 6, 1805. 
Somers Lcland, disch. for (Usability, June 16, 1803. 
Sidney Leiand, discli. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 
Henry Lindenburg, must, out Aug. 6, 1805. 

Thaddeus K. Lawrence, died at i'aducah, Ky., Feb, 9, 1863, of wounds. 
James A. Mason, must, out Aug. 0, 1805. 
Charles R. Moore, must, out Aug. 0, 1805. 
Charles HnfTman, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 
Emanuel G. Miller, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 



96 



HISTORY OP BEANCH COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 



Juhn W. McDonald, died at Padilcah, Ky., Jan. 18, 1863, of wounds. 

Morgan Marquette, died of disease at Cumberland Gap, Tenn., Aug. 3, : 

Benjamin S. O.iburn. 

Cortlandt Olds, disch. for disability, Oct. 20, 1864. 

John Osterman, died of disease near Vicksburg, Tenn., July 1, 1863. 

Samuel A. Peterson, must, out Aug. 6, I860. 

Edwin Palmeter, disch for disability. 

Henry Patterson, disch. to enter U. S. Navy, Aug. 25, 18651 

William E. Page, disch. at end of service, Feb. 12, 186.'). 

John Kay, disch. at cud of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

Jacob Raupp, must, out Aug. 6, 1865. 

Elijah Smith, disch. for disability, Feb. 1863. 

Peter Snooks, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

William Snooks. 

Fred. ScUnoerstine, di.sch. to enlist in regular service, Nov. 25, 1862. 

Fi-ederick Schmidt, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

Fayette N. Swift, disch. at end of service, Jan. 28, 1865. 

Seymour Straight, died of disease at Young's Point, La., March 3, 1863. 

Samuel Smith, disch. for disability, Aug. 19, 1862. 

Chester L. Stephens, must, out Aug." 6, 1865. 

Smith Taylor, disch. for disability, Aug. 27, 1862. 

William H. Thurber, disch. for disability, Aug. 28, 1862. 

Lyman Thurber, disch. for disability, Nov. 26, 1862 

Jolin J. Vickory, disch. for wounds, Ainil 17, 1863. 

Aaron Van Antwerp, must, out Aug. 6. 1865. 

Sylvester B. Wright, ilisch. at end of service, Jan. 17, 1865. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

OTHER BRANCH COUNTY SOLDIERS. 

Soldiers of the 2(1 Infantry— Of the .''..1 Infantry— 4th Infantry— 6th 
Infantry— 10th Infantry— 12th Infantry— 13th Infantry— 14th 
Infantry— 24th Infantry— 25th Infantry— 26th Infantry— 27th In- 
fantry— 3iith Infantry— 102d United States Colored Troops— 
Duesler's Sharpshooters— 5th New Vork Infantry— llth Con- 
necticut Infantry— 1st Cavalry— 2d Caviilry- 3d Cavalry— 7th 
Cavalry— Merrill Horse— Battery C— 1st Light Artillery— Battery 
E— Battery I— Battery K— Battery L— Battery M— Cleveland 
Light Artillery— First Engineers and Mechanics. 

Besides the regiments and batteries of which sketches 
have been given, there were many others, each of which 
contained a few soldiers from Branch County. Of such 
soldiers we give a list in this chapter. 

SECOND INFANTRY. 

John Q. Adams, Co. B; died at Washington, D. C, June 10, 1864, of wounds. 

Feron Anderson, Co. B ; died of wounds, July 18, 1864. 

Fletcher Alford, Co. G ; disch. at expiration of service, July 12, 1864. 

Wesley Banfield, Co. B ; missing in actiou near Petersburg, Va., Sept. 30, 1864. 

Robert A. Belton, Co. B; died at Portsmouth Grove, K. I., June 17, 1864, of 

wounds. 
William J. Baldwin, Co. A ; must, out July 28, 1865. 
Mandeville Bates, Co. D ; must, out July 28, 1865. 
Edward E.Gibson, Co. D; disch. for disability, Sept. 30,1864. 
Andrew Granger, Co. A; must, out Aug. 8, 1865. 
Ludlow A. Hollenbeck, Co. A ; di.-ich. for disability, Aug. 16, 1864. 
Elijah Hammond, Co. B; must, out July 28, 1865. 
Charles J. Moore, Co. H ; must, out July 28, 1S65. 

George McKewn, Co. H ; died in hospital, 1st Div., 9th A. C, July 25, ISG4. 
Ralpli Truax, Co. D; must, out May 12, 186.>. 
James Upton, Co. B ; must, out -lug. 2, 1865. 

THIRD INFANTRY. 
Anderson Brown, Co. O; missing in action, Jan. 4, 1864. 
Sidney J. Burlington, Co. F; trans, to 5th Inf., June 10,1864. 

FOORTH INFANTRY. 

David H. Wood, Quincy, 2<i lieut.; enl. July 26, 1864; 1st lieut. Oct. 24, 1865; 

must, out May 26, 1866, with regiment. 
Amos Aldrich, Co. E; died of disease at San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 8, 1866. 
Cliarlos Brownell. Co. E ; must, out .lug. 21, 1865. 
Henry E. Beale, Co. C; disch. at expiration of service, Jan. 29, ISlrl. 
Samuel B. Corbus, Co. E; must, out May 26, 1866. 
Canfield A. Flak, Co. C ; disch. at expiration of service, June 29, 1SG4. 
William H. Holconib, Co. B; died of wounds at Washington, D. C, Feb., 1863. 
Jolin A. Homer, Co. C; disch. for disability, April 28,1863. 
Thomas Jones, Co. E; must, out May 26, 1866. 



John Kinney, Co. C; disch. for disability, Feb. 8, 1863. 
John P. Kidney, Co. C ; disch. at expiration of service, June 29, 1864. 
Joseph Price, Co. C ; died of wounds received in action, July 31 1862. 
Jacob Roupp, Co. C; disch. at expiration of service, Oct. 1, 1863. 
Cessna Smith. Co. E; must, out Aug. 21, 1865. 

Andrew J. Tindall, Co. E ; died of diseise at Murfreesboro', Tenn., Jan 1 
1863. ' ' ' 

Oren Vaugilder, Co. I ; disch. to enl. in regular service, Dec. 24, 1862. 
Chailes Wademan, Co. C; disch. at expiration of Service, June 29, 1864. 
George Williams, Co. C: died at New York City, Aug. 10, 1862. 
Jerome B. Youngs, Co. C ; tians. to Vet. Ros. Corps, Jan. 15, 1864. 

SI.XTH INFANTRY. 

George W. Barry, Co. K ; discli. by order, July 24, 1865. 
Cliarles W. Hewitt, Co. C; disch. to re-enl. as vet., Feb. 1, 1864. 
Josepli W. Riilph, Co. C; must, out Aug. 211, 1865. 
Lorenzo P. Van Slyke, Co. I ; must, out Aug. 20, 1865. 
Benjamin M'lienton, Co. I; disch. by order, Sept. 2, 1863. 
Soman S. Whipple, Co. K ; disch. by order, July 24, 1865. 

TENTH INFANTRY 

Cliarles W. Bray, Co. K; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Jabez Carlisle, Co. A ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Joseph Echtinaw, Co. A ; must, out July 19, 1865. 
Johu Huffmaii, Co. G ; must, out July 19, 1865. 

TWELFTH INFANTRY. 

William Buck, Co. C; disch. by order, Oct. 12, 1865. 

Robert Cosgrove, Co. B; disch. by G. C. M., Dec. 14, 1865. 

Albert L. Gibson, Co. H ; must, out Feb. 15, 1866. 

Lewis Hause, Co. B; died of disease at Duvall's Blutf, Ark., Aug. 1, 1864. 

Nathan A. Johnson, Co. B; died of disease at Little Bock, Ark., July 15, ISM. 

Patrick Kecley, Cci. D; must, out Feb. 15, 1866. 

Thoniiis McEv.y, Co. K; iliscli. by order, Oct. 13, 1866. 

William H. Savage, Co. A ; disch. at expiration of service, Sept. 9, 1865. 

Daniel Tice, Co. B ; must, out Feb. 13, 1866. 

THIRTEENTH INFANTRY'. 

.\bel E. Barber, Co. E; disch. by order, June 8, 1865. 

Stephen Brooks, Co. I ; disch. by order, June 8, 1865. 

Sier Baird, Co. I; disch. by onler, June 8, 1865. 

Beiij. Cleveland, Co. E; died of disease at Savannah, Ga., Feb. 9, 1865. 

Josejdius Clark, Co. I ; disch. by order, Aug. 4, 1865. 

Hiram Evans, Co. E; died of disease at Savannah, Ga., .Ian. 15, 1865. 

Calvin B. Ferris, Co. I; died of disease, March 3, 1865. 

Levi R. Fuller, Co. I; disch. by order. 

Charles W. Hoxie, Co. I ; must, out July 25, 1865. 

Horace June, Co. I; died of disease at Troy, N. Y'., April 2, ISIU. 

James Ransom, CV>. I ; disch. by order, June 8, 1863. 

Peter B. Tindall, Co. I ; disch. by order, June 23, 1865. 

Milton R. Thompson, Co. E; disch. by order, June 26, 1865. 

FOURTEENTH INFANTRY. 

John W. .\rnold, Co. G; must, out July 18, 1865. 

Archibald Bates, Co. G; must, out July 18, 1865. 

John L. Bowers, Co. B; must, out July 18, 1865. 

Dwight L. Bni'bank, Co. B; disch. by order, Aug. 2, 1865. 

Andrew Doyle, Co. G ; disch. by order, June 22, 1865. 

Jefferson L. Friend, Co. A; must, out July 18, 1865. 

Tliomas G. King, Co. B ; must, out July IS, 1865. 

Sylvester Kilbourn, Co. B; must, out July 18, 1865. 

William Kelso, Co. G ; must, out July 18, 1865. 

William Luke, Co. G; must, out July 18, 1863. 

George McKniglit, Co. G ; disch. for disability, Juno 12, 1865. 

Robert Mc3Iuri-ay, Co. B ; must, out July 18, 1865. 

Charles Reynolds, Co. G : must, out July IS, 1865. 

Christian Perkins, Co. H ; nuist. out July 18, 1865. 

Jeremiah Shane, Co. D; disch. for disability, Nov. 11, 1865. 

Ambrose Stevens, Co. G ; died of disease at Newbern, N. C, May 27, 1865. 

John J. Smith, Cu. G; must, out July 18, 1S65. 

Augustus Thies, Co. H ; must, out July 18, 1865. 

Lewis Waiuer, Co. B; must, out July 18, 1865. 

Franklin Warren, Co. C; disch. for wounds, June 18, 1865. 

TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 
Austin Birch, Co. — ; must, otit June 28, 1865. 
Jonathan W. Crawford, Co. E; must, out June 30, 1865. 
Theodore Dickinson, Co. — ; must, out June 30, 1865. 
George Frear, Co. E ; must, out June 30, 1865. 
John French, Co. F; must, out June 30, 1865. 
Elmore Gates, Co. — ; must, out June 30, 1865. 
Peter D. Gibson, Co. — ; must, out June 30, 1865. 
Carlton Greenleaf, (;o. B; must, out June 30, 1S65. 
Charles Leigh, Co. £; must, out June 30, 1865. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



97 



Melvin G. Lincoln, Co. K; must, out Juno 'M\ 1865. 

Ezra Lewid, Co. I; must, out Juno 30, 18G5. 

William A. Poavoy, C<>. — ; must, out Juno 30, I^C'k 

John Sterling, Co. A ; died of disease iit Culpppor, Va., April 1-1, 1864. 

George Vandino, Co. K : must, out Juno 30, 18(>'). 

George E. Wulcott, Co. K\ must, out Juno 30, 18C5. 

Julius M, WnnI, Co. E; must, out Juno 30, 18C5. 

TWEXTY-FIFTH INFANTRY. 
Oliver H. Blanchanl, Co. E; died of diseiiHO at NiLshvilio, Tonn., Fob. 13, ISCr.. 
J. S. Manning, Co. D; died of disease at Knuxville, Tenn.. April 1, 1804. 
Kdwanl P. Wliicmure, Co. D; discli. for disability, March 25, 1863. 
Bruce C. Wilcox, Co. E; must, out Juue 24, 18G5. 

TWENTY-SrXTir INFANTRY. 
Nelson Kcnnoy, Co. G ; died of disease at Alexaruhia, Va., Dec. 20, 1803. 

TWKNTY-SKVKNTII INFANTRY. 
Edwin P. Wuneii, Co. H ; must, out July 1, ISii.'i. 

THIRTIETH INFANTRY. 
Abnnn R. Colburn, N. C. S. ; must, cut June 30, 18G5. 
Oscar Denning, Co. D; must, out June 30, 1865. 
Thaddeus Eddington, Co. A ; must, uut Juno 30, 18G5. 
Thomas B. Farley, Co. A ; must, out Juue 30, 1865. 
Jam^B E. Foster, Co. I> ; nuist. out June .30, 1865. 
Charles A. Gilbert, Co. A ; nuibt. out June .30, 1865. 
Jamer) A. Kent, C^. D ; must, out Juno 30, 1865. 
Alex. Lcsprence, Co. I) ; niuit. out June 30, 1865. 
Floyd Moulton, Co. A ; must, out June 30, 1865. 
John Sulliviin, Co. A ; must, out June 30, 1865. 
Peter H. Van Etten, Co. A ; must, out Jnno 30, 1865. 
Aaa Woolcott, Co. H ; must, out Juno 30, 1865. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND U. S. COLORED TROOPS. 

John Dclany, Co. B; must, out Sept. 30, 18G5. 
George H. Coins, Co. R ; must, out Sept. 30, 1865. 
George C. Smitli, Co. B; must, out Sept. 30, 1865. 
John Saunders, Co. B ; must, out Sept. 30, 1865. 
John H. Thuraaa, Co.C; must, out Sept. 30, 1865. 
Charles Johns, Co. I ; must, out Sept. 30, iSOo. 

DUESLER'S SHARPSHOOTERS. 
James Curtis, Benjamin Carter, Elisha R. Philo, Wallace W. Root, Byron E. 
Williams. 

FIFTH NEW YORK INFANTRY (DURYEA'S ZOUAVES). 
F. D. Newbeny, enl. in April, 1861 ; must. <»ut May 14, 1803; with regiment in 
the principal battles of the Army of the Potomac. 

ELEVENTH CONNECTICUT INFANTRY. 

C. V. R. Pond, acting q.-m. Sept. 30, 1861; commissioned q,-m. in 12th Conn. 
Inf.; took part in the naval engagement at Fort Jackson and in the tap- 
Hire of New Orleans ; disch. March 4, 1864. 

FIRST CAVALRY. 

Samuel L. Brass, Ovid, 2il lieut., April 11, 1865; must, out, March 10, i860, with 

regiment. 
Barton S. Tibbits, Coldwater, 2d lieut. (as sergt.), July 10, 1865; must, out 

March 10, 1866, with regiment. 
William Bronson, Co. B; must, out March 10, 1866. 
John Dennis, Co. C ; must, out Dec. 5, 1865, 
Elisha Demarest, Co. M ; must, (mt March 25, 1866. 
Edwin Fox, Co. G ; must, out Dec. 5, 1865. 
Charles Prentis, Co. I ; must, out Dec. 5, 1865. 
James J. Pendill, Co. K ; must, out May U, 1866. 
Lucius Stray, Co. E ; must, out March 2, 1865 

SECOND CAVALRY. 

William H. Tallman, Coldwater, 2d lient., March I, 1864; capt., Oct. 7, 1864; 

Inms., Juno 8, 1865, to 130th U. S. C. T. 
Henry W. Walker, Ovid, 1st lieut. and qnarlermaster, July 31, 1865; not must. 
Washington Buliton, Co. G; must out Aug. 17, 1864. 
John M. Colwell, Co. I ; died of disease at Rienzi, MiiS., Aug. 13, 1862. 
George W. Hand, Co. M ; must, out Aug. 17, 1805. 
Henry G. Johnsoti, Co. G ; must, out June 3, 1865. 
Nelson Norton, Co. II; must, out Aug.3ii, 1K65. 
Frank Zahninger, Co. M ; must, out Juno 17, 1865. 

THIRD CAVALRY. 

John C. Itaker, Co. K ; died of disease at St. L4mis, Mo., April 7, 1864. 

Charles A. Cook, Co. M ; must, out Feb. 12, 1866. 

Thomas Davis, Co. F; died uf disease at Rieiizi, Mi>8., July 25, 1862. 

Fred Eberluird, Co. A ; dird of disease at DuvhU's BlufT, Ark., July 2:1, 1864. 

George Ilawley, Co. G ; must, out Feb. 12, 1866. 

13 



Henry M. Lily, Co. A; must, out Feb. 12, 1806. 

Theodore Oliver, Co. A ; died of »lise:iac at Brownsville, .irk., Aug. 25, 1864. 

Mike Reynolds, Co. G; must, out Feb. 12, 1866. 

John Vorhees, Co. K; died of disea.se at Brownsville, Ark., Aug. 25, 1864. 

Martin Vanderhoof, Co. M; mu-^t. out Feb. 12, 1866. 

Jasper L. Wooden, Co. A; must, out March 17, 1866. 

SEVENTH CAVALRY. 

Edward Carr, Co. F; trans, to Ist Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 

Elisba Deniorest, Co. H; trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 

Peter M. Dubeiidorf, Co. M; must, out Dec. 8, 1865. 

James Eldred, Co. C ; must, uut March 27. 1865. 

Charb-s Goodrich, Co. M; trans, to 1st Mich. Civ., Nov. 17, 186.3. 

Michael Kanouso, Co. F; must, out Dec, 15, 1865. 

Moses Kauousc, Co. F; must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 

Spencer Leigh, Co. H; must, out Dec. 15, 1865, 

William Marshall, Co. H; must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 

William Millinuin, Co. H; must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 

Charles H.Ostt-rbout, Co. L; must, out Doc. 15, 1865, 

William S. Page, Co. A; trans, to 1st Mich. Cav., Nov. 17, 1865. 

Minard 0. Van Gilder, Co. H ; must, out Dec. 8, 1865. 

Colbert Van Gieson, Co. E; must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 

George 0. Vau Gieson, Co. E; must, out Dec. 15, 1865. 

MERRILL HORSE. 
lleiiry II. Larkin, Co. L ; must, out May 4, 1865. 

BATTERY C, FIRST LIGHT ARTILLERY. 
Harry Bn'wn. 

John F. Button, mustered nut .June 24, 1865. 

Benjamin Cole, died in ho><pital at Camp Clear Creek, July 16, 1862. 
George W. Cole, must, out June 22, 1865. 
Warren R. Corey, must, out June 24, 1865. 
Merrill Fuller, must, out June 24, 1865. 
Hiram Ferguson, must, out June 24, 1865. 
Albridgc F. Haldlay, must, out June 24, 1865. 
William H. Harris, must, out June 24, 1865. 

William A. Hall, died in hospital at St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 18, 1862. 
George W. Houck, must, out Juno 24, 1865. 
Seymour H. Hoyle, must, out June 24, 1865. 
Amos Hunt, disch. fur disability, -April 1, 1863. 
Lorenzo Leffingwell, must out June 24, 1865. 
Lorenzo Mosher, must, out June 24, 1865. 
Adelbort Mudge, must, out June 24, 1865. 
John C. McLean, must, out by order. 
John S. Nichols, must, out June 24. 1865. 

William Sweeney, disch. to re-ouUst as veteran, Dec. 28, 1S63. 
Thomas J. Stewart, disch. by order, June 24, 1865. 
Joseph Tiilibs, must, out Juno 24, 1865. 
Henry H. Wilber. 

Hiram Wisf r, ninst. out June 24, 1865. 
Ira A. Wright, must out by order, July 6, 1865. 
George Winter, must, out June 22, 1865. 

BATTERY E. 
William H. Barry, must, out Aug. 30, 1865. 
Ezra C. Cluisc, tliscb. by ordef. May 29, 1865. 
Porter B. Hewitt, trans, to Vet. Res. Corps, Oct. 18, 1864. 
Alonzo Riindall, must, out Aug. 30, 186.5. 

B.\TTERY I. 

Th.-nuwi Brady. 

Theodore tJraig, must, out July 14, 1865. 

W. H. Compton, discb. for disjibility, Dec. 22, 1862. 

Elisha H. Colwell, must, out July 14, 1805. 

Moses Crawford, must, out July 14, 1865. 

William Davis, disch for disability, April 27. 

Elijah Forbes, must, out July 14, 1865. 

John M. C. Forbes, must, out July 14, 1865. 

Henry Hoag, must, out July 14, 1865. 

John Jonlan, must, out July 14, 1865. 

William Kennedy, died of disease at Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 16, 1864. 

Jerome Millimau, must, out July 14, 1865. 

Seth Milliman, must, out July 14, 1805. 

Leonard Pmscll, mn^t. out July 14, 1865. 

Alfred Reynolds, must, out July 14, 1865. 

George Sutford, died of disea*ie at Washington, D. C, March 2, 1863. 

William S. Smith, must, out July 14, 1865. 

William J. Scott, must, out July 14, 1865. 

John Sage, must, out July 14, 1866, 

John N. Warren, must, out July 14, 1865. 

Harvey M. Williams, must, out July 14, 1865. 

A. B. Zimmerman, disch. for disability, Oct. 24, 1862. 

BATTERY K. 
Marsden Miller, must, out July 22, 1865. 
R;ins..m Simmons, must, out Aug. 22, 1865. 



98 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



BATTERY L. 

Isaac BarjaroD, disch. for disability, Jan. 13, 1865. 

Stephen M. P. Bates, died of disease at Knoxville, Oct. 25, 1864. 

Kolnnd Collingsworth, must, out Aug. 22, 1865. 

Albftrt S. Cooper, must, out by order, May 27, 1865. 

Benjamin Douglass, must, out by order, July 22, 1865. 

Calvin Darwin, must, out Aug. 22, 18G5. 

John Finch, must, out Aug. 22, 1865. 

John Granger, disch. for disability, April 1, 1864. 

James Gallup, disch. by order, Sept. 26, 1865. 

Henry Goodrich, disch. by order. May 22, 1865. 

Henry Hopkins, disch. by order, Nov. 21, 1864. 

Robert M. Hazard, must, out Aug. 22, 1865. 

John Huffman, must, out Aug. 22, 1865. 

David Hopkins, died of disease at Camp Nelson, Ky.,Scpt. 18, 1863. 

Orrin J. Harding, must out. Aug. 22, 1S63. 

Daniel C. Larrabee, must, out by order, May 24, 1865. 

Miirsden Miller, must. out. 

Peter Nagle. 

Gaines Rudd, died of disease at Ashland, Ky., Sept. 1, 1863. 

Isaac A. Rapright, must, out Aug. 22, 1865, 

Van Rensselaer Sherman, must, out Aug. 22, 1865. 

Yickery Jackson, disch. by order. 

Stephen Wilcox, must, out Aug. 22, 1865. 

BATTERY M. 

George H. Moulton, Coldwater, 2d lieut. ; enl. July 16, 1863 ; 1st lieut, Oct. 26, 

1863 ; must, out Aug. 1, 1865, with battery. 
George Stewart, disch. by order, May 29, 1S65. 

CLEVELAND LIGHT ARTILLERY. 
Levi Fish, enl. April 18, 1861; disch. July 28, 1861 ; in battle of Carrick's Ford. 

FIRST REGIMENT ENGINEERS AND MECHANICS. 
Hiram A. Blackman, Co. K ; discii. for disability. 
Levi H. Curtis, Co. E ; disch. at end of service, Feb. 15, 1865. 



CHAPTEK XXV. 

BBANCH COUNTS' SINCE THE WAR. 

The Returning Volunteers — Business Speculation — The Panic — Com- 
parison with "Wild-Cat" Times — Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake 
Michigan Railroad — Air-Line Division of Michigan Central — 
Cereal Products of Branch County — The Last Census — Taxable 
Land and Improved Land — Principal Productions in 1874 — End 
of Consecutive History. 

After the war the volunteers who came thronging hack 
by thousands to their old homes indulged in but a brief 
interval of recreation, and then plunged with the usual 
American ardor into the various avocations of peace. The 
facilities were ample for business of all kinds, — more ample 
than safe. The currency had become both depreciated and 
inflated by the war, so that money was plenty and property 
was high. To a sanguine people it seemed as if every 
enterprise which was proposed must necessarily succeed. 
There were few left to tell how speculation with an inflated 
currency resulted in 1835, '36, and '37, and to a consid- 
erable extent the people followed the old track. Excite- 
ment, over-trading, extravagant expenditure, and reckless 
speculation became the order of the day. Ordinary farm- 
ing-land rose to prices varying from fifty to one hundred dol- 
lars per acre, and village property advanced still more in 
proportion. Nearly everybody became rich — on paper. 

At length, in the fall of 1873, speculation reached its 
utmost limit of expansion, the bubble burst, and a panic 
ensued. The reign of " hard times" ensued, from which 
even now the country is only barely beginning to recover. 
Branch County shared the seeming prosperity of the days 



of speculation, and the adversity which necessarily followed, 
in common with the rest of the United States ; but, being 
in the very home of the ferocious " wild-cat" and the rabid 
" red-dog" of forty years before, there is a peculiarly good 
opportunity to trace the financial resemblances of the two 
periods. 

There was one material difierence. In the panic of 
1837 nearly the whole currency of the country became 
absolutely worthless within a short period after the first 
alarm was given. In that of 1873 the currency was sus- 
tained by the pledge of the Government that it should be 
redeemed in coin, which the people generally believed, and 
which has just been carried out. Consequently, the cur- 
rency stood firm amid the surrounding wreck, and the 
disaster was not half as severe as that inflicted in 1837 by 
the financial monsters before alluded to. 

Among the enterprises begun during the " flush times," 
and brought to at least a temporary stand-still by the 
" hard times," the most important one affecting Branch 
County was the Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan 
Railroad. This road, beginning at Mansfield, in the State 
of Ohio, was designed to traverse that State and Indiana 
in a northwesterly direction, cross the old line of the Jlich- 
igan Southern at Coldwater, and continue in the same 
general direction to Lake Michigan, at Grand Haven. 

Large subscriptions were obtained in Branch County, 
and a line was surveyed through the townships of Califor- 
nia, Algansee, Ovid (the northeast corner), Coldwater, and 
Girard. Most of the track through those townships was 
graded, and it was confidently expected that a very brief 
period would give the farmers of Branch County another 
outlet to the markets of the East. But " hard times" was 
too great an obstruction for the financial engineers of the 
Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michigan Railroad to over- 
come or evade ; the work was abandoned, and a long, 
dreary embankment is all that now remains in Branch 
County to remind the traveler of that intended highway 
of commerce. A large section of the road is, however, in 
use in Ohio, and a small one near its northern end, and 
there is reason to believe that, as the financial condition of 
the country shall improve, means will be found to complete 
this important work. 

Another, and a more successful undertaking, was the 
construction of the Air-Line Division of the Michigan 
Central Railroad. This division extends from Jackson to 
Niles, traversing in Branch County the townships of Union 
and Sherwood, and the northwest corner of Mattison. 
This, being the shortest, is now the main line of travel for 
that road. 

But though railroads, as well as manutitcturing enter- 
prises, undoubtedly enhance the prosperity of the regions 
in which they are situated, yet the main reliance of Branch 
County is and must ever be its fertile soil, deep, rich, and 
almost inexhaustible, and abundantly supplied with water 
by the numerous lakes and streams which diversify its sur- 
face. This no " hard times" can take away, and naught 
but a reversal of the order of nature will prevent its re- 
warding the labors of the farmer with an ample harvest. 
The following table shows some of the principal products 
at the date of the last attainable report: 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



99 



Cei'cal Products o/ Uranch Connty rahed tn 1S77, a>id ou the Groitud 
iti 287S. 



Whole County 

Algan»oe 

lliititvja 

Bethel 

Iti'oiition 

Butler 

Culifornia 

Colli wtiter 

City 

" " Ist ward 

Gilead 

Ginird 

Kinclorhook 

Mattison 

Noble 

Ovid 

Qiiincy 

Sherwood 

Coion (estimated) 





H 


£ 


g 


^ 


< 










iS 


S 








g« 


■3 


2 








■< 


62(),0o:i 


13.10 


30,573 


2,(389 


4U,22:i 


14.90 


2.jri7 


32,500 


14.40 


2,;iiii 


31,841 


13.75 


2,KTG 


•12,14" 


14.72 


2,02!) 


29,4112 


11.18 


l,,')liU 


23,484 


14.97 


2,001 


30,411 


1.5.18 


15 


150 


10 1 


15 


15U 


10 I 


2,253 


32,1)72 


14.50| 


3,259 


44,747 


13.73 


1,05:! 


2^201 


15.89 


2,715 


3C,8II] 


13.501 


2.1157 


28,847 


14.03 


2,725 


39,281 


14.42 


2,:i77 


32,593 


13.71 


3,001 


45,399 


12.01 


2,5.8 


33,927 






a 3 



3,128 
2,042 1 
2,050 
3,107 
3,tKII 
1,.577 
2,241 



2,502 
3,029 
1,S.5» 
2,877 
2,100 
2,955 
2,084 
4,009 



30,782 

2,0181 

2,475 

2,380 

2,2)8 

2.094 

907 

2,094 1 

40 

40 1 

1,911 

2,236; 

1,214 

2,268 

1,519 

1,921 ; 

2,457 
2,375: 



a, 2; 



8794 01 2024 
246 
189 
208 
105 
208 
93 



8321 

077 , 

COO . 

,5:41 

572l 

210 13 

G3o; 6, 193 

3 ... 

3]... 
222 1 ... 

244 24 
738 



23S . 
082 1 
1020' 
647 , 



100 
203 
92 
192 
111 
212 
227 
177 



The last complete census of the State was taken in 1874. 
At that time the population of Branch County was twenty- 
five thousand seven hundred and twenty-six. Of these, 
eleven thousand two hundred and forty-two were married, 
being thirty-four and six-sevenths per cent, of the whole 
number. 

The amount of taxable land at that time was three hun- 
dred and seventeen thousand three hundred and eighty-six 
acres ; the number of acres of improved land was one hun- 
dred and sixty-eight thousand four hundred and three. 
The following table shows the principal productions of the 
county at that time, and we presume there has been no 
great change since then : 



Bushels of wheat 4Sfi,689 

liiLshcls of potatoes 13a,3fi6 

Tons of hay 23,489 

I'ounds of wool 101,648 

I'ooiuls of pork (luarkctctl) 2,1)13,828 

Pounds of cheese 49,636 

I'ounds of butter 539.444 

liarrelsof eiilcr 7,920 

fi.iMons of nine (est.) 4,000 

Pounds of mai)le-sugar 51,908 

Horses, 1 year old and over 9,890 

Mules 94 

Work oxen 318 

Milch cows 10,504 

Other cattle, 1 year old and over 11,140 

Swine, over fi months 1G,R32 

Sheep, over G months 46,604 



At the same time there were twenty-two fiouring-mills in 
the county, three being run by steam and nineteen by 
water. They contained sixty-five runs of stone, and pro- 
duced during the year one hundred and thirty-four thou- 
sand nine hundred and fifty-four barrels of flour. There 
were also, besides seven planing-mills, fifty-two saw-mills, 
thirty-five propelled by steam and seventeen by water, the 
whole number producing fourteen million one hundred and 
eighty-four thousand feet of lumber. 

We have now given a rough consecutive history of 
Branch County from the earliest times to the present day. 
To this we will now subjoin a few chapters devoted to .spe- 
cial subjects which could not well be made a part of the 
connected account. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE PEESS OF BRANCH COUNTY. 

General Uemarks — The Basis of this Chapter — The Michigan Star — 
The Coldwater Observer — The Branch County Democrat — The 
Coldwater Sentinel — The Branch County Journal — The Branch 
County Republican — The Branch County Gazette — The Demo- 
cratic Union — The Southern Michigan News — The Coldivater 
Union Sentinel — The Republican — The Brouson Herald — The 
Union City Independent — The Quincy Times — The Union City 
Register — The Literary Reporter — The Greenbacker — The Quincy 
Herald — The Coldwater Weekly Press. 

The press is so widely recognized as an institution of 
unrivaled importance, and its influence, cither for good or 
evil, in each county is of such a general nature (extending 
certainly to the farthest limits of the county, if not beyond), 
that it is the practice of the publishers of this and similar 
works to consider the various newspapers of a county not 
as local matters pertaining to the places in which they arc 
published, but as subjects of general interest, to which a 
chapter of the general histuiy of the county should in each 
case be devoted. In this chapter of the present work is 
given a concise sketch of the various newspapers of Branch 
County. It is based on an article published by Hon. Har- 
vey Haynes, of Coldwater, on the same subject, and con- 
siderable portions of that article are incorporated in it. 
Some additions and changes have been made, however, — 
some reminiscences of early newspapers have been obtained 
from Hon. E. G. Fuller and others, and several files of 
journals have been carefully examined for facts on this 
subject. 

THE MICHIGAN STAR. 

The first new.spaper published in Branch County was the 
Michigan Star, the first number of which was issued by 
the " Branch County Printing Company," at the village of 
Branch, then the county-seat, in May, 1837. It was under 
the editorial supervision of Mr. Charles P. West, then 
county clerk, who edited the paper with spirit and ability. 
But it was generally conceded among the knowing ones 
that when anything extremely cute was to be written, the 
pen of his sister. Miss Laura West, was called into requisi- 
tion. The life of this paper, however, like " terrestrial 
happiness," was of short duration. The population of the 
county was sparse, much sickness prevailed among the pio- 
neers, and the rival village gave it no encouragement, hence 
less than a year (we believe it barely lived through the next 
winter) ended the career of the Miclii';/<iii Star. It was 
Democratic in politics, though rather I'riendly to the Whigs, 
who had no organ of their own in the county. 

THE COLDW.VTER OBSEllVER. 

The people of Coldwater knew full well that it would 
never do to let the rival village monopolize the printing of 
the county. They were striving at every opportunity to 
procure tlie removal of the county-scat to their own locality, 
and it was quite likely that the existence of a newspaper in 
Branch, and the non-existence of one in Coldwater, might 
decide the result of the struggle. Thomas N. Calkins and 
E. G. Fuller (the former being one of the physicians, and 
the latter the only lawyer, of Coldwater) circulated a sub- 



100 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



scription paper, and the business men of Coldwater promptly 
subscribed — it was in the flush times, just before the great 
panic — enough to buy a press and a supply of type. Dr. 
Calkins was to be the principal editor and manager, but 
Mr. Fuller assisted largely in the editorial work. 

The proprietors procured the services of J. Ketchum 
Averill, the foreman of the Michigan Star, and the new 
paper was issued in his name as publisher, the actual owners 
being those who had subscribed to purchase the material. 
There was much excitement over the new paper, and great 
anxiety to get out the first number. Dr. Calkins had 
enough knowledge of printing to sot up type, — after a 
fashion, — and he frequently worked busily at the case. 
One day, when the hurry was greatest, he called on Mr. 
Fuller to help set type, and the latter, who had never at- 
tempted .such a task before, managed, with much tribulation, 
to arrange a " stick-full" in the cour.se of an hour. He 
afterwards set up type enough to print one column, but 
this closed his experience as a printer. 

At length the first number was issued, on the 18th day 
of July, 1837, and great was the rejoicing of the Coldwater 
people thereat. It was called the Coldwafer Observer. A 
considerable part of the first number was devoted to a de- 
scription of the celebration of the Fourth of July, then just 
past, at Coldwater, including a remarkably good oration by 
Dr. Calkins. The doctor was a fine speaker, and a peculiarly 
able writer, but these gifts were but doubtful benefits to him, 
as he was fonder of making speeches and writing editorials 
than of attending to the more lucrative duties of his pro- 
fession. 

The Observer was a journal of Democratic tendencies, 
and the doctor's vigorous editorials attracted wide attention 
from his brethren of that party. In less than a year he 
was offered a position as editor, or one of the editors, of 
the Detroit Free Press, then, as now, the leading Demo- 
cratic journal in Michigan, at a salary of one thouisand 
dollars a year, which was at that time considered a very 
large sum. He accepted the offer, but only remained on 
the Free Press one year. He afterwards edited a paper at 
Ann Arbor. 

He was succeeded as editor of the Observer by another 
physician. Dr. Bement, who changed the name of the jour- 
nal to the Branch Counti/ News, and under him it was 
about as much Independent as Democratic. He, however, 
lefl the 'county in a few months, and though the paper 
maintained a feeble existence a little longer, its jjublication 
was soon entirely suspended. 

THE BRANCH COUNTY DEMOCRAT. 
Some months after, two young men named Jocelyn and 
Horton, took the material in charge, and published a very 
clever journal, under the name of the Brunch Couutij 
Democrat ; but some misunderstanding occurring between 
them and the owners of the press, the type were knocked 
into " pi." Thus ended the second attempt to establish a 
paper in Coldwater. The Democrat was decidedly Demo- 
cratic. 

THE COLDWATER SENTINEL. 

These repeated failures were rather discouraging, and for 
a while Branch County was without a newspaper ; but in 



April, 1841, Mr. Albert Chandler, then an active young 
man and a practical printer, was induced to take hold of 
the business. On or about the 12th of that month he 
issued the first number of a Democratic journal, called the 
Coldwater Sentinel ; that number being dressed in mourn- 
ing on account of the death of President Harrison. From 
that time to the present Branch County has never been 
without at least one newspaper. 

Mr. Chandler was young, active, industrious, and, withal, 
ble-ssed with a sound judgment. He made a good, readable, 
and permanent paper, remaining at the head of the business 
for nearly eight years. Files have been preserved in the 
ofiBce of the present Coldwater Jiejvihlican, beginning 
April 12, 1844, that number being designated as Vol. IV., 
No. 1. It was a four-page sheet, twenty inches by thirty- 
two, filled with good reading matter, and thorough-going 
Democracy, as distinguished from Whigism. The nomi- 
nation of Polk and Clay took place shortly after, and the 
Sentinel did yeoman service throughout the campaign in 
favor of the former. The firm-name of the proprietors was 
then Chandler & Haynes, Mr. Albert Chandler being the 
editor and John T. Haynes the junior partner. 

In the forepart of 1846 the firm became Chandler & 
Stillman, the junior partner being Dr. Henry B. Stillman, 
who had recently been county clerk. In September of the 
same year Dr. Stillman gave way to Mr. David Waterman, 
and the firm-name became Chandler & Waterman. In the 
month of November, 1847, the office and material were 
leased for a year to Mr. Samuel K. Christy. Wc believe 
that Mr. Chandler retained an interest in the paper until 
1849, when Mr. Elihu B. Pond became editor and pro- 
prietor. 

Mr. Pond began a " new series" of the Sentinel, of which 
No. 1, Vol. I. was dated on the 7th of December, 1849. 
He was an active, able man, and made the paper a decided 
success. It was now somewhat increased in size, being 
under Mr. Pond's administration twenty-two inches by 
thirty-six. 

In June, 1854, S. W. Driggs and the late Col. H. C. 
Gilbert purchased the paper, and Col. Gilbert wielded the 
pen as editor with tact and talent. He was an early settler 
of Coldwater, having moved thither from New York in 
1841. He was a lawyer by profession. Active, untiring 
whatever he undertook was sure to succeed if within his 
power. In 1862 he enlisted in the cause of his country 
as' colonel of the 19th Michigan Infantry, and after two 
years of active service was mortally wounded at Resaca, 
Ga., while leading his regiment upon the enemy's works. 
After a few days of suffering he was relieved by death. 
His remains were brought home and interred in Oak Grove 
Cemetery, there, by the side of father, mother, sister, 
brother, and son, to sleep the sleep that knows no waking. 

In the fall of 1856, Messrs. Driggs & Gilbert sold to 
Barrett & Reynolds, who conducted the paper some two 
years, Mr. Reynolds being the editor. He, too, was a pio- 
neer boy, a son of the late Deacon Reynolds, of Coldwater. 

Barrett & Reynolds in turn sold the Sentinel to Judge 
J. H. Gray, also a Branch County pioneer, but now a res- 
ident of Virginia. By him the press was sold, and went to 
Port Huron, where it was used to print the Port Huron 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



101 



Press. Through all its changes the Sentinel was Demo- 
cratic in politics. 

THE BRANCH COUNTY JOURNAL. 

This, the tiisl Whig newspaper in the county, was started 
at Coldwater on the 11th day of November, 1851, by B. F. 
Thompson. It was a four-page sheet, with seven columns 
on a page. Its first number announced that the cars were 
running over the Southern Michigan Railroad as far west 
as South Bend, Ind., and stated that, from the rapid rate 
of progress in road-building, it was expected they would 
reach Chicago by the Lst of January following. Although 
that work went on with extraordinary rapidity yet it did 
not f|uite make good the hope of the newspaper, the road 
being finished to Chicago in the spring of 1852. 

Mr. Thompson's father became part owner of the Jonrnnl 
in June, 1852, the firm-name being C. A. & B. F. Thomp- 
son. On the 8th of March, 1853, it was transferred to 
E. J. Hard and H. B. Robinson. These gentlemen con- 
ducted it about two years, and sold it to Messrs. Barns & 
Way, who published it for a year or more, when it was sold 
to Bates Dewey and Clinton B. Fisk. These in turn sold 
to E. B. Dewey, who removed the press to Elkhart. 

Up to 1855 the Jonrnnl continued to advocate Whig 
principles, but on the di.sbanding of the Whig and the or- 
ganization of the Republican parly, the Jonrnal adopted 
the hitter's views, and thencelbrth supported them with 
fairness and ability. 

THE BRANCH COUNTY REPUBLICAN. 

In the fall of 1857, Messrs. Eddy & Gray commenced 
tlie publication of the Branch Comity UepubUcan, which, 
as its name implied, supported the principles of the party 
of freedom. Its proprietors being active and attentive to 
business, the Jiepnblicmi was soon a power in the county, 
and took a decided lead under the editorial control of those 
competent gentlemen, Mr. Eddy acting as editor-in-chief. 
In about a year and a half Mr. Eddy sold to Mr. J. A. Boyd, 
who after a short time sold to Judge Gray. He, with his 
son Horace J. Graj', continued to make a good paper until 
1861, when they sold to F. B. Way, who changed the name 
to the Branch County Gazette. 

THE BRANCH COUNTY GAZETTE. 

Notwithstanding the change of name,' this paper was de- 
cidedly Republican in politics, and throughout the war was 
the leading and almost the only Republican paper in the 
county. It supported tiie administration of President Lin- 
coln with untiring zeal, and its columns were cou.stantly in 
use to urge the maintenance of the I'niun and the vigorous 
prosecution of the war. 

Mr. Way, being in poor health, at length sold to Mcssi-s. 
Brewer & Burr. J. H. McGowan, E.s(|., now member of 
Congress from this district, was editor a part of the time 
that the paper was owned by Messrs. Brewer & Burr, and 
was succeeded by C. P. Benton. In 18G8 the Gazette was 
sold to the owners of the present RepuUican, and consol- 
idated with that paper. 

THK DEMOCRATIC UNION. 
In 18')y a journal with the above name was commenced 
at Coldwater, by J. L. llackstaff, and by him conducted 



until 18(51, when patriotism induced him to go to the war, 
and the paper was discontinued. It was a spicy sheet and 
Democratic during its brief existence. 

THE SOUTHERN MICHIGAN NEWS. 

The Southern Michigan News was brought out for pub- 
lic favor at Coldwater in 1863, by T. G. Turner, Es(|., but 
its existence was short, for its editor went to the war and 
the publication was suspended. This paper was Republican 
in politics. 

THE COLDWATER UNION SENTINEL. 

In 1864 the fixtures of the Neics were purchased by F. 
V. Smith and W. G. Moore, who started the Coldwater 
Union Sentinel, and published it several years. It was full 
of local news, and it is safe to say that in that department 
it has never been excelled by any paper printed in the 
county. It was of large size and printed in fine type (bre- 
vier and nonpareil), and for a country paper contained an 
immense amount of reading matter. It supported the Union 
cause, but was most thoroughly Democratic in polities, full 
of vim, and waged hot warfare with the opposing Gazette 
and Republican. 

In 1870, Messrs. Smith & Moore sold out to Gibson 
Brothers, who continued the Sentinel as a lively Demo- 
cratic journal until the building in which it was printed 
was partially burned and the press seriously injured, when 
the publication of the paper ceased. 

THE REPUBLICAN. 

On the 23d of August, 1866, Major D. J. Easton— 
then lately from the ranks of the 19th Michigan Infantry, 
in which he had done gallant service for three years — started 
The Republican, at Coldwater. Like all its predecessors, 
it was a weekly paper, but was more ambitious as to size 
than any of them, being an eight-page sheet, each page 
having five columns and being twelve inches by twenty in 
dimensions, — the whole paper being twenty-four inches by 
forty. It was from the start a thoroughly Republican 
journal, and has so continued from that time till this. 

In December, 1866, Dr. P. P. Nichols purchased an 
interest in the Republican and became one of the editors. 
Messrs. Easton & Nichols issued a wide awake Republican 
paper for about a year, when they sold out to Messrs. W. 
J. & O. A. Bowen. The latter is understood to-iiave been 
the editor-in-chief, although the former also contributed to 
the editorial columns. 

In 1868, as before stated, the owners of the Republican 
purchased the Branch County Gazette, and since then the 
consolidated paper has held the unipiestioned position of 
the principal Republican journal of the county. 

In a short time, Mr. 0. A. Bowen sold out his interest 
to go to Montana. The new firm was Bowen, Dunham & 
Moore, and these were ere long succeeded by Bowen, Rose 
& Skeels, the last-named gentleman, Mr. F. L. Skeels, doing 
the larger part of the editorial work. During and notwith- 
standing all these changes, the Ripublican continued to be 
an able and interesting paper in both its political and its 
news columns. 

Early in 1873, Messrs. A. J. Aldrich & Co. bought out 



102 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the last-named proprietors of the Republican, and liave 
ever since remained its owners, publishers, and editors. 
On the 23d of August, 1875, Aldrieh & Co. made a new 
venture in Branch County journalism, bringing out their 
paper as a semi-weekly. The enterprise proved successful. 
and the Repuhlican has appeared twice a week ever since. 
Although strongly devoted to its party, it is noted for its 
independence of thought and expression, — an independence 
alike creditable to its proprietors and supporters. Mate- 
rially speaking, the Repuhlican is now a four-page twenty- 
four column sheet, twenty-four inches by thirty-six, well 
printed on good paper, and presenting a most acceptable 
appearance to the eye as well as the mind of the reader. 

THE BllONSOX HERALD. 

This was the first paper published in the county outside 
of Coldwater, except that pioneer of journalism, the Michi- 
gan Star, at Branch. The Herald was established in the 
fall of 1SC5 at the village of Bronson, by T. Babcock & 
Co., who brought the press from Hudson, Lenawee Co. 
It was neutral in politics, but must have been a very 
acceptable paper, as its circulation was at one time, we 
believe, between six hundred and seven hundred. But as 
the star of empire was moving westward rapidly, the pro- 
prietors of the Herald suspended its publication in the fall 
of 1871, and made their way toward the setting sun, halt- 
ing in Adams Co., Neb., where, at the latest advices, they 
were publishing a journal called the Adams County Ga- 
zette, on the press formerly employed in Bronson. 

THE UNION CITY INDEPENDENT. 

This pioneer of Union City journalism was established 
in that village in October, 1867, by Dr. Alexander H. 
Pattee. It closed its brief existence in the summer of 
1868. 

THE QUINCY TIMES. 

This paper, the first journalistic venture in the village 
whose name it bears, was established on the 1 1 th of Sep- 
tember, 1868, as a six-column folio, weekly, by R. W. 
Lockhart, being then, as ever since, non-partisan in senti- 
ment. At the end of six months it was purchased by 
Ebenezer Mudge, S. Mowrey, and L. L. Briggs, who pub- 
lished it under the firm-name of " The Times Company," 
the first-named gentleman being the editor. Under this 
administration the number of columns per page was in- 
creased from six to seven, and then to eight. The paper 
was managed to the satisfaction of the community, and soon 
attained a circulation of about five hundred. 

On the 25th of March, 1876, Jlr. A. C. Culver pur- 
chased the Times, and became the sole editor and proprie- 
tor. His cour.se has been equally satisfactory, and although 
it was deemed best in February, 1877, to reduce the num- 
ber of columns per page from eight to sis. yet the journal 
in question has never had a better standing nor had a 
better support than at the present time. 

THE UNION CITY REGISTER. 

The Register began its existence on the 20th of August, 
1869, Major D. J. Easton (the founder of the Coldwater 
Ripuhlicau) and Mr. Jerome Bowen being its originators. 



It was then as now a seven-column folio, twenty-two inches 
by thirty-six, and was then as now decidedly Republican 
in its politics. After about two years, Mr. Bowen sold his 
interest, since which time the major has been sole editor 
and proprietor. Major Kaston's personal popularity, ready 
pen, and business skill have made the paper a decided suc- 
cess, and it now numbers some nine hundred subscribers. 
The Register is printed on a steam-press, and is in every 
respect up to the times, and a credit to the place which 
supports it. 

THE COLDWATER REPORTER. 

This journal was first issued as an independent paper, 
at Coldwater, in 1872, by J. S, Conover. It was con- 
ducted by him for a little over a year, when he sold it to 
J. A. Hull. In the year 1874 Mr. Hull disposed of the 
Reporter to Messrs. Knowlos and Thorpe. In the fore- 
part of 1876 Mr. Thorpe sold his interest to Mr. J. S. 
Egabroad. Of late, Mr. Egabroad, as sole editor, has 
given the paper a decidedly Democratic turn ; and, being a 
forcible and vivacious writer, has made it quite a lively 
and militant sheet. 

THE LITERARY REPORTER. 

This six-column monthly quarto, employed largely as an 
advertising medium, has been issued by C. W. Bennett, at 
Quincy, since December, 1872. It has a circulation of 
six hundred copies. 

THE GREENBACKER. 

The Greenhacker was established at the village of 
Quincy, in May, 1878, by L. E. Jacobs; and, as may be 
inferred from its name, was devoted to the principles of the 
" Greenback'' party. It advocated the success of " Green- 
back" doctrine with great vigor until October 1 of the same 
year, when it ceased for lack of greenbacks. 

THE QUINCY HERALD. 

On the 1st of November, 1878, Mr. C. V. R. Pond, 
having obtained the material of the late Grcenhacl-er, es- 
tablished a small but lively weekly at Quincy, called the 
Herald, which still enjoys an apparently healthy existence 
at that village. 

COLDWATER WEEKLY PRESS. 

This journal began its existence in October, 1877, as a 
four-page, six-column weekly ; its founders being B. L. 
Kingston and J. L. Dennis. On the 17th of the succeed- 
ing month Mr. D. D. Waggott bought the share of Mr. 
Dennis, and on the 1st of March, 1878, purchased that of 
Mr. Kingston, becoming sole proprietor and editor, and 
remaining so until the present time. 

A daily was issued from the office from January 1 to 
March 15, 1878 ; but this effbrt was found to be too en- 
terprising even for so enterprising a city as Coldwater, and 
was given up. The weekly, however, immediately after 
the stoppage of the daily, was enlarged to seven columns 
per page, which is its present size. 

The Press supported the principles and candidates of the 
Greenback party with great energy during the campaign of 
1878, and still continues its advocacy of that party. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



103 



CHAPTKU XXV 11. 

THE STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL.* 

Its ITniquc Chamctor — Its Functions — Nature of other Ch.Trilablc 
Institutions — Oovornor Halilwin's Action — A .'<|it'iial Couimiasion — 
Tlioir Report — Joint Committee in the Legislature — Mr. Ranrlall 
Chairninn — Their llcport — .Vction of the Gram! Army — Mr. Rnn- 
ilall's Views — IIo presents a Rill — Its Supporters — Passage of tho 
Law — The Roard of Conimissiuners and Board of Control — Loca- 
tion of the Site — Buildings opened — Description of Them — Tho 
Law regarding Admission — Large Numbers Come — New Buildings 
— L. V. Aldcn, Superintendent — The Work done by the Children — 
Kcligiuua Services — Dress and Appearance of the Children — Their 
Health — Going into Families — Letters from Children — Specimen 
Letters — Improvements made since 1S75 — Number of Children 
who have been at School — Names of OtRcers and Employees. 

This institution, " The Michigan State Public School 
for Dependent Children," located at Coldwater, is believed 
to be the only one of its kind in the world, — that is, the 
only combined school and asylum established and main- 
tained by a State or nation which admits ail dependent 
children having no eflficicnt natural supporters, and which 
is without any of the attributes of a penal institution. 
We have called it a combined school and asylum, for such 
it is ; its official as well as common title of '' State Public 
School" only describes a portion of its functions. 

There have been numerous a.sylums which have also 
afforded education to orphans and others; but these were 
supported by private charity, and were generally local in 
their beneticeuce. States, too, of late years have o.stab- 
lished reformatory institutions whither children of evil 
tendencies were sent to be reclaimed to upright lives ; but it 
was reserved for Michigan to take the lead in establishing 
an institution in which every child within the jurisdiction 
of the State, who has no property and no one to take care 
of it, may be received, supported, and educated at the ex- 
pense of the State until a private home can be provided 
for it. Whether any evil will finally result to the com- 
munity by promoting the " shiftlessness" or imprudence of 
parents is yet to be seen ; thus far tho effect upon the 
children themselves, and indirectly upon the State, has 
been unquestionably good, — extremely good. 

The first official action in the chain of proceedings which 
resulted in the establishment of the State school at Cold- 
water was taken by Hon. H. P. Baldwin, who, in the fall 
of 1868, before assuming the duties of the office of gov- 
ernor, to which he had been elected, visited several of the 
State institutions and some of the county jails and poor- 
houses, and became convinced of the necessity of improve- 
ment in their general management, and of a revision of our 
laws relative to them. He, therefore, in his inaugural mes- 
sage recommended such a revision and the appointment of 
a commission to examine and consider the whole subject 
connected with our punitive and reformatory institutions, 



* Tho facts in this chapter arc derived from a paper on the school, 
prepared, at the request of the State Roard of Centennial Manager.^, for 
tho Centennial E.thibition, by Hon. C. D. Randall, from an address 
by Superintendent L. P. Aldcn on " The School and its Purposes," from 
the lifth annual report of the Board of Control, and from some minor 
documents. In many cases >vo have used tho language of the papers 
mentioned. 



which should report on or before tlie meeting of the next 
Legislature. In accordance with this r<c( iiiniendation a 
joint resolution (Laws of 1869, page 442) authorized, and 
the Governor appointed, the commission during that ses- 
sion. The appointees were Dr. S. S. Cutter, of Coldwater, 
Hon. C. I. Walker, of Detroit, and Hon. F. H. Rankin, of 
Flint, gentlemen eminently qualified for the peculiar and 
difficult work allotted them. They spent several months 
in their investigations, visiting many of the county and 
State institutions of Michigan, and also those of other 
States. Their report to the Legislature of 1871 was 
drafted by Hon. C. I. Walker, and was able and exhaustive, 
covering most of the questions in social reform which had 
attracted public attention, .showing careful research, and 
containing many valuable recommendations. 

In submitting this report, Gov. Baldwin, in his message 
in January, 1871, called especial attention to the facts and 
recommendations therein relative to dependent children, in 
and out of the county poor-houses, and asked for legi.slation 
for their relief This report gave the number of these chil- 
dren under sixteen years of age, and gave a vivid account 
of their lamentable condition in the county poor-houses. 
It showed very plainly that there was not, nor could there 
be, in such :isylums, any separation or classification of in- 
mates, so that IVom necessity the children were kept in 
clo.se contact with the adult inmates of both sexes, who 
were often the physical, mental, and moral wrecks of their 
own excesses. They also had to a.ssociate daily, in crowded 
rooms, with the disea.sed, insane, and idiotic. In such a 
school of ignorance and vice as this, which the average 
county poor-house afforded (and they are no worse in this 
than in other States), with all these evil influences about 
them, the prcspects for the young were gloomy indeed. 
These influences, too, operated strongly to attach the child 
permanently to the pauper and criminal class in which he 
was reared ; the system thus working most effectually to 
propagate and perpetuate, from one generation to another, 
a dependent and criminal class of very low mental and phys- 
ical type, the ratio of increase in that class being greater 
than in the community at large. 

The commissioners suggested three plans of relief, based 
on the experience of other States and countries, but none 
going as far in the way of State action as that afterwards 
adopted. 

When the Legislature of 1871 convened, it was soon gen- 
erally understood that the matters treated by the special 
commission would furnish some of the most important work 
of the session. It was early decided there should be a joint 
committee of the Senate and House, composed of the com- 
mittees on the reform school and State prison in the Senate, 
and the like committees in the House, forming a body of 
sixteen members. At the request of the chairman of the 
special commission, Senator C. D. Randall, of Coldwater, 
accepted the chairmanship of the Senate committee on the 
reform .school, which would probably make him chairman 
of the joint committee. The joint committee then elected 
him to that position. During the usual vacation of a few 
days, the joint committee visited the State charitable, penal, 
and reformatory institutions, and on its return held several 
meetings, discussing freely what recommendations should 



104 



HISTOKY OF BKANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



be made. After a full discussion, the committee instructed 
the chairman to report as he did Feb. 15, 1871. Tiiis re- 
port largely adopted the views and conclusions of the special 
commission in regard to needed improvements in the penal 
and reformatory institutions of the State, and also in regard 
to proposed aid for dependent children. The following 
language was then used in this report, which was the first ap- 
pearance of the subject in that or any previous Legislature: 
" Your committee also recommend tbat among the institu- 
tions of this State there be established, at an early day, a 
State Public School, after the plan of that in Massachusetts, 
for the maintenance and education of indigent children. 
This class is now generally kept in our poor-houses, which 
are unfit places in which to rear and educate boys and girls, 
and whence it cannot be expected they will go bettered in 
mind and morals. It would be a noble work for the State 
to do, and it is to be hoped that it will soon take them in 
its fostering care." When this report was drawn the writer 
was not aware that the Massachusetts institution recom- 
mended, was partially penal and reformatory. 

At this same time the association of ex-soldiers, known 
as the Grand Army of the Republic, were making efi"orts to 
have the Legislature establish an a.sylum for the children of 
deceased and indigent soldiers. The leading men of the 
Grand Army, however, readily assented to the suggestion 
that the proposed institution should be open to all the de- 
pendent children of the State, and thus another and a power- 
ful influence was added to those tending in the direction of 
the proposed institution. 

The special commission appointed by Governor Baldwin, 
though presenting very convincing testimony and strong 
arguments, accompanied them with no bill as the embodi- 
ment of their scheme in regard to legislation for the benefit 
of the class of children referred to. The joint committee of 
the Senate and House in its first report, though presenting 
other bills at that time, presented none for the benefit of 
dependent children. But subsequently in the session, Mr. 
Randall, after giving the subject as careful a study as he 
could, became strongly impressed with the idea that it was 
time the State should assume control of these children. The 
first fifty days of the session, after which no bills could be 
introduced, were rapidly drawing to a close, when, without 
the aid of precedents, for none existed for the institution 
desired, he prepared such a plan as to him seemed nearest 
right as an educational preventive project based on our 
common-school system, having no regard to our penal or 
reformatory systems. Reports of commissions of various 
States, especially in Ohio and Massachusetts, furnished 
useful suggestions, but not a basis for the organic law of 
the proposed school, for they all treated of institutions of 
a mixed character, partly penal or reformatory, none having 
treated of an institution purely preventive, beginning with 
children before they had become criminal. 

Michigan already had a reform school, so there was no 
good reason for establishing one of a mixed character. Mr. 
Randall felt that governments, through all ages, had never 
treated the dependent-children question correctly. The 
poor-house, the work-house, the industrial schools have 
always, especially in England, received the innocent and 
criminal alike, and put them under the same treatment. 



with the same associations. Under this regime, dependent 
children became criminals, and the governments, not as a 
remedy, but as a necessity, erected large and expensive 
reformatories and pri.sons, to reform or punish those whom 
earlier preventive treatment, in all probability, would have 
saved to a better fate. As education was conceded to be 
the best preventive of pauperism and crime, especially when 
assisted by moral and religious training, it was Mr. Randall's 
aim, in drafting the plan of the proposed school, to con- 
struct the scheme directly on the educational basis of our 
common-school system, combining temporary support of the 
younger dependent children in a home under the supervi- 
sion of the State during minority. On that plan, accord- 
ingly, was the bill drawn, — a plan disconnected entirely 
from our penal system, so that no taint of crime or sentence, 
or suspension of .sentence, should attach to any inmate ; so 
that none in after-life should ever have cause to blush that 
he or she had been a ward of the State in a school where 
the house had been built and the school maintained by the 
same system of taxation that supports the common schools 
of the State. 

The law thus drawn was on the 22d day of February, 
1871, the last day of the session for introducing bills, pre- 
sented in the Senate and referred to the joint committee. 
On the 3d day of March, after a full discussion of its pro- 
visions, the chairman, by the unanimous instruction of his 
committee, returned the bill to the Senate with a recom- 
mendation for its passage. 

This measure soon found in the Legislature many friends 
and no active opponents. While it was under consideration 
the following gentlemen visited Lansing, and in public 
addresses favored it, viz. : Z. R. Brockway, Esq., Hon. C. I. 
Walker ; Rev. E. C. Wines, D.D., LL.D., the noted philan- 
thropist of international reputation ; Rev. Dr. Mahan, presi- 
dent of Adrian College; and Rev. Dr. Gillespie, now bishop 
of the Protestant Episcopal diocese of Western Michigan. 
No address was made in either House in opposition to the 
bill. It had in the main been recommended by the .special 
commission, by the joint committee, and the press. On its 
final passage in the Senate there were twenty-three ayes and 
four noes. In the House there were seventy-three ayes 
and ten noes. It received the signature of Governor Bald- 
win on the 17th of April, and thus was established what is 
believed to be the first government institution ever estab- 
lished exclusively for the children of the poor to which 
poverty alone gives admission. 

The law appropriated thirty thousand dollars to the 
school, and commissioners were appointed to locate it, 
erect the buildings, and take charge of the institution. 
The first commissioners were Gov. H. P. Baldwin, ex 
officio, C. E. Mickley, and N. G. Isbell. Messrs J. S. 
Barber, C. D. Randall, and Dr. S. S. Cutter were after- 
ward members of the board of commissioners. In 1874 
the board of commissioners was superseded by a " board of 
control" of three members, appointed by the Governor and 
Senate for six years, one every two years. The first mem- 
bers were C. E. Mickley, President ; C. D. Randall, Sec- 
retary and Treasurer ; and Dr. S. S. Cutter. 

The beautiful .site, salubrious climate, and pleasant sur- 
roundings of Coldwater marked that city as a proper loca- 





'OOTn--c^CA^CAj 




/ 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



105 



tion ior the proposed institution, and whon, in addition, the 
citizens donated a site for the scliool and twenty-live tiiou- 
sand dollars in cash, the comuiissiouers had no hesitation 
in locating it at that point. 

The site eho.sen was on an eminence a mile north of the 
centre of the city, and just outside of the corporate limits, 
commanding a fine view of the city and its suburbs, and of 
a widespread succession of smiling fields, stretcliiug fan up 
and down the fertile valley of the Coldwater. 

A further appropriation was made by the Legislature in 
1873, and the buildings were ready fur use in May, 1874. 
These consisted of the main or " administrative" building, 
which was in the shape of a cross, three stories high besides 
the basement, having a frontage of one hundred and ninety- 
eight feet, and in the central part a depth of one hundred 
and seventy-five feet. In this were located the rooms for the 
superintendent and his family, and other ofiicers, reception- 
rooms, dining-room, school-rooms, shoe-shop, sleeping-rooms 
for the employees, etc. Near it were several " cottages," 
as they are called, although they were two stories high, and 
their dimensions were nearly forty feet by thirty. These 
were designed to accommodate thirty children each, under 
the charge of a lady manager ; the lower stories of each 
being fitted with a room for the manager, sitting-rooms for 
the cliildren, and a bath-room, while the upper story was 
divided into dormitories for the children. All the buildings 
were of brick. 

From this it will be seen that the plan of the institution 
was of a mixed description, containing, a.s is believed, .so flir 
as possible, the benefits of the congregate system with that 
of separate families. This plan has been continued till 
the present time, and no doubts have been expressed but 
that it is the best that can be employed. 

The school was opened on the 21st of May, 1874, with 
Zelotes Truesdell as superintendent. The law provided for 
the admission of children between three and fourteen years 
of age, on the certificate of the judge of probate of the 
county from which each might come, only to be issued to 
dependent children, ascertained to be of sound mind and 
free from any chronic or infectious disease. They were to 
remain at the school until sixteen, provided homes could 
not be found for them before that time in private families. 
After the children were sixteen the board of control was 
vested with discretion to retain them in the school or return 
them to their counties. 

As soon as the school was opened the children were 
rapidly sent in from all parts of the State, and in less than 
a year tlie accommodations of the buildings were exhausted. 
Further legislative aid was obtained during the session of 
1875, and during the following summer several new cot- 
tages were erected, bringing the whole number up to eight, 
besides a hospital. The latter was forty-eight feet by 
thirty-three, while the new cottages were forty by thirty- 
three. Like the first buildings, these were also of brick. 
As thus increased, the buildings accommodated two hun- 
dred and fifty children. 

In July, 1875, Mr. Lyman P. Alden, a college graduate 
and a successful man of business, was appointed superin- 
tendent, and having shown marked ability in the position, 
has been retained in it ever since. 
14 



From that time to this, the school has continued to per- 
form its beneficent functions with great regularity, appar- 
ently succeeding most admirably in tiie purposes for which 
it was instituted. 

About one-third of the children are too small to work, 
but every child large enough has some work to occujiy it 
from two to three hours per day, either on the farm, in the 
laundry, shoe-.shop, .sewing-room, knitting-room, or in per- 
forming some dimiestic work. Each child attend.s school 
from four to five hours per day, and the very best and 
most experienced teachers are employed. Only the com- 
mon English branches are taught. Telegraphy has lately 
been introduced, and bright children who are physically too 
weak to labor on the farm, or who have been in some way 
crippled, are so instructed as to become self-supporting. 
All of the larger boys are taught the manual of arms, and 
are furnished with carbines. 

The food is simple and plain but of the best quality of 
its kind, and the variety is sufiicient to stimulate the appe- 
tite. A garden of eighteen acres furnishes a large amount 
of vegetables for the u,se of the institution. About seven 
hundred bushels of apples were grown on the farm last 
year, but not enough to supply the school with all that 
could be used to advantage. A few cows are kept on the 
grounds, but not enough to supply the wants of the school, 
as there is but little pasture, and over one thousand dollars' 
worth of milk is purchased each year. 

The moral culture of the children receives proper atten- 
tion in both the cottages and the school-rooms, and religious 
services are held for them every Sunday in the chapel, being 
conducted by the superintendent, assisted by ladies and gen- 
tlemen of various religious denominations from the city. 
The older boys, in charge of a teacher or manager, attend 
services each Sabbath at one or another of the city 
churches. 

The boj's wear a plain, coarse, but neat uniform dress, 
consisting of dark jacket and gray trousers ; the girls are 
habited in an equally plain costume suited to their sex. The 
children of both sexes have a hearty, healthy, cleanly look, 
as different as can well be imagined from the depressed ap- 
pearance of many of the youthful inmates of almshouses, 
and which has come to be known as a " poor-house look." 

The health of the children is above the average. No 
ailment, however slight, is treated at the cottages ; the in- 
valid, on the appearance of the first symptoms of di.sea.se, 
being removed to the hospital. IJy far the greater por- 
tion, however, are speedily returned cured, without the ad- 
ministration of medicine, through the employment of a 
proper hygienic regimen. During the year closing Septem- 
ber 30, 1878, there were only two deaths among over four 
hundred children who were in the in.stitution ; the average 
constant membership being about three hundred. 

As before stated, the object of the school is to furnish 
temporary support and instruction to the children until they 
can be placed in families which are willing to take them. 
The Governor has appointed agents in some thirty of the 
principal counties of the State to find homes for the chil- 
dren, and to see that they are well treated when placed 
in them. The superintendent also acts as the agent of the 
school in regard to this branch of the work. By these 



106 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



means, and by the voluntary application of citizens, a large 
part of the children are provided for in that manner. 
Numerous letters arc received from agents and guardians 
regarding the children thus cared for, generally showing 
favorable results ; though sometimes serious faults are dis- 
covered in the children, and sometimes harsh treatment is 
inflicted by those who should be their protectors. 

The children thus sent away from the institution are also 
encouraged to write to the superintendent, and many of j 
their letters are decidedly interesting in their childish sim- 
plicity. From those published verhatlm et literittim, in 
the last report of the board of control, we select two, one 
apparently by a girl, and the other by a boy : 

"Ftbruaryi, 187S. 
"Dear Sir : — I sit down to write jou a few lines to let you know 
that I am well, and getting along very nicely. Now I will tell you 
all about it. I think that I have got A good home. I am going to 
try to keep my place this time. They have been very kind to me 
and I will try to please them, I have great deal of fun. They have 
got a little boy here. He makes lots of fun. I like him very mulch. 
He is a nice little boy. She is a very nice lady. She has a great 
deal of company and she has got a great many kind friends. They 
all seem to be glad to see her. He is a nice man. They have got a 
young man. He is always getting off something to make fun. they 
are all good christian people, they have got a very pleasant place. 
We all go to church but we did not go to-night because she was sick. 
This lady's sister thinks of coming out there to get A girl not over ten 
years old. She will have a good home for her. She has got an organ 
and she wants one that can learn to play. I like my home very 
mutch. I cannot think of anything more to write so good by to all. 

" M H ." 

" December 12, 1S77. 
"Dear Mr. Alden; — I received your nice letter some time ago 
and was very much pleased with it. Should have answered it before 
this had there not been so much sickness in the family. I like it 
here. There are two children in the family — a little boy 16 months 
old (his name is Burtie) and a girl four years old, her name is Mertie ; 
she goes with mo to feed the calf and hogs. I used to see Robbert 
Gambol at Sunday school, but I guess he has ran away. Henry 
Huntly is in this place. I go to school — like my teacher ever so well. 
I belong to the singing school, but can't read notes yet. My guardian 
let me husk corn on shares; I have got 12 bushels. I am going to 
buy a pig and feed it. I helped put in the wheat last fall, and I have 
li acres of my own. I was to visit you about two weeks ago, but 
you was not there. I saw all the new buildings; think it looks nice. 
If you get a letter from all the children it will keep you busy reading, 
so I guess I will not write much. Will close by hoping you will send 
a nice letter again sometime. 

"A Boy Friend, 

'■ J G ." 

Since 1875 there has been but one cottage added, but 
this is a large one, sheltering sixty children, so that now 
full three hundred are cared for iu the institution. A new 
building for an engine-house and laundry has also been 
erected lately. 

The whole number of children received into the institu- 
tion down to the 1st day of February, 1879, was six hun- 
dred and ninety, of whom three hundred and ten had been 
placed in families. Four hundred and twelve were cared 
for last year, including those placed out during the time; 
the expense for each being eighty-one dollars and sixty-seven 
cents, which is stated to be very little more than it would 
liave been in poor-houses. 



The principal employees of the institution are the super- 
intendent, matron, clerk, teachers, cottage managers, and 
hospital manager. A complete but simple set of rules has 
been prescribed for their government, and the management 
of the institution seems to go on with great smoothness 
considering the number and age of the children. Though 
corporeal punishment is not absolutely interdicted, yet great 
care is taken that it shall not be harshly or needlessly ad- 
ministered, and we believe no complaint has ever been made 
that such is the case. 

Such is the history and some of the characteristics of the 
" Michigan State Public School for Dependent Children," — • 
an institution which is certainly unique in its character, 
and which its friends believe is destined to take the lead 
in an important reformation in the treatment of such 
children throughout this country if not throughout the 
world. 

The State Public School exhibit at the Centennial formed 
a quarto volume, including the papers by Messrs. Randall 
and Alden, mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, 
embracing a lithographic view of the buildings, ten photo- 
graphic views (exteriors and interiors), plan of cottages, 
plan of grounds, outline plan of all the buildings, annual 
reports of the boards of control for 1874 to 1875, etc. 

Upon the exhibit thus made, a diploma and medal were 
awarded. No other institution having any resemblance to 
this received an award. 

The following is the text of the report of the judges, as 
accepted by the United States Centennial Commission, and 
in conformity with which an award of diploma and medal 
was decreed to the State Public School : " The undersigned, 
having examined the product herein described, respectfully 
recommend the same to the United States Commission for 
award, for the following reasons, viz. : For the exhibit of 
plans, drawings, historical sketches and reports, showing the 
advantage of the separation of children untainted by crime 
from those more properly cared for in a reformatory institu- 
tion ; for the adaptation of the separate house- or cottage- 
system to the needs of said State Public School ; and for 
the evidence of thoughtful planning and careful work in the 
establishment." The report of the judges and diploma 
adorn the walls of the principal oflico of the school, and the 
medal is carefully preserved in the library. 

We close with a list of the present oflScers and em- 
ployees of the institution, — Board of Control : Hon. James 
Burns, President, Detroit ; Hon. Henry H. Hinds, Stanton ; 
Hon. C. D. Randall, Secretary and Treasurer, Coldwater. 
Superintendent, Lyman P. Alden. Clerk and Steward, 
Daniel G. Blacknian. Matron, Mrs. Lena P. Alden. 
Cottage Managers, Mrs. Luoretia Charaplin, Mrs. Martha 
Bissell, Mrs. Agnes MoCollum, Mrs. Sarah Watson, Mrs. 
Fannie Russell, Miss Sarah D. Parsons, Miss Jennie Hall, 
Mrs. Ann Glynn, Miss Hattie L. J]varts, Miss Sarah Ten 
Eyck. Teachers, Miss Anna Sanderson, Miss Anna French, 
Miss Ella Cretors, Miss Lucelia E. Staples, Miss Frances C. 
Staples, Miss Florence MoCollum. Ho.spital Manager, Miss 
Agnes Walter. Attending Physician, Dr. S. S. Cutter. 



HISTORY OF ]3RANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



107 



C II A 1' T E 11 X X "\' 1 1 1. 

COUNTY SOCIETIES. 

Branch County Agricultural Society — First Meeting — First OflSccrs — 
First Fiiir — Premiums on Stock — Premiums Awankd to Lailies — 
The Fair in 1853 — Extension of Fair in 1854 — New Features in 
1855 — Permanent Fair-Ground — Legal Incorporation in 1857 — Ad- 
journment in ISBl — Scant Premiums in 1862 — A New Fair-Ground 
— A Sheep-Shearing Festival — IJuildiug of Floral Hall — Receipts 
in Various Years — More Land — Present Officers — List of Prcjei- 
donts — The County Grange — Its Organization — First Officers* Meet- 
ings — Object — Branch County Pioneer Society — The Bar Associa- 
tion — First Officers — Object. 

BRANCH COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

The first meeting looking to the foimjttioii (if an agri- 
cultural society in Branch County was held, pursuant to 
notice, on the 17th day of October, 1851, Asahel Brown 
being chosen president, and E. B. Pond secretary. F. V. 
Smith, Alvarado Brown, and J. B. Tompkins were ap- 
pointed a committee to draft a constitution, while Jolin 
Root, Darwin Wilson, Oliver Burdick, Jr., and William 
P. Arnold were made a connuittcc to nominate officers for 
the proposed association. They made the following nomina- 
tions, which were confirmed by the meeting : President, 
James B. Tompkins ; Vice-President, John Allen; Secre- 
tary, F. V. Smith ; Treasurer, H. W. Wright. . 

A corresponding secretary was also named in each town- 
ship, as follows : Butler, Jason Bowen ; Quincy, Elijah 
Leland ; Algansee, Asahel Brown ; California, Israel R. 

Hall; Ovid, Daniel ; Girard, Solomon L. Lawrence; 

Union, J. C. Leonard ; Batavia, Joseph Peterson ; Bethel, 
E. B. Williams; Gilead, Emerson Marsh; Noble, Darwin 
Wilson; Bronson, John Holmes; Mattison, John Culver; 
Sherwood, B. F. Ferris. 

A constitution was also adopted for the government of 
the society. By its association the society was to be called 
the Branch County Agricultural Society, its design being 
. declared to be to promote improvement in agriculture and 
the kindred arts. There was to be an executive committee, 
consisting of the president, vice president, secretary, treas- 
urer, and two other members, who were to have the general 
management of the afiiiirs of the society. The officers 
already chosen were to hold office until the first annual 
meeting, which was fixed for the lltli of November of that 
year. It was provided that any person might become a 
member by paying one dollar, and might continue so by 
paying half a dollar annually. The payment of five dollars 
made the payer a life-member, and authorized him to at- 
tend the annual meetings of the executive committee and 
participate in the discussions. 

The first annual meeting was held at the time mentioned 
above, when the following permanent officers were chosen : 
President, J. B. Tompkins ; Vice-President, William 
Smith ; Secretary, F. V. Smith ; Treitsurer, Elijah Leland ; 
Executive Committee, Daniel Wilson and L. P. Austin. 
Corresponding secretaries were again named, most of those 
before designated being selected. 

The first annual fair of the society was held at Coldwater 
village, on the 7th of October, 1852. The whole sum ap- 
propriated for premiums was only two hundred dollars. 



Joseph R. Williams, of Constantine, St. Joseph Co., was 
chosen to deliver the first address. 

Brief and meagre indeed was the premium-list. Among 
the premiums ofiered were the following : 

Cla.ss 1 , short-horns : for the best bull, three years old 
or over, 83 ; for the bust cow, $'.). 

Class 2, Devous : the same premiums. 

Class 3, grades : the same. 

Class 4, natives : the same. 

Class 5, working oxen and steers: best yoke oxen, four 
years old, $2 ; best five yoke, from one town, $3 ; best yoke 
three-year old steers, $1 ; best two-year old steers, 81. 

Class 6, fat cattle : best steer or ox, copy Michigan Far- 
mer. 

Class 7, horses : best stallion for all work, four years old, 
$2 and Rural New Yorlcer ; best brood-mare, four years 
old, $1 and Rural New Yorker, etc. 

The premium offered for the best cultivated and managed 
farm in the county was a set of silver teaspoons worth 86. 

When the time came, the executive committee had their 
headciuarters in the court-house, while the crowd and the 
exhibits occupied the ground outside, ilembers, their wives, 
and their children under eighteen were admitted on the fifty- 
cent tickets of the members, while single tickets were pLiced 
at the moderate price of ten cents. 

The principal awards to ladies at this first fair were the 
following: To Miss C. H. Williams, for best salt-rising 
bread, " Miss Leslie's Receipt Book" ; to Mrs. E. Chapman, 
for best hop-rising bread, same ; to Mrs. L. R. Austin, best 
milk-rising broad, the same ; to Mrs. J. G. Brooks, ten 
pounds butter, 82 and copy " Sfodern Housewife"; to 
Mrs. Jane Lee, for best variety of wines, jellies, cakes, etc., 
copy " Modern Housewife" ; to Mrs. Roland Root, for best 
cheese, copy " Modern Housewife" ; to Mrs. L. D. Crippen, 
for best catsup of domestic manufacture ; to Mrs. Horace 
Lewis, for best ten yards white flannel ; to Mrs. W. H. 
Hanchett, best ten yards rag carpet; to Mrs. A. Chandler, 
best pair knit stockings ; to Mi-s. E. Martin, best patch-work 
quilt ; to Mrs. E. G. Parsons, for best specimen woreted 
work; to Mrs. N. T. Waterman, best worked collars; to 
Mrs. L. D. Crippen, for best variety of dahli;is; to Mrs. 
J. H. Beach, for best variety of house-plants; to Mrs. Ed- 
ward Chapman, best dressed flannel ; to Mrs. D. C. More- 
house, best pair linen stockings ; to Mrs. N. D. Sykes, assort- 
ment needle-work ; to Mrs. F. V. Smith, same; to Mrs. O. 
R. Clark, for beautiful, white, tjuilted spread ; to Mrs. C. 
B. Fisk, for worsted work ; to Mrs. S. M. Denison, for 
woolen stockings ; to Miss Harriett A. Crippen, for beauti- 
ful embroidered shoes ; to Miss R. A. Champion, for gent's 
dressing-gown ; to Mrs. H. N. Hubbard, for one coverlid ; 
to Mrs. C. B. Fisk, for a parlor bouquet ; to Miss Amelia 
Noyes, for the same ; to Mrs. David Rice, ten yards yarn 
car])et ; to Mrs. T. J. Webb, for fancy work-box ; Mre. 
W. H. Hanchett, one coral card-ba.sket ; Mrs. J. R. Hall, 
one pair worked ottomans; Mrs. E. G. Parsons, one foot- 
stool. 

The prize for the best farm was given to Elijah Leland, 
of Quincy. 

From these modest beginnings the progress hits been slow 
but steady up to the present time. At the second fair, in 



108 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1853, four hundred dollars were allotted for premiums, and 
the prizes for the best cattle were advanced to five dollars. 
Hon. Charles E. Stewart delivered the addres.s. The pro- 
vision in the constitution for corresponding secretaries in 
each town was stricken out. 

In 1854 the time of the fair was extended to three days. 
The premiums remained at about the same size as the year 
before, but a larger number were offered. 

In 1855 two or three new features were introduced, 
premiums being offered for the best performances on the 
piano, melodeon, and dulcimer, and also for the best speci- 
mens of female horsemanship, both in riding on horseback 
and in driving one or two horses. 

At the annual meeting, in 1854, it was resolved to buy 
land for a permanent fair-ground. A bargain was accord- 
ingly made with Mr. Bi'adley Crippen to purchase six acres 
on the Battle Creek road, near the north line of the vil- 
lage of Coldwater, the price being seven hundred dollars, — 
two hundred in cash, and the rest in three equal annual 
payments. As the society was not legally incorporated it 
could not hold land itself, and the contract was made by 
Darwin Wilson to hold the tract in question in trust. 

In 1857 the society was incorporated, the oflBcial au- 
thority being vested in a president, secretary, treasurer, and 
five directors. The first officers under the new organization 
were Asahel Brown, President ; Hiram R. Alden, Secretary ; 
C. B. Fisk, Treasurer ; and Samuel Morey, Philo Porter, Ly- 
man Millett, Jas. Clisbee, and Oliver Burdick, Jr., Directors. 

At the fair in 1857 no prizes were offered for female 
horsemanship, but several ladies volunteered to grace the 
occasion. The judges praised their proficiency, and also 
gave thanks to Capt. Andrews and the members of the Cold- 
water Light Artillery, for the genfl(ftnanly escort afforded 
by them to the ladies. Some perhaps laughed at the mili- 
tary semblance of the gallant militiamen ; but when the 
time of trial came nearly every man of the Coldwater Light 
Artillery was to be found in front of the foe. 

The report made in June, 1858, showed that the whole re- 
ceipts during the second year of the society's existence were 
two hundred and seventy-one dollars and nine cents, while in 
1857 they had increased to nine hundred and sixty-nine 
dollars and seventy-one cents. At that time (1858) the 
association numbered five hundred and fifty actual mem- 
bers. There was then a debt of two hundred and fifly- 
seven dollare,— one hundred and forty dollars being still 
due on the land contract and one hundred and seven dollars 
for fencing. 

At the fair of 1858 new buildings were found necessary, 
and were erected. There were six hundred and forty-seven 
entries, but on account of bad weather the number of mem- 
bership-tickets was comparatively small. The annual mem- 
bership-fee was raised to one dollar, where it has been con- 
tinued ever since. 

There were fairs held in 1859 and 1860, but there is no 
record of them on the books. 

In 1861 the attention of the people was so completely 
taken up by the great war, and so many of the active 
young farmers had gone forth to meet their country's ene- 
mies, that it was determined to adjourn the fair till the 
next year. 



In 1862 a fair was held, but the society seems to have 
been very much cramped for money, judging from a reso- 
lution passed by the board of directors. It provided that 
the treasurer should pay, first, the current expenses of that 
year for labor, etc., next the debts of the society, and last 
the premiums which might be awarded. This left but a 
poor chance for the prize-takers, but they were allowed the 
privilege of applying the unpaid amounts in membership- 
tickets the next year. 

In 1863 the number of directors was increased to six, — • 
these being elected for two years, the terms of three ex- 
piring each year. It was about this time that the society 
sold its land on Grand Street, and bought twenty acres on 
Marshall Street, near the north line of the city of Cold- 
water, — that i^, the Agricultural Society and the Horse 
Breeders' Association bought it in company, the former 
fitting up the track and grand stand, while the latter fenced 
the ground, built walls, etc. This arrangement has been 
maintained till the present time. 

In 1864 the exigencies of the war, then in the very 
crisis of decision, again prevented the holding of either a 
fair or an annual meeting. 

Just after the close of the war the jubilant farmers, 
whose sons and brothers were then returning home by the 
hundreds, held a peculiar festival under the auspices of the 
authorities of the association. It was called a sheep-shear- 
ing festival, and occurred on the 7th of June of that year. 
Premiums were ofiered for the best sheep and one of five 
dollars for the best shearer. A large number of shearers 
attended with their sheep, but probably the trouble was 
thought to be greater than the enjoyment or profit, for the 
scene was not repeated. 

The following year, 1866, a large hall was built for the 
exhibition of flowers, fruits, and other delicate products, 
and called Floral Hall. The cost was about two thou.sand 
four hundred dollars. 

This year a premium of ten dollars was offered for the 
best span of draft horses, while the prizes for choice cattle 
were somewhat reduced. The total receipts were about 
eight hundred dollars. 

The institution was now well started on the road to suc- 
cess; and in 1867 the receipts were much larger than the 
year before, and the debts of the association were nearly 
paid up. In 1867 the total receipts were fourteen hundred 
and twenty-seven dollars and ninety-nine cents ; of which 
nearly a thousand dollars was applied in payment of debts. 
This necessarily involved a very meagre premium list, and 
the next year the receipts fell to three hundred and ninety- 
three dollars and forty-seven cents. A very decided eflfort 
was made to improve on this situation, a judicious premium 
list was offered, and the affairs of the institution were again 
put in the proper train. 

In 1871 the number of the board of directors (quite as 
commonly called the executive committee) was increased to 
ten, the terms of five expiring every year. 

From this time to the present the society has been pros- 
perous both in regard to its financial condition and as to the 
interest excited among the farmers. In 1875 the receipts 
amounted to $1809.34; in 1876, to $2968.84 ; in 1877, 
to §2983.70; and in 1878, §2682.71. For the last four 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



109 



years the society lias employed the same secretary (Mr. J. 
I). W. Fisk) continuously ; ii fact which has conduced much 
to its success. 

In 1878 the association bought eight acres more of land, 
on the north side of its former purcha.sc, for sixteen hundred 
dollars, and two acres on the soutii side for eight hundred 
dollars, thus making a tract of thirty acres in all. 

The following are the present officers of the association : 
President, William Joseph ; Secretary, J. D. W. Fisk ; 
Treasurer, Charles H. Austin ; Board of Directors, John 
H. Jones, A. M. Drumm, E. C. S. Green, Charles Hamil- 
ton, A. C. Fisk, Myron A. Ilolway, J. M. Selover, George 
W. Vanaken, R. E. Copeland, and E. W. Treat. 

We close with a list of the previous presidents : James 

B. Tompkins, 1851-52; Darwin Wilson, 1853; Alvarado 
Brown, 1854 ; Elijah Lehuid, 1855 ; Darwin Wilson, 1856 ; 
J. H. Culver, 1858 ; Harvey Warner, 1859 ; James S. 
Antisdale, 1861-62-63 ; J. B. Crippen, 1864-65 ; Cyrus E. 
Luce, 1866-67; Albert Chandler, 1868-69; John Allen, 
1870 ; George W. Van Aken, 1871 ; Henry C. Lewis, 
1872; Charles Upson, 1873; Cyrus G. Luce, 1875-76; 
Henry B. George, 1877-78. 

THE COUNTY QKANGE. 
Branch Counti/ Pomona Grange, No. 22, was organized 
on the 21st of March, 1878, by C. L. Whitney, general 
deputy for Michigan, on a petition presented by George W. 
Van Aken, John G. Parkhurst, Mrs. J. G. Parkhurst, Eli 
Bidleman, H. B. George, Mrs. H. B. George, Charles if. 
Austin, D. C. Fonda, A. S. Archer, J. C. Pierce, Mrs. J. 

C. Pierce, Wm. Joseph, Wallace E. Wright, John H. Jones, 
Mrs. John H. Jones, Darwin Thompson, and John Bell. 

The first officers were as follows : Worthy Master, Henry 
B. George, of Coldwater Grange ; Overseer, Darwin Thomp- 
son, of Gilead Grange ; Lecturer, John G. Parkhurst, of 
Batavia Grange ; Steward, C. H. Austin, of Batavia 
Grange; Assistant Steward, J. C. Pierce, of Coldwater 
Grange; Treasurer, George W. Van Aken, of Girard 
Grange ; Secretary, Wallace E. Wright, of Champion 
Grange ; Ceres, Mrs. William Joseph, of Quincy Grange ; 
Flora, Mrs. J. G. Parkhurst, of Batavia Grange ; Lady 
Assistant Steward, Mrs. Hiram Horton, of Coldwater 
Grange. 

The worthy master, secretary, and four other members 
constitute the executive committee. The fir.st members 
were William Joseph, G. W. Van Aken, Eli Bidleman, 
and D. Thompson. 

Regular annual meetings are held on the third Thurs- 
day of March in each year, at the hall of Coldwater Grange. 
Regular quarterly meetings arc held on the Tuesday nearest 
the full moon, in the first mouth of each quarter, at the 
same place. There are now forty-five members. 

The society is designed to promote social intercourse 
among the members, and especially to form a link between 
the State granges and the subordinate granges, and thus 
conduce to the beneficent workings of the order of Patrons 
of Husbandry. 

BRANCH COUNTY PIONEER SOCIETY. 

Meetings of the pioneers of Branch County have been 
held fur several years, at which the remnant of those who 



led the way in the conquest of the widerness have assembled 
to revive their recollections of the olden time, and compare 
them with the facts of the present day. 

On the 16th of August the organization of the Branch 
County Pioneer Society was perfected, its object being to 
promote the social intercourse of the old settlers, and to 
preserve whatever relates to the history of the county, and 
especially to its early settlement. The present officers are 
as follows : 

President, Harvey Warner ; Recording Secretary, Harvey 
Haynes ; Corresponding Secretary, T. C. Etheridge ; Treas- 
urer, S. N. Treat ; Executive Committee, Albert Chandler, 
H. D. Miller, and Henry Lockwood ; Vice-Presidents, 
Algansee, F. D. Ransom ; Batavia, M. P. Olds ; Bethel, Nel- 
son Card ; Bronson, Wales Adams ; Butler, Milo White ; 
California, James H. Lawrence ; Coldwater township, Ori- 
gen F. Bingham ; First Ward Coldwater City, William B. 
Sprague; Second Ward, D. I. P. Alger; Third Ward, 
Allen Tibbits; Fourth Ward, Dr. J. H. Bennett; Gilead, 
Samuel Booth ; Girard, J. B. Tompkins ; Kinderhook, 
George Tripp; Mattison, William W. McCarty ; Noble, 
Walter W. Smith ; Ovid, Stewart Davis ; Quincy, W. P. 
Arnold ; Sherwood, Isaac D. Beall ; Union, Hiram Double- 
day ; village of Quincy, Samuel P. Mowry ; village of Union 
City, David Cooley ; village of Bronson, James Ruggles. 

BRANCH COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION. 

This is a very youthful society, having been formed in 
February, 1879. Its object is not only to promote good 
feeling among the members, but to elevate the tone of the 
profession and to frown down all unworthy practices which 
may possibly gain ground among the lawyers of Branch 
County. The following were the first officers elected : 
President, Noah P. Loveridge ; Vice-President, M. A. 
Jlerrifield ; Secretary, A. J. McGowan ; Executive Com- 
mittee, Chas. Upson, F. L. Skeels, and H. H. Barlow. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

BRANCH COtJNTT CIVIL LIST. 

State Officers — Representatives in Congress — Judgcsof Circuit Court — 
Probate Judges — Prosecuting Attorneys — Sheriffs — County Clerks 
— Registers of Deeds — County Treasurers — County Commissioners 
— Associate Judges of Circuit Court — -County Judges and Second 
Judges — Circuit Court Commissioners — County Surveyors — State 
Senators — Representatives in Legislature — Members of Constitu- 
tional Conventions. 

STATE OFFICERS. 

Charles G. Hammond, Auditor-General (appointed), April 13, 1842, 

to May 31, 1845. 
George A. Coe, Lieutenant-Governor; elected in 1854 for two years; 

served in 1855-56; re-elected in 1856 for 1857-58. 
Charles Upson, Attorney-General; elected for two years, in 1860; 

served in 1861-62. 
J. H. McGowan, Regent of State University; elected in April, 1869, 

for eight years. 
Charles A. Edmonds, Land Commissioner ; elected for two years, in 

1870; served in 1871-72. 
C. D. Randall, Commissioner of Stale Public School ; appointed in 

1873; on supersession of Commissioners by Board of Control in 

1874; appointed member of that board for si.\ years. 



110 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



S. S, Cutter, appointed Commissioner of State School in December, 
1873; ajjpointed member of Board of Control iu 1874; resigned. 



REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 



Charles Upson, elected in lSfi2: re-elected in 1864-06; served from 

March 4, ISe.^i, to March 4, 1861). 
J. H. McGowan, elected in 1876 ; re-elected in 1878 ; service began 

March 4, 1S77. 



jrDGES OF CIRCDIT COURT. 

Charles Upson, elected in spring of 1S69, for six years, from Jan. 1, 

1870. 
David Thonip.^on, to iill vacancy, 1878. 
John B. Shipman, elected in 1878, for si.x years, from Jan. 1, 1879. 

PROBATE JUDGES. 

Peter Martin (appointed), 1833-37. 

Martin Olds (appointed), 1837-40. 

Edward A. Warner (appointed), 1841. 

William B. Spraguc (appointed), 1842-44. 

Esbon (i. Fuller (appointed), 1844-48. 

Harvey Warner (appointed), 1849 ; afterwards elected by the people ; 

held till Dec. 31, 1856. 
Jonathan H. Gray, elected in 1856, for four years, from Jan. 1, 1857. 
Nelson D. Skeels, elected in 1860, for four years, from Jan. 1, 1861. 
David Thompson, elected in 1864, for four years, from Jan. 1, 1865. 
David W. Green, elected in 1868; re-elected in 1872-76. 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 

Esbon G. Fuller, appointed in 1837 ; reiippointed in 1840. 

H. C. Gilbert, appointed in 1843; reappointed in 1846. 

Elon G. Parsons, appointed in 1849; served till close of 1850. 

James W. Gilbert, elected in 1850; served in 1851 and 1352. 

John G. Parkhurst, elected in 1852; served in 1853 and 1854. 

John W. Turner, elected in 1854; served in 1855 and 1856. 

Egbert K. Nichols, elected in 1856; served in 1857 and 1858; re- 
elected in 1858; served in 1859 and 1860; re-elected in 1860; 
served in 1861 and 1862. 

L. T. N. Miller, elected in 1862 ; served in 1863 and 1S64. 

George A. Coe, elected in 1864; served in 1865 and 1866. 

Wallace W. Barrett, elected in 1866; served in 1867 and 1868. 

Jonas H. McGowan, elected in 1868; served in 1869 and 1870; re- 
elected in 1870; served in 1871 and 1872. 

Frank L. Skeels, elected in 1872; served in 1873 and 1874; re-elected 
in 1874; served in 1875 and 1876. 

Simon B. Kitchell, elected in 1876; served in 1877 and 1878; re- 
elected in 1878. 



William McCarty, elected in 1833 ; served to end of 1834 ; re-elected 

in 1834; served in 1835 and 1836. 
James B. Stewart, elected in 1836; served in 1837 and 1838. 
John H. Stevens, elected in 183S ; served in 1839 and 1840 ; re-elected 

in 1840; served in 1841 and 1842. 
Anselm Arnold, elected in 1842; served in 1843 and 1844; re-elected 

iu 1844; served in 1845 and 1846. 
Hiram Shoulder, elected in 1846; served in 1847 and 1843. 
James Pierson, elected in 1848; served in 1849 and 1850. 
Philo Porter, elected in 1850; served in 1851 and 1852; re-elected in 

1852 ; served in 1853 and 1854. 
Daniel Wilson, elected iu 1854; served in 1855 and 1856. 
David N. Green, elected in 1856; served in 1857 and 1858; re-olccted 

in 1858; served in 1859 and 1860. 
John Whitcomb, elected in 1860; served in 1861 and 1862: re-elected 

in 1862; served in 1863 and 1864. 
Charles Powers, elected in 1864; served in 1865 and 1866. 
Lucius M. Wing, elected in 1866 ; served in 1867 and 1863 ; re-elected 

in 1868; served in 1869 and 1870. 
Lewis B. Johnson, elected in 1370 ; served in 1371 and 1872 ; re-elected 

in 1872; served in 1873 and 1374. 
Jason T. Culp, elected in 1874; served iu 1875 and 1876; re-elected 

in 1376 ; served in 1377 and 1878. 
Loring P. Wilco.\, Coldwater, elected in 1873. 



COUNTY CLERKS. 

Wales Adams, elected in 1833 ; served to end of 1834; re-elected in 
1834; served in 1835 and 1836. 

C. P. West, elected in 1336; served in 1837 and 1838; re-elected in 
1838; served in 1839 and 1340. 

Henry B. Stillman, elected in 1840; served in 1341 and 1342; re- 
elected in 1842 ; served in 1843 and 1844. 

C. P. Benton, elected in 1844 ; served in 1845 and 1346 ; re-elected in 
1846; served in 1847 and 1848. 

S. C. Rose, elected in 1848 ; served in 1849 and 1850. 

P. P. Wright, elected in 1850 ; served in 1851 and 1352; re-elected in 
1852; served in 1853 and 1854. 

Eben 0. Leach, elected in 1854; served in 1355 and 1856. 

Benjamin C. Webb, elected in 1856; served in 1357 and 1858; re- 
elected in 1858; served in 1859 and 1860; re-elected in 1860; 
served in 1861 and 1862. 

Henry N. Lawrence, elected in 1862; served in 1863 and 1864; re- 
elected in 1864; served in 1865 and 1866; re-elected in 1866; 
served in 1867 and 1368. 

FrancisM.Bissell, elected in 1863; served in 1369 and 1870; re-elected 
in 1370; served in 1871 and 1372; re-elected in 1372; served in 
1373 and 1S74. 

Frank D. Newberry, elected in 1874; served in 1875 and 1376; re- 
elected in 1876; served in 1877 and 1878; re-elected in 1878. 

REGISTERS OF DEEDS. 

Seth Dunham, elected in 1833; served to end of 1834; re-elected in 
1834; served in 1335 and 1836. 

Leonard Ellsworth, elected in 1836; served in 1837 and 1338; re- 
elected in 1338; served in 1339 and 1340; re-elected in 1340; 
served in 1841 ami 1842; died in October, 1842; George A. Coe 
acted till Dec. 31, 1842. 

Jared Pond, elected in 1842; served in 1843 and 1844; re-elected in 
1844; served in 1845 and 1846. 

Selleok Seymour, elected in 1846; served in 1847 and 1843; re-elected 
in 1848; served in 1349 and 1850. 

Albert L. Porter, elected in 1850; served in 1851 and 1852; re-elected 
in 1852 ; served in 1853 and 1854. 

Curtis S. Youngs, elected in 1854 ; served in 1355 and 1856. 

Francis B. Way, elected in 1356 ; served in 1857 and 1858. 

Franklin T. Eddy, elected in 1858; served in 1859 and 1860; re- 
elected in I860 ; served in 1861 and 1862. 

Phineas P. Nichols, elected in 1862; served in 1863 and 1864; re- 
elected in 1864 ; served in 1865 and 1866. 

Ch.arles A. Edmonds, elected in 1366; served in 1867 and 1868; re- 
elected in 1868 ; served in 1869 and 1870. 

Dauiel A. Douglas, elected in 1370; served in 1871 and 1372; re- 
elected in 1872 ; served in 1873 and 1374. 

Franklin T.Eddy, elected in 1374; served in 1875 and 1376; re- 
elected in 1876 ; served in 1877 and 1878. 

William H. Donaldson, elected in 1878. 

COUNTY TREASURERS. 

Scth Dunham, elected in 1833; served in 1833 and 1834.* 

J. G. Corbus, elected in 1840 ; served in 1841 and 1842. 

John T. Haynes, elected in 1842; served in 1843 and 1844; re-elected 

in 1844; served in 1845 and 1846: re-elected in 1346; served in 

1347 and 1848 ; re-elected in 1848; served in 1849 and 1850. 
Hiram R. Alden, elected in 1850; served in 1851 and 1852. 
Wales Adams, elected in 1852; served in 1853 and 1854. 
Hiram Shoudler, elected in 1354; served in 1355 and 1856; re-elected 

in 1356; served in 1857 and 1868. 
Cyrus G. Luce, elected in 1858; served in 1359 and 1860; re-elected 

in 1360; served in 1861 and 1862. 
Moses V. Calkins, elected in 1862 ; served in 1863 and 1SG4 : re-elected 

in 1864; served in 1865 and 1866; re-elected in 1866; served in 

1867 and 1863. 
John Whitcomb, elected in 1368; served in 1869 and 1870 ; re-elected 

in 1870 ; served in 1371 and 1872. 
Loring P. Wilcox, elected in 1872; served in 1873 and 1874; re-elected 

in 1874; served in 1875 and 1376. 
James R. Dickey, elected in 1876 ; served in 1877 and 1378 ; re-elected 

in 1378. 

* No record of treasurers to be found from 1S35 to 1840. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Ill 



COUNTY COMMISSIOXEnS.* 

183S. — Charles G. Uamiiiond, chairiuan; Enos G. Berry, Wales 

Adams. 
1839. — Same commissioDors. 

1840. — Enos G. Berry, chairman; Wales Adams, Hiram SliouJler. 
1841. — Wales Adams, chairman ; Hiram Shoudlcr, Oliver D. Colvin. 
1842. — Iliram Shoudler, chairman; 0. D. Colvin, Hiram Gardner. 

ASSOCIATE JUDGES OF CIRCUIT COUBT. 

Silas A. Holbrook (appointed), 1833-36. 
William A. Kent (appointed), 1833-36. 
William B. Sprague (appointed), 1837 and 1838. 
Chester G. Hammond (appointed), 1837-40. 
Enos 0. Berry (apjiointL-d), I83a and 1840. 
William A. Kent (appointed), 1.S41-44. 
Martin Barnhart Girard (appointed), 1841-46. 
Jehial U. Hard, 1845 and 1846. 

COUNTY JUDGES AND SECOND JUDGES. 

William A. Kent, county judge, 1847-50. 
Jacob Shook, second judge, 1847-50. 
Justin Lawyer, county judge, 1851. 
Darwin Littlcfield, second judge, 1851. 

CinCl'IT COURT COMMISSIONERS. 

Esbon G. Fuller, elected in 1850 ; served in 1851 and 1852. 
John G. Parkhurst, elected in 1850; .served in 1851 and 1852. 
Justin Lawyer, elected in 1852 ; served in 1853 and 1854; re-elected 

in 1854; served in 1855 and 1856. 
Joseph B. Clark, elected in 1856 ; served in 1857 and 1858. 
Wallace W. Barrett, elected in 1858; served in 1859 and I860; re- 
elected in 1860; served in 1861 and 1862. 
David Thompson, elected in 1862: served in 1863 and 1864. 
Franklin E. Morgan and Willard J. Bowen, Coldwater, elected in 

1864; served in 1865 and 1866. 
Willard J. Bowen and Jonas H. McGowan, Coldwater, elected in 1S66 ; 

served in 1867 and 1863. 
Willard J. Bowen and Asa M. Tinker, elected in 1868; served in 

1869 and 1S70. 
Frank S. Skeels and Ezra Berry, elected in 1S70; served in 1871 and 

1872. 
Ezra Berry and Charles D. Wright, elected in 1872; served in 1873 

and 1874; both re-elected in 1874; served in 1875 ,ind 1876. 
Charles 1). Wright and Charles N. Legg, elected in 1876; served in 

1877 and 1878. 
Charles N. Legg and Norman A. Reynolds, elected in 1878. 

CORONERS (since 1854). 

Isaac Middaugh and Israel R. Hall, elected in 1851 for two years, 

from the following 1st of January. 
A. C. Flsk and Charles D. Brown, elected in 1856 for two yearis, from 

the following 1st of January. 
John II. Bennett and Charles D. Brown, elected in 1858. 
George W. Johnson and Elmer Packer, elected in 1860. 
Warren Byrnes and Elmer Packer, elected in 1862. 
Daniel Miller and John C. Hall, elected in 1864. 
Moses E. Chauncey and Barnabas B. Shoecraft, elected in 1866. 
John H. Bennett and Geo. W. Johnson, elected in 1868. 
Jerome S. Wolcolt and Nathan Tettorly, elected in 1870. 
Chas. 11. Lovewcll and Jacob Kincaid, elected in 1872. 
Chas. II. Lovewell and Edward Purdy, elected in 1874. 
Jerome Wolcott and Aaron A. Van Orthwick, elected in 1876. 
Roland Root and Delanson J. Sprague, elected in 1878. 

COUNTY SURVEYORS (SINCE 1854). 

Philip II. Sprague, elected in 1854 to serve two years, from the fol- 
lowing 1st of January. 

Murray Knowlcs, elected in 1850 for two years, from the following 1st 
of January; re-elected in 1858. 

Silas II. Nye, elected in 1860. 



* Elected for three years (llio term of one expiring each your), and perform- 
ing the same duties as supervisors. 



Ainasa R. Day, elected in 1862 ; re-elected in 1864. 
Norman S. Andrews, elected in 1866; re-elected in 1868. 
Titus Babcock, elected in 1870. 
J. H. Bennett, elected in 1872; re-elected in 1874. 
Murray Knowles, elected in 1876; re-elected in 1878. 

SUPERINTENDENTS OP COMMON SCHOOLS. 

Walter S. Perry, elected for two years in April, 1867. 
Albert A. Jones, elected for two years in April, 1809. 
Albert A. Luce, elected for two years in April, 1871. 
Milo D. Campbell, elected for two years in April, 1873. 

COUNTY DRAIN COMMISSIONERS. 

John II. Bennett, elected for two years in April, 1809. 
George W. Fisk, elected for two years in April, 1871. 

STATE SENATORS. 

Samuel Ethcridge, Coldwater, elected in 1838; served in 1839 and 1840. 

Edward A. Warren, Coldwater, elected in 1841 ; served in 1842 an 
184.3. 

George A. Coe, Coldwater, elected in 1845; served in 1846 and 1847. 

Enos G. Berry, Quincy, elected in 1847 ; served in 1848 and 1849. 

Alfred French, Bronson, elected in 1850; served in 1851 and 1852. 

Joseph C. Leonard, Union, elected in 1852; served in 1853 and 1854. 

L. T. N. Wilson, Coldwater, elected in 1854; served in 1855 and 1856. 

Asahel Brown, Coldwater, elected in 1858; served in 1859 and 1860. 

Darius Monroe, Bronson, elected in 1860; served in 1861 and 1862; 
re-elected in 1862; served in 1863 and 1864. 

Cyrus G. Luce, Gilead, elected in 1864; served in 1865 and 1866 ; re- 
elected in 1866 ; served in 1867 and 1868. 

John II. Jones, Quincy, elected in 1868; served in 1869 and 1870. 

Caleb D. Randall, Coldwater, elected in 1870 ; served in 1871 and 1872. 

Jonas II. McGowan, Coldwater, elected in 1872; served in 1873 and 
1874. 

John II. Jones, Quincy, elected in 1874; served in 1875 and 1876. 

Franklin E. Morgan, Coldwater, elected in 1876; served in 1877 and 
1878. 

REPRESENTATIVES IN LEGISLATURE. 

Hiram Alden, Coldwater, elected for one year in 1835 (term began in 
November of that year) ; re-elected in 1836 to serve in 1837. 

William A, Kent, Prairie River (now Bronson) ; elected in 1836 to 
serve in 1838. 

Jared Pond, Branch, elected in 1838, served in 1839. 

Charles G. Hammond, Union, elected in 1839; served in 1840; re- 
elected in 1840 to servo in 1841. 

Justus Goodwin, Union, elected in 1841: served in 1842. 

Martin Olds, Batavia, elected in 1842; served in 1843. 

Wales Adams, Bronson, elected in 1843; served in 1844; re-elected in 
1844 ; served in 1845. 

William B. Sprague, Coldwater, elected in 1845; served in 1846. 

Alvarado Brown, Quincy, elected in 1846; served in 1847. 

Justus Goodwin, Union, elected in 1846; served in 1847. 

Alvarado Brown, Quincy, elected in 1847 ; served in 1848. 

B. F. Ferris, Sherwood, elected in 1847; served in 1848. 

George A. Coe, Coldwater, elected in 1848; served in 1849. 

Oliver D. Culver, Kinderhook, elected in 1849 ; served in 1850. 

Roland Root, Coldwater, elected in 1849; served in 1850. 

Sol. L. Lawrence, Girard, elected in 1850; served in 1851 and 1852. 

Roland Root, Coldwater, elected in 1850 ; served in 1851 and 1852. 

William P. Arnold, Quincy, elected in 1852; served in 1853 and 1854. 

Jas. B. Tompkins, Girard, elected in 1852; served in 1853 and 1854. 

Cyrus G. Luce, Gilead, elected in 1854 ; served in 1855 and 1856. 

II. C. Ilurd, Union City, elected in 1854 ; served in 1855 and 1856. 

Elijah Leiand, Quincy, elected in 1856; served in 1857 and 1858. 

Edward Perry, Union City, elected in 1856 ; served in 1857 and 1858. 

Augustus S. Glcssnor, Coldwater, elected in 1858; served in 1859 and 
1860. 

Edward Perry, Union City, elected in 1858; served in 1859 and 1860. 

Wm. Chase, Kinderhook, elected in 1860; served in 1861 and 1862. 

Homer C. Hurd, Union City, elected in 1860 ; served in 1861 and 1862. 

Jesse Bowen, Quincy, elected in 1862; served in 1863 and 1864. 

Charles W. Wetherby, Gilead, elected in 1862; served in 1863 and 
1864. 

Aura Smith, Oirard, elected in 1862; served in 1863 and 1864. 

Ilarvey Haynes, Coldwater, elected in 1864 ; served in 1865 and 1866. 



112 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



John H. Jones, Quincy, elected in 1864; served in 1865 and 1866. 
Darius Monroe. Bronson, elected in 1864:; served in 1865 and 1866. 
Julius S. Barber, Coldwater, elected in 1866; served in 1867 and 

1868. 
Isaac D. Beall, Sherwood, elected in 1866. 
John H. Jones, Quincy, elected in 1866. 

Isaac D. Beall, Sherwood, elected in 186S; served in 1869 and 1870. 
Ezra Bostwick, Union City, elected in 1868. 
James A. Williams, Quincy, elected in 1868. 

J. A. Williams, Quincy, elected in 1870; served in 1871 and 1872. 
Harvey Haynes, Coldwater, elected in 1870. 
Geo. F. Gillam, Bronson, elected in 1870. 
Geo. W. Van Aken, Coldwater, elected in 1872; served in 1873 and 

1874. 
Erastus J. Welker, Kinderhook, elected in 1872. 
Geo. P. Robinson, Noble, elected in 1874; served in 1875 and 1876. 



Geo. W. Van Aken, Coldwater, elected in 1874. 

Erastus J. Welker, Kinderhook, elected in 1876; served in 1877 and 

1878. 
Rodney K. Twaddell, Quincy, elected in 1876; served in 1877 and 

1878. 
Rodney K. Twaddell, Quincy, elected in 1878. 
Calvin T. Thorp, Sherwood, elected in 1878. 

MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION'S. 

Convention of September, 18.36, Harvey Warner, Coldwater. 

Convention of December, 1836, James B. Tompkins, Girard.* 

Convention of 1850, Wales Adams, Bronson; Alvarado Brown, 
Quincy ; Asahel Brown, Algansee. 

Convention of 1867, Cyrus G. Luce, Gilead; Asahel Brown, Cold- 
water. 

* Did not take bis seat. 



CITY OF COLDWATER. 



The early associations of roldwator, as of tlie entire 
region surrounding it, are inscpanililj' connected with the 
Indian ; and yet this peculiar race enter but little into the 
actual history of the early settlement of the hamlet. The 
foremost pioneers came but a few years before the govern- 
ment had consigned them to their Western reservations, 
and tlicy were but passive characters in the scenes which 
accompanied the first clearing of the country, — leading a 
nomadic life, pitching their wigwams here and there as 
pleasure or abundant supplies of game might dictate, and 
continually living in the fear of the edict wliich should 
remove them from tlieir native forests and consign them to 
the hunting-grounds of the far West. The first projectors 
of the village have so fiir perpetuated the memory of the 
Indian as to have christened it in their own language. 
It was originally called Lyons, one of the early residents 
having named it after his native town of that name in New 
York State. But, upon conferring with others, who, like 
himself, were emigrants, it was decided to give it the name, 
it at present bears, of Coldwater, from the Indian Cliuck- 
sew-y<t-hish. In the bed of the little river, which runs 
through the western portion of the city, were springs con- 
stantly bubbling up of very much lower temperature than 
the surrounding water. The Indian placed his hand in 
this water and exclaimed chticJc-seio-i/a-bish ! (cold water.) 
Hence the derivation of the word. 

As early as 1880 there was no tiioroughfare other than 
the Chicago road. This ran through the northern portion 
of the present city, and was simply the Indian trail followed 
by them in their westward wanderings, and marked out in 
the year 1829. It was not worked until 1832, and con- 
sisted before that thue of simple guides or marks, such as 
were employed by the tribes ; the blazing of trees and 
clearing of brush furnishing the only intimation to the 
traveler that his course was a direct one. On the ground 
now covered by the cemetery and one and a half miles west 
was a trading-post, and another was located two and a half 
miles ea.st. In 1830, Hugh Campbell located the ground 
now occupied by the Lewis Art Gallery on Chicago Street, 
and erected a log house, living there until the following 
year. Afterwards came Abrara F. Bolton, who died in 
Napoleon, Jackson Co., some years since, and John Morse, 
who kept a hotel two miles east and twenty rods scmth of 
the present Chicago road. Then came Lemuel Bingham 
and family, Robert J. Cross, and William H. Cross, and 
entered all the land on .section 22, with the exception of 
two lots on the west side of the section. 

Col. A. F. Bolton was the first justice of the peace for 

Coldwater, receiving his appointment in the fall of 1830; 

Kiibort J. Cross being the second, of whom it is related 

that on being proposed for the office he at first declined, 

15 



but on being pressed accepted on condition that one of his 
friends, better versed in judicial lore, teach him the differ- 
ence between a summons and a subpoena. The first trial 
by jury was also held before the colonel, in the year 183G, 
who did not recognize any absolute necessity for receiving 
his commission before dispensing justice, and forthwith 
sentenced the culprit, who was a mulatto, and had been 
convicted of larceny. 

Joseph Hanchett took up the east half of the northea.st 
(|uartcr of section 21, and Robert Abbott took up the west 
half of the northea.st quarter of the same section. At 
thi« time the whole of Branch County was known as the 
township of Green, and attached to St. Joseph County for 
judicial purposes. The county-seat in the year 1831 was 
Masonville, on the Coldwater River. It was subsequently 
removed to Branch, and finally Coldwater bore away the 
laurels. The strife connected with the question of a county- 
seat is familiar to the early residents, and the rival aspirants 
for this distinction were uncertain as to the is.sue until 1842, 
when a decree of the Legislature fixed it at Coldwater. 
Allen Tibbets, one of the earliest pioneere, who still resides 
in Coldwater, and retains a vivid recollection of early events, 
entered the west half of the southwest quarter of section 
22, and at the same time owned the west half of the north- 
west quarter of section 22. Mr. Tibbets then occupied 
the log house built by Hugh Camj)bell, a very primitive 
affair, with no floors, and the beds resting on the ground. 
Rude and uncomforUible as this shelter seems to us in these 
later days of luxury, Mr. Hanchett was glad to share the 
comforts which its limited quarters afforded. Mr. Tibbets, 
who was a clergyman, has the distinction of preaching the 
first sermon in Coldwater. He is now in his seventy-fifth 
year, and in many interesting convereations with the writer 
has given a very remarkable record of his life. He relates 
the following : " I never swore an oath or took a chew of 
tobacco or smoked a whole cigar. I never bought or sold 
a drink of whisky or brandy for myself. I never owned 
or carried a pistol. I never made a kite or plaj'ed a game 
of marbles. I never sung a song or played a game of 
checkers, billiards, or croquet, nor a game of cards. In a 
travel of over one hundred thousand miles by public con- 
veyances I never met with an accident or was a moment too 
lat« when it depended upon my own exertion. I never 
skated a rod or .struck a man a blow with my fist. I can 
repeat more of the Bible than any man living of whom I 
have any knowledge. I have given in.struction to more 
than two hundred thousand pupils. I am the only one alive 
of the persons who composed the first church in this city 
and county. I have given away more real estate to this 
city than all its other inhabitants. I preached for fifieen 
years and traveled more than five hundred miles, attending 

113 



114 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



funerals, and all the salary I ever received was a pound of 
tea worth seventy-five cents." Surely a very remarkable 
record. 

The village of Coldwater was laid out in 1832. The 
post-office at this time was one and a half miles west, at 
Masonville, with Harvey Warner as the first postmaster ; 
but it was later removed to Branch, and the postmaster, re- 
taining his oflBce, also removed to that point. In 1833 an 
office was established at Coldwater, with Silas A. Holbrook 
as postmaster. In July of 1832, those of the early settlers 
who had children were desirous of having them receive such 
instruction as was possible in an uu.settled country, and Miss 
Cynthia Gloyd opened a school in a cabin one mile east of 
the public square, with nine pupils. In 1834 the first public 
school building was erected on the corner of Hudson and 
Pearl Streets, and this was soon after superseded by the 
" old red school-house," which stood on the north end of 
the same lot on Hudson Street, and was later used as a 
blacksmith-shop. The original site of this school building 
was intended to be on the corner of Chicago and Clay 
Streets, which at that early day was an unbroken piece of 
woods, but Mr. Tibbets made a proposition to change the 
location to one more convenient and accessible, and offered 
to donate a lot six by twelve rods in size for the purpose, 
which offer was accepted, and the school-house was at once 
erected. Peter Martin, who has since died in Wisconsin, 
erected a saw-mill in 1832, and for a time furnished most of 
the material which the settlei-s used in making for them- 
selves comfortable habitations. Before that time a pilgrim- 
age to the Pocahontas mills, one mile south of the village of 
Branch, was necessary when timber was to be dressed and 
made ready for use. At the latter mills was sawed the 
timber for the construction of the first frame house, which 
was built by Harvey Warner for Silas A. Holbrook. 

In 1832 the village was platted, the survey having been 
made by James B. Tompkins, who still survives and resides 
in the township of Girard. Tiie previous year, Joseph 
Hancbett erected what for the times was a residence far in 
advance of the log houses of the day. It was simply a 
block-house, the timbers of which were hewn outside, and 
gave it a more finished aspect than was common among its 
less pretentious neighbors. It stood on ground now covered 
by a portion of the east side of Monroe Street, north of 
Chicago Street, and opposite the post-office. 

At this era there were no grist-mills nearer than Tecumseh 
or Constantine, and the meal used for food, which was prin- 
cipally corn, was ground by a novel and interesting process. 
An oak log, about two and a half feet in diameter, was 
chopped to a length of three feet and placed on end. By 
chopping and burning, a mortar-like hole was made in the 
top of it, after which, by means of a spring-pole with a 
pounder attached to the end, the corn, which was placed in 
the depression made at the top of the log, was pounded. 
It was then sifted, the finer portion being made into corn- 
bread and the coarser into samp. In this primitive manner 
did the early pioneers of this now flourishing and beautiful 
city subsist. 

Wild animals were frequently to be seen, and wolves were 
not uncommon visitors at the door-yards of the inhabitants. 
Early in 1832 the little community was thrown into the 



greatest excitement and alarm by the startling report that 
Black Hawk, a noted chief of the Foftawattamits, was 
leading the Indians of the West and North on an expedi- 
tion of plunder and massacre. The report, alas ! proved 
too true. A call upon the scattered settlers was quickly 
made, and all capable of bearing arms were summoned to 
the field. In a few days the quiet village was thronged 
with soldiers and resounded with the strains of martial 
music. 

Soon the little army, augmented by all the neighbors for 
miles around, took up the line of march for the more im- 
mediate scene of stril'e, commanded by Gen. Brown, of Te- 
cumseh, who acted under Gen. John R. Williams, of the 
regular army, then stationed at Detroit. A few days of 
intense anxiety supervened. One sultry day in June was 
seen approaching in the distance a single horseman, covered 
with the dust and foam of hard travel. The consternation 
of the inhabitants who remained at home was intense, when 
the stranger proclaimed the fact that " The Indians have 
burned Chicago, massacred all the inhabitants, and are 
sweeping through the settlements and rapidly approaching 
us!" This intelligence, which, for the time, was believed, 
was not contradicted until the following day, when the stage 
brought the glad tidings that matters were safe at the West. 
Gen. Brown and his command went as far as Niles, and 
there encamped. An engagement occurred beyond Chi- 
cago, and the desperate chief was captured. The troops 
then returned to their homes. 

The only communication between Chicago and Detroit 
at this time was by stage. This mode of travel, however 
primitive it may seem to us, was in early days regarded not 
only as speedy but luxurious. These stages were well ap- 
pointed, and stopped at all the settlements. 

The first death that occurred in the village was that of a 
child of Allen Tibbets, aged about two years, who died Oct. 
17, 1831, and was buried ou jMr. Tibbets' old farm. The 
remains were, later, removed to the cemetery. A death had 
occurred previous to this, but none in the settlement of Cold- 
water. The first child born in the village was a child of 
Allen Tibbets, — Harriet Maria, — and the date June 11, 
1832. The first marriage was that of Dr. Enoch Chase 
and Miss Ellsworth, the doctor having been surgeon and 
adjutant of the battalion commanded by Maj. Joues in the 
Black Hawk war. The first physician in Coldwater was 
Dr. Wni. Henry, who arrived in the summer of 1830 from 
Cayuga Co., N. Y. He was a gentleman of advanced years. 
This was before the tide of emigration had set in, and emi- 
grants to the Territory were principally attracted to the east 
side. An arrival at that time was an event, and a family 
appearing with the intention of making a permanent loca- 
tion was welcomed with a degree of cordiality which could 
leave no question of its genuineness. John Wilson and 
wife came in 1832, and located on the ground now covered 
by Dr. John H. Beach's residence, Mr. Tibbets offering 
them the lot as an inducement to build. Silas A. Holbrook 
opened a store in 1831, the goods having been furnished by 
Glover Hibbard, who came the following year, and died, 
after a very brief residence, of congestive chills. One of 
the old residents describes the village at this time as little 
more than a vast farm, with hills of corn and grain cover- 



Ca^^ a /^^<^^^^_^^ J^C^ 6^2^.^^ J ^$^c^ ^;?^;-^^ (%.^ac::i 



J'.^ ^Z^rc,^ f 5^' 



/^&i.<^ C.-^t- 



'>«?s^^ <^ 










HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



115 



ing the present squares of tlie city. Many new-comers 
were obliged to camp out until suitable accommodations 
could be afforded them, though there was certainly no lack 
of such hospitality as was possible to offer. 

The year 1835 was rendered memorable by the advent 
of a colony from the East, some of the leading spirits of 
which, by their enterprise and business capacity, materially 
influenced the destiny of the future city. Among them 
were Bradley Crippen and his four sons, — Lorenzo D. (who 
died in this city in 1864), Philo H., Benjamin, and Rev. 
Elliott M., — James Fisk, Thomas Dougherty (who still sur- 
vives), Francis Smith, Dr. William B. Sprague (living in 
the city). Dr. Darwin Littlefield, James Haines and his sons 
John T. (who died on .shipboard while en route for Califor- 
nia), Levi, Harvey, and James. James Haines, on his arri- 
val, erected a very comfortable abode, one and a half stories 
high, Ilarvey Warner being the carpenter. The hou.ses 
previous to this time had been built without stone founda- 
tions, — there being no stones on the open prairie, and it was 
supposed'none on the timber-land which had not been cleared. 
It was also very difficult to construct wells, as it was almost 
impossible to obtain stone with which to wall them. 

About 1835 the village assumed a more progressive 
aspect, improvements were marked, and new life was in- 
fused into the hamlet by the inerea.sing emigration. Allen 
Tibbets built during the year a frame house, which was 
not only spacious but imposing in comparison to its hum- 
bler neighbors. S. A. Holbrook erected a building, and 
Dr. Cha.se also built on a lot sold him by Mr. Tibbets, on 
condition that he would erect within two years a residence 
upon it. Buildings were in such demand that it was diffi- 
cult to keep pace with the wants of the community. Every 
new structure that rose had an immediate tenant, and the 
want of lath and plaster was no obstacle to the occupant. 

Parley Stockwell, who still survives, and resides in the 
city, came in 1835, and engaged for a while in buying 
cattle and supplying the residents with fresh meat. He 
speaks with much satisfaction of the generosity of James 
Hanchett, who, .soon after bis arrival, loaned him money 
with which to buy fourteen head of cattle, for which he 
paid fifty dollars apiece, and refused any security for the 
loan. 

Chauncey Strong came during this year, and entered 
eighty acres of land where a portion of the State school 
buildings now stand. He inclosed one hundred dollars 
with which to make a payment on this land, and placed it 
in the post-office at Mason. But the money never reached 
iUs destination, payments for land then being made at Kala- 
mazoo. Mr. Strong being little able to bear the loss, the 
citizens, raised a subscription, and the land was rapidly paid 
for, precautions having been taken to guard the second time 
against postal accidents. 

The agitation of the point at which to locate a county- 
seat finally induced the Governor to appoint a commission 
to determine upon the site. This commission embraced 
Henry Disbrow, Daniel O'Keefe, and Charles Grant. They 
selected Branch, it, being the geographical centre of the 
county, and entered a considerable tract of land at that 
point. These lands were offeriid later at such extravagant 
rates that it was not easy to become a purchaser, and much 



dissatisfaction ensued. Finally a petition was circulated 
praying for the removal of the seat, and after several efforts 
it was ultimately changed to its present location. On so 
slight a tenure as this at one time hung the destinies of 
Coldwater. Between the years 1830 and 1840 much sick- 
ness prevailed, fever and congestive chills being very com- 
mon, and often fatal. Twenty-five and thirty deaths a 
month were not uncommon. This was generally attributed 
to a mill-dam south of the city. The people resolved to 
rid them.selves of the nuisance, and one morning in a body 
cliarged upon the offending structure and tore it down. 
Mr. Frink, one of the proprietors, having remonstrated, 
they threw him into the water without ceremony. The 
sanitary condition of the place improved from that time, 
and ultimately became perfect!}' healthy. 

In 1836, L. D. Halsted came from New York State and 
opened a tailor-shop. Bringing with him nothing but a 
thimble as the badge of his craft, he has continued to reside 
in Coldwater, where by industry and application to business 
he has earned a competence. 

In 1837 the village of Coldwater was organized, with a 
president, board of trustees, and other officers necessary to 
a village government. We have been so fortunate after 
much research and labor as to find the original record of 
the first election, and herewith afford our readers an excel- 
lent fac-similc of the document. 

The same year the Coldwater Bank was organized, and 
forms so important a part of the early history of the city 
that we have devoted some space to it under the head of 
the " Banks." 

The first ball given in Coldwater occurred Jan. 8, 1838. 
Hull and Arnold's orchestra furnished the music. Mr. 
Hull taught the first dancing-school, in the winter of 1839, 
and gave the music at the inauguration ball of Gen. Harri- 
son, in 1841, of James K. Polk, in 1845, at the American 
House, and of Gen. Taylor, in 1849, at the Franklin Hotel. 
They have continued from that time to the present to fur- 
nish excellent music on all prominent social occasions, 
being now in the forty-second year of their organization. 

At this time there were two hotels, — the Eagle and 
American, — both of which did a flourishing business. The 
first Methodist church was also erected at this period, which 
was a substantial structure, built of wood, aud six years 
later the first Baptist church was constructed. All supplies 
at this time were brought from Detroit, the round trip being 
a distance of two hundred and forty miles. Prices were high, 
— a barrel of salt costing twelve dollars to deliver, and nails 
eight dollars, with three dollars added for transportation. 

The first brick building was erected for Messrs. Porter 
& Wendell and Skeels & Lewis, who occupied it as a store, 
the site being the present location of the Michigan South- 
ern Bank. Later, Dr. Wm. B. Sprague erected, on Chicago 
Street, a pretentious residence, which is still standing. 

One of the events of the year 1840 was the Tippecanoe 
campaign. The citizens of Coldwater held a Hard Cider 
Log Cabin celebration, which rivaled in zeal if not in num- 
bers the political rallies of the present day. It was the 
great occasion of the year, and the growing village was the 
centre of such an enthusiastic crowd of patriots as was sel- 
dom gathered together in the Territory. 



116 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Farmers from the East came in numbers, and the country 
adjacent to the village was rapidly settled and improved. 

In 1842 the wheat crop was almost entirely blasted by 
insects, and prices rose correspondingly ; but, as a compensa- 
tion for this disaster, the year following produced the largest 
wheat crop ever known since that period. In 1847 and 
1848 brick houses became more numerous, Bradley Plato 
having established a brick-yard at Branch, and supplied tjie 
increasing demand. Roland Root had previously built a 
house which had a stone foundation, and was regarded as 
one of the finest residences of the time. 

We give a resume of the business aspect of the village at 
this time. There were four hotels, — the Morse, kept by 
Christopher Dickenson ; the Eagle, kept by John J. Cur- 
tis, and standing on the site of the present Southern Mich- 
igan ; the American, kept by Anselum Arnold ; and the 
National, at the west end of the village, kept by Alanson 
Bacon. These, with one exception, were all burned at 
later periods. The Franklin was built in place of the 
American, and kept by Dr. Hanchett, and the present 
Southern Michigan superseded the Eagle. The leading 
business men were Lockwood & Williams, Mr. Williams 
having died in 1849 ; Bullard & Cole, A. T. Groendyke, 
Roland Root, John T. Haynes, Asa Parish & Co., and 
Coon Brothers. The lawyers were E. G. Fuller, who still 
survives and is in active practice ; George A. Coe, who died 
in this city in 1869 ; John W. Turner; H. C. and James 
Gilbert. The physicians comprised the following names : 
Drs. William H. Hanchett, H. B. Stillman, Darwin Little- 
field, and Napoleon Byron Welper. Dr. Isaac P. Alger 
began jiractice in 1848, Dr. S. S. Cutler, the year pre- 
viously, and Dr. John H. Beach in 1850. A more ex- 
tended review of the medical profession and tlie bar of 
the city will be given in its appropriate place. The tailors 
were William H. Harpham, John D. Wood, and Lorenzo 
D. Halsted. The druggists were Drs. Li ttlefield, Hanchett, 
and Stillman. There were two newspapers, the Coldwater 
Sentinel, published by Albert Chandler ; and the Branch 
County Jijurnal, issued by Thompson Brothers. 

The first school, of nine pupils, had developed in num- 
bers so rapidly that three district schools were the outgrowth 
of this early effort ; and, after some agitation of the matter 
by the citizens, the present Union school was organized, 
its roll now embracing eleven hundred scholars. 

The painters were Silas Bellamy, Morris Howe, and one 
Melvin. The wagon-maker was Burt Pjtheridge, who also 
enjoyed a considerable reputation as a millwright. Tiie 
machinists were 0. C. Graham and William Walton. The 
blacksmiths, Levi Burdick and John Hyde. Henry Moore 
was watchmaker for the citizens of the little village, and 
his work bore evidence that he had learned his trade thor- 
oughly. Ramsdell, Pelton & Co. were the proprietors of 
the only oil-mill and distillery. An event of much interest 
in 1849 was the first general training. General Stevens 
commanded the brave militia, who performed their evolu- 
tions on this occasion much to the delight of the youth of 
the neighborhood and the amusement of the older heads. 

In 1852 the present court-house was built, and though 
not now remarkable for architectural grace, is superior in 
convenience to the edifice as it originally stood. The awk- 



ward arrangement of certain appointments connected with 
the court-room elicited from one of the judges the remark 
that the architect who designed it deserved to be sentenced 
to the penitentiary. 

About this time occurred the robbery of the county treas- 
ury. The treasurer had drawn sixteen hundred dollars to be 
distributed among the various school districts. He jilaced the 
funds in his .safe, which was apparenlly no more secure against 
the cunning of the skillful cracksman than are those of the 
present day. During the night the lock was broken and 
the money abstracted. Several parties were suspected, and 
one Sandy arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the 
penitentiary. The township of Coldwater had already been 
paid, but the loss fell heavily upon other less fortunate 
townships. By a special act of Legislature the money was 
reassessed back to the State, and the various town.ships 
were reimbursed, the State sustaining the loss. The year 
1850 is remembered from the disastrous fire that occurred 
on the south side of Chicago Street, and which consumed 
the early records of the village, then in the village clerk's 
oflnce. This was but the forerunner, however, of a confla- 
gration on the opposite side of the street the year following, 
sweeping the whole block in its progress, and creating great 
havoc among the inhabitants. As a remarkable evidence 
of the energy and ambition of the business men of that day, 
it may be stated that immediately new and commodious 
buildings rose phoenix-like from the ruins of the old, and 
in a very brief time all evidence of the late calamity was 
effaced. 

During that year the Michigan Southern Railroad — the 
track of which had been laid the preceding year — was 
completed, and the road in operation. With this railroad 
came an era of prosperity to the country. Farmers found 
an outlet for their produce, and at rates much below the 
ordinary cost of transportation, while the little village was 
rendered easily accessible to purchasers. 

The inhabitants of Coldwater were thrown into conster- 
nation during the building of this road by a riot among the 
laborers who were employed in its construction. The agent 
of the company was one Sargent, who had allowed his 
finances to become sadly entangled, and the men, not having 
for some time received any pay, rebelled and became very 
boisterous. They advanced en masse to the portion of the 
road adjacent to the city, and proceeded to tear up the 
track and fill the space with dirt. Matters at length be- 
came so serious that a resort to extreme measures was ne- 
cessary. The marshal with a posse of men was ordered to 
the scene of the disturbance, and for a time it seemed that 
bloodshed was inevitable, but by the excellent tact oF the 
marshal, Mr. Roland Root, the matter was finally quieted, 
and the men eventually received a portion, if not all their 

pay- 

At this period money was not as plenty as it afterwards 
became. Mr. John Roberts relates as an instance of this 
fact that he and a brother purchased a tract of land, giving 
a mortgage therefor, the interest payable in good potatoes 
at cash price. The mortgagee found it difficult to sell from 
the peculiar character of the interest payment. 

Among the most interesting pioneers whom it has been 
the writer's pleasure to meet, are Mr. and Mrs. Caleb B. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



117 



Peck]iaiii, who came from Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1836, 
and located upon a tract of land ono mile soutli of the city. 

They liave been united in marriage sixty-seven years, 
and are still hale and active, though this venerable gentle- 
man is able to indulge in a retrospect embracing nearly 
ninety years. They now reside iu the city, having retired 
from the busy cares of the farm. 

The good citizens of the village wore resolved to main- 
tain the moral character of the community, as the following 
ordinance indicates : 

"an ordinaxce to prevent gambling. 

"The Presidont andTruslecs of the Village of Coldwater ordain as 
follows : 

"Section 1. If any person shall kcejt, or knowingly suifer to be 
kept, in any house, bniMing, yard, garden, or depenilency thereof by 
him actually used or occupied, within t!ie limits of this corporation, 
any table for the purpose of playing at Billiards, or suffer any jicrson 
to resort to the same for the purpose of playing at Billiards, Cards, 
Dice, or any unlawful game, every person so ofl'ending, shall, for each 
and every such offense forfeit the sum of One Hundred Dollars. 

"Section 2. If any person sliall keep, or knowingly suffer to be 
kept, in any house, building, yard, garden, or depemlcncy thereof, or 
in any field by him ownc<l or occupied, within tlie limits of this cor- 
poration, any Nine-Pin Alley, or any Alley to be used in the playing 
of Nino Pins, or any other like game, whether to be played with one 
or more balls, or with nine or any other number of pins, or shall suffer 
any person to resort to the same for the purpose of playing at any 
such game, every such person so offending shall, for each and every 
Buch offense, forfeit the sum of One Hundred Dollars. 

"Section 3. All penalties and forfeitures mentioned in this Ordi- 
nance may bo recovered in an action of Debt, before any Justice of 
the Peace, residing in this Village, in the name of the ' President and 
Trustees of the Village of Coldwater,' for the use of the Corporation. 

'* Section 4. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force imme- 
diately after it shall have been published in the Coldtcater Sentinel 
three weeks successively. 

"Passed Sept. 18, 1851. 

"H. Wahneu, President. 
" E. G. Filler, Recorder." 

The village continued to increase in dimensions and im- 
portance, though no events of special moment transpired. 
The clmrches were rebuilt, and iiew and imposing structures 
took the places of the old. In no one thing does Coldwater 
indicate her advance and the moral sentiment which per- 
vades the community more than in the devotion of her citi- 
zens to church interests. The various denominations vie 
with each other in the elegance of their church edifices, 
and an unusual proportion of the whole population are 
regular attendants on divine service. During this period 
many public and private buildings were erected and various 
enterprises established, which aided greatly in advancing 
the interests of the place. Some of these are already treated 
more fully as separate organizations in this history. 

In 18(jl the citizens, having become more ambitious in 
the science of government, obtained a city charter, and the 
village became from that time known as the city of Cold- 
water, with its regularly-elected mayor and board of alder- 
men. 

The following are the original entries made on territory 
now comprised within the city limits : 

section FIFTEE.N. 

John Morse, 80 acres, Oct. II, 1830. 
A. F. Bolton, 80 acres. Jan. 15, 1831. 
L. L. Bingham, 80 acres, Jan. 27, 1832. 



John Morse, 80 acres, Dec. 11, 1832. 
Enoch Chase, 80 acres, July 15, 1834. 
Itobert J. Cross, 80 acres, Jan. 21, IS3I. 
Robert H. Abbott, 80 acres, Jan. 6, 1831. 
James Fisk, 80 acres, Jan 12, 1835. 

SECTION sixteen — PUBLIC SCHOOL LAND. 

Ifarvey Warner, 5 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 
E. (i. Fuller, 5 acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 
W. II. Ilanchctt, 5 acres, Sept., 1842. 
1). Waterman, 2j% acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 

C. n. Williams, 2/o<i|, acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 
James Pierson, 5 acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 
James Pierson, 5 acres, Sept. I, 1842. 
John T. Haynes, 5 acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 
Wm. II. Cross, a acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 
Itolnnd Root, 5 acres, Sej)t., 1842. 

L. D. i P. H. Crippen, M^^^ acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 

J. T. Uaynes, 2^% acres, April 20, 1847. 

I.. D. A P. H. Crippen, i^^^ acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 

Wm. L. Gilbert, ^^^ acre, Feb. 27, 1843. 

L. D. & P. II. Crippen, 5 acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 

L. D. &, P. H. Crippen, 5 acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 

Ira Paddock, 10 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 

Thos. Dooherty, 10 acres, Aug., 1837. 

Wm. L. Gilbert, 10 acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 

A. Chandler, 5 acres, Sept., 1842. 
Roland Root, 5 acres, Sept., 1842. 
L. D. Crippen, 10 acrc.«, Sept., 1842. 
E. W. Crippen. 10 acres, Dec. 7, 1842. 
P. II. Crippen, 10 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 
P. II. Crippen, 10 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 
Isaac Pierce, 20 acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 
Jose]ih II. Hanchetl, 20 acres. May I, 1843. 
John A. MeCrea, 40 acres, April 26, 1855. 

W. H. Paddock (admin.;, 20 acres, April, 1855. 
George Quick, 20 acres, April, 1855. 
Asa Parish, 20 acres, April, 1865. 

D. Littlcfield, 20 acres, April, 1855. 
W. Chapman, 20 acres, April, 1855. 
S. A. Holbrook, 20 acres, April, 1855. 

B. Crippen, Sf'j*, acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 
II. Buell, 10 acres, Sept. I, 1842. 
Isaac Pierce, S^d'j acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 
B. Crippen, 10 acres, Sept. 1, 1842. 
J. H. Hard, 10 acres, June 10, 1846, 
T. Doogerty, 10 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 
James Pierce, 20 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 
B. Crippen, 20 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 

J. G. Warner, 20 acres', Sept. 1, 1842. 
B, W. Crippen, 20 acres, Sept., 1842, 
A. Parish, 20 acres, Sept., 1842. 
J. F. Haynes, 40 acres, Sept., 1842. 
J. F. Haynes, i{-^ij acres, Jan. 15, 1S51. 
J. F. Haynes, 5 acres, Jan., 1851. 
George Quick, 5 acres, Jan., 1851. 

E. G. Parsons, 2^^^ acres, Jan., 1851. 
J. (i. Parkhurst, -i-^^Q acres, Jan., I85I. 

section SEVENTEEN. 

Abram F. Bolten, 80jV(J ""res, Dec. 1, 1829. 
Junius H. Hatch, 63^„»|; acres, Aug. 23, 1833. 
Junius H. Hatch, 63^j'j acres, Sept. 10, 1833. 
Sylvester Smith, I'i'^^^ acres, June II, 1835. 

SECTION TWENTY. 

E. S. & J. H. Hanchctt, 52 acres, April 8, 1835. 
-Joseph Hanchctt, 62^^^ acres, June 12, 1835. 
Parley Stockwell, 54^"^ acres, Aug. 31, 1835. 

SECTTON TWESTV-ONE. 

~ Joseph Hanchctt, Jr., 80 acres, Oct. !», 1830. 
Elisha Warren, 80 acres, Nov. S, 1831. 
Peter .Martin, 80 acres. May 28, 1832. 



118 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Joseph Hanchett, 40 acres, Oct. 9, 1834. 
Ephraim Priest, 40 acres, Nov. IS, 18.'!4. 
Elijah Ferguson, 4U acres, Jan. 6, 1835. 
Audrain Abbott, 80 acres, June 6, 183T. 
Robert J. Cross, 80 acres, June 21, 1831, 
L. D. Cripjien, 40 acres, June 12, 1835. 
_ Joseph Hanchett, 40 acres, June 12, 1835. 
L. D. &. P. II. Crippen, 40 acres, July IS, 1835. 
Hugh C.amiibell, SO acres, Oct. 9, 1830. 
Robert J. Cross, 240 acres, Oct. 9, 1830. 
Wm. H. Cross, 80 acres, Oct. 9, 1S30. 
Robert J. Cross, 80 acres, Nov. 1, 1830. 
Wm. H. Cross, SO acres, Nov. 1, 1830. 
Allen Tibbetts, 80 acres, June 21, 1831. 

Among the chief attractions of the city is the Lewis Art 
Gallery, an extensive collection of foreign and American 
works of art, which by the munificence of the owner are 
enjoyed by the public at stated times. The refining influ- 
ence of such a collection can scarcely be measured, and its 
effect in creating taste for art and a correct eye for color is 
very apparent in the immediate parts of the State from which 
the gallery is easily accessible. A comprehensive idea of 
the enterprise and its merits will be given elsewhere. The 
Ladies' Library Association, which was established some 
time after, in its quiet way has accomplished equally as much, 
and merits a more extended history in its proper place. 

It is the province of the city historian not so much to 
relate facts and occurrences that have come within the ob- 
servation of present inhabitants, or trace the later progress 
of the city, which is to most readers already as familiar as 
" household words," but to bring down from the musty 
records of the past such early pioneer experiences as will 
enable us to connect the past with the present. 

This we have very briefly done, and the little kamlet of 
nearly half a century gone was but the germ which, fostered 
and encouraged by the spirit of enterprise born in the sturdy 
hearts of the early emigrants, has developed into the attract- 
ive and beautiful city of Coldwater, with its long, wide 
streets, lined with elegant residences and rich foliage, its 
costly churches, its well-developed business enterprise, and 
the refinement and culture of its inhabitants. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The first society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Coldwater was organized by Rev. E. H. Pilcher, preacher 
in charge of Tecum.seh circuit, June 19, 1832, in the log 
house of Allen Tibbits. Its membership consisted of four 
persons, viz., Allen Tibbits, local preacher, Caroline M. 
Tibbits, his wife, Joseph Hanchett, and Nancy Hanchett. 

This was the first religious society organized in Branch 
County. 

The first sermon preached in what is now the beautiful 
city of Coldwater was delivered by Allen Tibbits, in his 
own little log house, on the fourth Sabbath of July, 1831. 
In October, 1831, Rev. E. H. Pilcher preached the first 
funeral discourse ever delivered in Brancli County. It was 
the funeral of a daughter of Allen Tibbits, the first white 
"person who had died in the county. 

In the fall of 1832, Rev. William Sprague became the 
pastor of this little flock, and during his pastorate Miss 
Amelia Harrison was added to the membership. Rev. 
Henry Colclazer became the pastor in 1833, and continued 



for one year. In the fall of 1834 it is probable that Elna- 
than C. Garret, or Rev. Mr. Manier, succeeded Henry Col- 
clazer in the pastorate. 

The society remained the same in numbers up to the fall 
of 1835, when it was greatly strengthened by the coming 
of a colony of Methodists, consisting of the following- 
named persons: Bradly Crippen and family, his three sons, 
Lorenzo D. Crippen, Philo H. Crippen, and Elliott M. 
Crippen, and their wives; Dr. Wm. B. Sprague and wife; 
Dr. D. Littlefield and wife; Thomas Daugherty and wife; 
James Fisk and wife ; and Rev. Francis Smith and wife. 
Some of the children belonging to these families were also 
connected with this society at the same time. During this 
year Coldwater Mission was organized, with Richard Law- 
rence as missionary. It was embraced in what was then 
known as the Ann Arbor district, — Henry Colclazer pre- 
siding elder. It only remained a mission one year, however. 
At the close of the year 1835 the society ceased to be a 
mission, and was organized into a self-supporting circuit, 
and remained so until 1846, when it became a station. 
In 183C, Peter Sabin was preacher-in-charge, and Lewis 
Smith assistant. In 1837, Peter Sabin was preacher-in- 
charge, and Lorenzo Davis assistant. In 1838 the Cold- 
water Society was attached to Marshall District, E. H. 
Pilcher presiding elder, Jas. F. Davidson preacher-in- 
charge, and Levi Warriner assistant. In 1839, Roswell 
Parker was preacher-in-charge, and Jonathan Jones assi.st- 
ant. In 1840, Roswell Parker was preacher-in-charge, and 
Benjamin Sabin assistant. 

In 1840, James Fisk and several others withdrew from 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in consequence of some 
difficulty in regard to the use of instrumental music in the 
church, and organized what is now the Wesleyan Church 
in this city. 

The fir.st house of worship built in Coldwater was built by 
this society in 1836-38. It was a wooden structure and cost 
about thirty three hundred dollars, and stood upon the same 
ground now occupied by the present edifice. It was dedicated 
in June, 1838, Rev. Henry Colclazer preachingthe dedicatory 
sermon. Two sessions of the Michigan Annual Conference 
were held in that building. The first was held in 1844, 
Bishop Hamline presiding. The second was held Oct. 
1-7, 1856, Bishop T. A. Morris presiding. During this 
session of the Conference the present pastor. Rev. J. I. 
Buell, was received on trial into the itinerant ministry of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

The second house of worship built by this society was 
the one it now occupies. It is a beautiful brick structure, 
having an auditorium with a seating capacity of about 800, 
a commodious lecture-room, two class-rooms, a fine suite of 
parlors, an organ-loft, and a pastor's study. It is lighted 
with stained glass of the most elegant design and work- 
manship, the front window unsurpassed by any in the 
State. This building was erected in 1865-69 at a cost of 
twenty-five thousand dollars. It was dedicated Jan. 26, 
1869, by Rev. P. M. Eddy, D.D. 

In 1878 an addition to this building was erected. This 
addition is eighteen feet by thirty-seven feet, and gives the 
siiiic of parlors, the orgau-loft, the rear-entrance, and the 
beautiful study for the pastor. It was built at a cost of 



'^J^^S^."*^ 



""i 




Alonzo Waterman . 



ALONZO WATERMAN. 



The life of Mr. "Waterman was comparatively 
uneventful, marked by few incidents save such as 
occur in the life of every successful merchant and 
business man. He was emphatically a "man of 
affairs," industrious, sagacious, enterprising, and 
public-spiritetl, early developing those qualities 
which so largely contributed to his success in 
after-life, and made him so apt in originating, and 
prompt and efficient in carrying out his well-laid 

plans. 

He was born April 10, 1810, near Syracuse, 
N. Y., and came to this county in 1832, settling in 
Bronson. He engaged in mercantile business there 
with his brothers, but during the next two years 
spent some of the time East. In 1834 he returned 
for a permanent resideuce. 

While living at Bronson he married Miss Ma- 
tilda, daughter of Dr. Hiram Alden, one of the 
early settlers and prominent men of Coldwater, 



who died in Detroit while attending the Legisla- 
ture. 

When the county-seat waa changed to Coldwater, 
and that promised to be the important point iu the 
countv, Mr. Waterman moved there, and engaged iu 
the hardware business for several years, and there 
died, July 29, 1877. In 1845 his wife died, leaving 
two children,— Mrs. H. C. Fenn and Miss Alma 
Waterman. 

In 1849 he married Mrs. Adelia Williams, who 
departed this life in 1870. Mr. Waterman had by 
his active, industrious, and frugal habite accumulated 
a large property, and for the last twenty-five or 
thirty years of his life his time was principally taken 
up in loaning money and renting his property. He 
was very unpretending, and never made a display 
over what he contributed to public enterprises. He 
was always liberal in his gifts to the church of his 
choice,— the Methodist Episcopal- 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



119 



about tliirteou hundred dollars. During this year, also, an 
elegant pi|n'-or;j;an w;us placed in the church. Tliis was a Siift 
to the church from the estate of one of it.s honored, but 
now sainted members, Alonzo Waterman, and his two 
dauj,'hters, Mrs. Mary C. Fenn and Miss Allie A. Water- 
man. It cost two thou.sand two iuiudred and fifty dollars ; 
is very hijjhly appreciated by the society, and stands as a 
speakini; monument to the -generosity of its donors. 

At different periods since 1835 this church has received 
valuable accessions by immigration, though nearly all of 
tlio.se who came during the few years that immediately fol- 
lowed have passed to their heavenly home. David Holmes 
and a few others of this class still remain to honor the 
church. 

Of the large number of those who have been converted 
in this church, and who, from the active part which they 
take in bearing it-s burdens and sharing its responsibilities, 
may be honorably mentioned, are Albert Chandler and wife, 
William S. Gilbert, John Roberts, and L. Vanvalkenburg. 
Some of the men who have been converted in this church 
and counted among its membership have arisen to places of 
distinction in the nation and in the ministry. General 
Clinton B. Fisk may be mentioned in connection with the 
former, and Rev. L. R. Fisk, D.D., president of Albion 
College, and Rev. M. A. Daugherty among the latter. 

The church has been favored with several extensive re- 
vivals of religion. One in 1839-40, under the labors of 
Rev. J. F. Davidson ; one in 1 843— 14, under the labors of 
Rev. John Erconbeck and Benjamin Sabin ; one in 1 854-55, 
under the labors of F. B. Bangs and J. Adams ; and one 
iu 1870, under the labors of Rev. I. Cogshall. 

This church has always been growing and progressive 
in all departments of Christian effort. Its membei-ship 
in 1878 was four hundred and thirty-six. It has a 
Sunday-school, including otficers, teachers and scholars, 
of about three hundred members. As a most interest- 
ing fact, this chureh once had enrolled among its member- 
ship four of the persons who were members of the first 
society of Methodists ever organized in this State. They 
were Robert Abbott, Betsey Abbott, William McCarty, and 
Maria C. McCarty, and their memorable dust now lies 
buried in our city cemetery. 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The hi.story of the Baptist Church of Coldwater is like 
that of most other churches in the ^Vest. From a small 
and discouraging beginning, made by a "faithful few," 
dependent upou the Baptist Home Mission Society for 
support and aid, it has grown to be one of the strong 
churches of the derKjmination in the State, and has already 
returned to the Home Mission cause, many fold. 

In July, 1833, Parley Stockwell, the first Baptist, took 
up his residence here. He was soon followed by Rice Ar- 
nold and Prudence, his wife, — parents of Wm. P. Arnold, 
of Quincy, — Dr. Hiram Alden and family, and Chauncey 
and Nathan Strong and families. During the following 
year they were visited by several Baptist clergyman, one 
being the Rev. E. Loomis, agent of the Home Mission 
Society. 

On the 31st of December, 1834, a meeting was held at 



the residence of Dr. Alden, on Chicago Street, now owned 
and occn]iicd by Deacon Matthias Van Every, to consider 
the propriety of forming a Baptist church. Nathan Strong 
was appointed moderator and Dr. Alden clerk. Afler 
prayer and mature deliberation, on motion of Chauncey 
Strong " the clerk was directed to draft an article to be 
circulated among the members of the Baptist denomination 
in this vicinity desiring to form a conference for the pur- 
pose of maintaining the regular worship of God, and for 
the edification and growth in grace of each other." 

The following article, " We the undersigned, feeling de- 
sirous of maintaining the visible worship of God, agree to 
form ourselves into a conference for that purpose, promising 
to attend to all the regular appointments for that object 
when circumstances will permit," was signed by Chauncey 
Strong, Nathan Strong, Wm. D. Strong, Geo. W. Arnold, 
H. Alden, Parley Stockwell, Ann Logan, Melita Alden, 
Prudence Arnold, Eunice Strong, Sally Strong, Betsey 
Strong, Sarah Strong, Nathan H. Strong, Sarah Sheldon. 

The conference met, Jan. 17, 1835, at the Red School- 
House, at the corner of Hudson and Pearl Streets, and by 
the advice of Rev. E. Loomis, missionary of the American 
Baptist Home INIission Society, agreed to invite the churches 
of Clinton, Swainsville, and Napoleon to hold a council in 
Coldwater, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1835, to take into 
consideration the propriety of constituting a church. Rev. 
E. Loomis was empowered to invite such other ministering 
" brethren as he might deem proper to take part." 

At a meeting of the conference, Feb. 9, 1835, Brother 
Hiram Alden was appointed to represent the conference in 
said council, and the articles of faith and covenant of the 
Baptist Church of Malone, N. Y., were adopted as the 
articles of faith and covenant of this church. 

"Feb. 11,1835, in pursuance of letters missive from 
the Baptist conference in Coldwater, a council assembled at 
the house of H. Alden to consider their members' standing, 
etc., and if thought proper to give them fellowship as a 
church. On examining credentials it was found that the 
following brethren were authorized to act in the council : 
Clinton Church, Rev. R. Powell, Deacon Reuben Downs; 
Rev. W. T. Hall, from the church in Greenfield, Indiana; 
and Rev. E. Loomis, agent of the American Baptist Home 
Mission Society. 

" Council organized by appointing Rev. W. T. Hall 
moderator and Rev. E. Loomis clerk. Prayer by Rev. R. 
Powell. Brother H. Alden, of the conference and acting 
as their representative, presented to the council their pro- 
ceedings thus far and the letters of the members. On ex- 
amination it was found that the following brethren and 
sisters were prepared to enter into the church, viz. : 
Brethren Chauncey Strong, Nathan Strong, Wm. D. 
Strong, Geo. W. Arnold, Hiram Alden, Parley Stockwell, 
and Nathan H. Strong ; Sisters Ruth Strong, Thankful 
Ferguson, Melita Alden, Prudence Arnold, Eunice Strong, 
Sally Strong, Betsey Strong, Sarah Strong, and Sarah 
Sheldon." 

The council examined their proposed articles of faith 
and covenant, and, after some amendments, approved of 
them and " liesohrd, That we recognize the above-named 
brethren and sisters as a regular Baptist church." Rev. R. 



120 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 



Powell preached on the occasion, and Rev. W. T. Hall 
presented the hand of fellowship. 

The church was without a .settled pastor until October of 
the same year, being supplied part of the time by Rev. E. 
Loomis, of the Home Mis-siou Society. June 8, 1835, the 
church voted to unite with the La Grange (Indiana) Bap- 
tist Association, requesting Rev. E. Loomis to represent 
them, and raising seventy-five cents for the minutes. During 
this time four members were received by letter. Oct. 3, 
1835, Nathan Strong and Geo. W. Arnold were chosen 
deacons, and Hiram Alden clerk. Rev. Reuben Graham 
was admitted as a member, and officiated as pastor from 
that time until Sept. 12, 1837, preaching part of the time 
at Branch. Nine were received by letter and one by bap- 
tism. After closing his pastorate he lived on his farm near 
Branch, preaching in the neighborhood and at Ovid, and 
subsequently uniting with this church. He died a few 
years ago, and is buried with his wife on the Baptist church 
burial-lots in Oak Grove Cemetery, where tlie church and 
society erected a suitable tombstone in memory of their first 
pastor. 

From September, 1837, to December, 1842, the records 
of the church show that Rev. Wm. B. Brown was called to 
be the pastor Dec. 18, 1838, and again in June, 1842. 
During this time, in March, 1840, Rev. John Southworth, 
of Tekonsha, father of W. S. Southworth, of this city, was 
pastor, preaching half of his time here and the other half 
at Bronson. About this time he held a revival-meeting at 
Ovid, in the Lockwood neighborhood. He afterwards .settled 
at Colon, founding the Baptist church there, and assisting 
in building up tlie church at Burr Oak. 

The records show that an " Elder Carter'' was here, and 
we are informed that a minister by the name of Mallory 
ofiSciated as pastor. While W. B. Brown was pastor. Rev. 
T. Z. R. Jones assisted in a revival-meeting in the " Red 
school-house." 

In the fall of 1838, John T. Haynes and wife, Armilla 
(present wife of Emerson Marsh), united with the church 
by letter from the church at North Penfield, N. Y. He 
was a man of enterprise and untiring energy, devoted to 
the church of his choice. Liberal to a fault, no sacri- 
fice was too great for him to make, and when he built his 
large residence at the corner of Division and Washington 
Streets (now owned by Dr. Cutter), he made one large 
room of the first story to accommodate the social meetings 
of the church. His house was the home of the pastors and 
their families for months at a time. 

Dec. 18, 1838, the Rev. William B. Brown was called 
as pastor, remaining until July, 1842, the church receiving 
twenty-one members by letter, ten by baptism, and one by 
experience. 

During this time he was assisted in a revival-meeting by 
Rev. T. Z. R. Jones. 

In December, 1842, the Rev. James Davis was settled 
as pastor. He was a man of pre-eminent piety and great 
moral worth. He married the widow of Rev. Eddy Mason, 
who gave to the ministry three sons who have a national 
reputation, and one daughter, Mrs. Haswell, to the Foreign 
Mission cause. One daughter was married to Hon. George 
A. Coe. 



From here Rev. Mr. Davis removed to Bronson, pur- 
chasing a farm near the village. He preached there, and 
aided materially in building up the church at that place. 
During his pastorate, which closed in July, 1844, twenty 
were added to the church by letter, seven by e.xperience, 
and fourteen by baptism. While he was pastor, the church 
united with the Presbyterians, under Rev. Mr. Mills, in a 
scries of remarkable revival-meetings held in the second 
story of a frame building at the northeast corner of the 
public square and Chicago Street, known as the " Coon 
Pen," so called because the Whig party held its club-meet- 
ings there. Up to this time the church had no permanent 
place of worship, meeting at private houses, in a school- 
house at the corner of Pearl and Hudson Streets that was 
rejected by the school district, and in the school-house on 
Clay, a few rods south of Chicago Street. 

The Baptists and Presbyterians met together for a long 
time, the congregations joining when their respective pastors 
officiated. In June, 1843, the clerk reported fifty-three 
members. On the 12th of August, 1843, the church and 
society was organized under the statutes of Michigan, and 
on the 20th of December following voted to build a house 
of worship, and purchased the lot where Seely's Block now 
stands. John T. Haynes, Samuel Etheridge, and Henry 
Lockwood were appointed a committee to circulate a sub- 
scription to raise the necessary funds. The trustees, Elisha 
Jennings, Harvey Haynes, Samuel Etheridge, A. Van 
Blarcum, Calvin Pratt, A. Richards, and John T. Haynes 
were the building committee, and were authorized to " con- 
tract to build a meeting-house with the subscription and 
to use it at their discretion." A tine fr.ime churcli was soon 
thereafter erected. 

Nov. 10, 1844, the church settled Rev. J. A. Keyes as 
pastor. He remained until August, 1845. Twelve were 
received by letter, one by experience, and three by baptism 
during this time. A Sabbath-school was organized under 
his pastorate. 

In October, 1845, Rev. Oliver C. Comstock was installed 
as pastor, and remained with the church until June, 1848. 
Thirty-five members were received by letter and three by 
baptism, under his ministrations. He was an able and 
powerful preacher, having been a physician in the State of 
New York, and was elected to three successive terms of 
Congress from that State ; was ordained to the ministry in 
Washington City ; he returned home and declined a renom- 
inalion, and was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist 
Church in Rochester. In 1834 he was chaplain in Con- 
gress, and after coming to this State was twice elected to 
the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and re- 
presented Branch County one term in the Legislature. 
From here he removed to Marshall, where he died in 1860 
at tlie age of seventy-nine years. 

In November, 1848, the church called the Rev. Anson 
P. Tucker, who was pastor until May, 1850. He was a 
man of superior talent, and an attractive preacher. He 
belonged to the noted Tucker family so well known in New 
York, there being five brothers. Baptist clergymen, and all 
of them men of large experience and reputation. During 
this time there were received twent^'-two by letter, seven- 
teen by baptism, and .seven by experience. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



121 



Oct. 20, 18.50, the chuicli cullod V. O. Jlarsli to tlie 
pastorate, and he was ordained as a minister by a council 
held with the church, Dee. 19, 1850. lie remained with 
the church until October, 185:5, during; which time eight 
were received by baptism, thirty-one by letter, and two by 
experience. In June, 1851, the church liavini; been a 
member of the St. Joseph River Association, a.sked for 
and received a lett<;r of dismission, to unite with the Hills- 
dale A.s.sociation. In the winter of 1852-53 the church 
sold their lot on Chica<j;o Street and bought the lot on the 
corner of Monroe and Pearl Streets, removing their build- 
ing there. With the suiphis money a par.soiiage was pur- 
chased, being the present residence of Dr. Marsh, on West 
Chicago Street. 

From December, 18515, to June, 1856, Rev. E. J. Corey 
was pastor, and during this time thirty-five were received 
by baptism, fifly-four by letter, and two by experience. 

In January, 1857, Rev. A. A. Ellis was called as pastor, 
and remained until April, 1858, the church receiving four 
members by baptism, ten by letter, and two by experience. 

June 3, 1858, Rev. Edwin Eaton, of Jlonroeville, Ohio, 
was cho.sen pastor, continuing until April, 1800. He was 
an able and popular man, and greatly beloved by everybody. 
While he was pastor one hundred and forty-two were added 
to the church by baptism, seventy -seven by letter, and twenty- 
two by experience. From here he was called to the cluuxli 
at Muscatine, Iowa, and the degree of Doctor of Divinity 
was conferred upon him. He died at La Grange, Mo. 

During his ministry the present church odilice was erec- 
ted. In March, 1855, the ((ucstion of building a larger 
church was disous.sed, and a cumniittee ai)pointed to con- 
sider and report thereon ; but not until Jan. 19, 1863, did 
the subject as.surae a tangible shape. At a meeting of the 
church and society, on motion of Rev. E. Eaton, it was 
" Resolved, that in the opinion of this meeting, it is both 
practicable and expedient for us to build a church edifice 
this present year." 

B. Eiheridge, E. H. Dunks, A, S. Glessner, Harvey 
Haynes, and B. S. Webb were appointed a committee to 
select a site, and on motion of 11. C. Lewis, it was resolved 
that a church be built, costing not less than ten thousand 
dollars. 

At a subsequent meeting, Feb. 2, 1863, the present site, 
at the corner of Division and Pearl, was agreed upon, 
Mr. Lewis giving half the ground and one thousand 
dollars, and Mr. Allen the other half of the land and 
seven hundred dollai-s. A. Allen, A. S. Glessner, and E. 
H. Dunks were chosen building committee. Burt Eth- 
eridge, Harvey Haynes, T. C. Ethcridge, and I). N. Green 
were afterwards added to the committee. 

Under the management of the committee, the work of 
building progressed raj)idly, so that on Sunday, Nov. 13, 
1864, Rev. E. Eaton preached the first sermon in the lee- 
ture-room. In August, 1865, the audience-room was fin- 
ished and furnished, and the church dedicated, free from 
debt. Rev. E. Curtis preaching the dedicatory sermon. It 
was the first church edifice erected in Coldwater of any 
pretensions, costing, furnishing included, about twenty-five 
thousand dollars. Since that time a bell, weighing two 
thousand and fifty pounds, has been hung in the belfry, 
16 



and last year one of Johnson & Son's best pipe-organs was 
built in the church at a cost of two thousand five hundred 
dollars. 

After the close of the pa.storate of Rev. E. Eaton, Rev. 
E. Curtis, who is well an<l prominently known in Michigan, 
supplied the church for a time, and w;ls settled as pastor 
in September, 1866, continuing until September, 1868. 
Sixteen were received by baptism, thirty-one by letter, and 
one by experience during this time. 

From Oct. 25, 1868, to December, 1870, Rev, N. Pierce 
was pastor. Forty-one were received by baptism, twenty- 
nine by letter, and four by experience during liis ministry. 
From here he was called to the Baptist church at Spring- 
field, III., where he died a few years ago. 

June 11, 1871, Rev. W. T. Lowry, of Minneapolis, the 
present pastor, commenced his labors. During his pastorate 
tlie church has been very prosperous, enjoying one of the 
greatest revivals in its history. Under his ministry there 
have been added to the church one hundred and twenty- 
six by baptism, forty-nine by letter, and nineteen by ex- 
perience. 

From its first organization the church has numbered 
with its members some of our most prominent and useful 
citizens, beginning with Dr. Hiram Alden, who at the time 
of his death was one of the prominent men in the State ; 
Samuel Ethcridge, father of Theo. C. Etlieridge ; William 
Winans, who was elected deacon Jan. 10, 1846, and filled 
the office until his death ; John T. Haynes, whose name 
appears more frequently on the records of deeds in this 
county than any other name, and whose benevolence was 
proverbial. Calvin Pratt was elected deacon April 7, 1843, 
and Mathias Van Every Aug. 4, 1849, and they have 
faithfully filled their offices ever since. 

The pre.sent officers of the church are William T. Lowry, 
Pastor ; D. B. Purinton, Clerk ; Henry T. Smith, Treasurer; 
Nathan Harlow, Sabbath-school Superintendent ; Calvin 
Pratt, Luther F. Hale, Mathias Van Every, J. II. D. 
Warren, Joel N. Brink, and R. M. Reed, Deacons; Geo. 
Starr, B. L. Webb, George W. Fisk, J. Clark Pierce, A. 
S. Glessner, and P. P. Nichols, Trustees. 

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The Sessional Records of the First Presbyterian Church 
of Coldwater contain the following entry : 

" CoLinv.VTER, Sept. .30, 1S37. 

" Agreeable to [uiblic notice, a meeting was held on the above- 
named (lay in the sehool-hoiise in the village of Colihvater, Branch 
County, State of Michigan, for the puqiose of organizing a Presby- 
terian church, at which time the Kev. P. W. Warenor ]Hc.<iile(l and 
preached a sermon, after which tlic following individuals iirescntcd 
letters of their regular standing in other Presbyterian churches, and 
were regularly organized into a church of Christ, viz. : Luther Stiles 
and Clarissa his wife, .James Smith and Abigail his wife, Edmond 
Sloan and Calheron (inc ?) his wife, E. G. Fuller, .\mbrosc (J row and 
Eliza his wife, Mrs. Reynolds, wife of Alexander Reynolds, Mary 
Ann Reynolds, Sophronia Reynolds, Mrs. Amaty Cruson, Mary 
Smith, James Smith, Jr., Lydia Smith. 

"The church then proceeded to tho choice of Luther Stiles and 
James Smith as ruling elders, and Edmond Sloan wa.s elected as a 
deacon. On motion [it was] resolved to have the Sacrament of tho 
Lord's Supper administered to-morrow afternoon. Closed with prayer 
by the moderator. 

" P. W. WARESOn, Modtralor, 

" Lt THEit Stii.ks, Clerk.'' 



122 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



In a sermoQ by Rev. S. 0. Hickok, pastor of the churcli, 
1844-47, it is stated that before the above organization 
"the Methodist and Baptist Churches were organized, and 
among the people were found some of our denomination." 
During the winter of 1837-38, the Presbyterian Church 
was blessed with a good number of additions, from amons; 
whom were several who afterwards became strong pillars in 
the church. Among this number were Silas A. Holbrook, 
AVilliam H. Cross, and Alexander Reynolds, who are recog- 
nized among the early pioneers of this county. Mr. War- 
enor, who organized the church, seems to have been a sort 
of itinerant, for by the record bearing date Jan. 8, 1838, 
we find that Charles AV.Girney was moderator of a meeting 
of the session, and rejwrt says that he stopped here over 
Sunday, in October, 1837, while on his way to Sturgis, and 
quartering at the old Eagle House, he made inquiries if 
tliere was a Presbyterian Church in the place. Receiving 
an aflirmative answer, lie made arrangements to preach on 
the Sabbath. Word was sent out that preaching might be 
expected in the old red school-house, which was located on 
Hudson Street. The people were pleased with Mr. Girney, 
and an arrangement was perfected by which he was to preach 
a year, dividing his time between the infant church in Cold- 
water and the Congregational Cliurch at Union City. For his 
services each church was to pay him one hundred and fifty 
dollars, — making a yearly salary of three hundred dollars. 
Mr. Girney was in early life a blacksmith in Steuben Co., 
N. Y. He was not an educated man, but was possessed of 
good natural abilities, and any amount of tact. He spoke 
extemporaneously, and was practical in his application of 
gospel truth to his hearere. He was also a man who 
seemed to feel, in an excessive degree, his own unworthi- 
ness. It is said of him that at one time shortly before his 
death he, in company with another (" Father" James Fisk, 
who told the writer the story), visited a woman who was 
just at the point of death. In an adjoining room her hus- 
band lay in a stupor, beastly drunk. They went in and 
tried to arouse him, telling him that his wife was dying. 
The poor man just barely raised himself, and could com- 
niaud his senses only long enough to say, " Yes, thev tell 
me so," and then fell back again to his former drunken 
insensibility. Said Mr. Girney: "There is but little dif- 
ference between that man and me. Nothing but the srace 
of Christ has made me what I am." In 1838, Mr. Girney 
went away, and for two years the little church seems to 
have been without a stated preacher; and in the interim 
the names of Rev. J. P. Cleaveland, Rev. AVilliam Stephen, 
and Rev. William Littlefield are recorded in the sessional 
records as having acted as moderator, and it is reasonable 
to infer that they preached while in the village. In 1838, 
we find that Silas A. Holbrook was chosen a ruling elder, 
and William H. Cross a deacon, in the church. In 1841, 
a committee was sent to visit Rev. Charles W. Girney, and 
see if he could not be induced to return as stated preacher. 
It is reported that he gave the church a sound scolding for 
placing so much confidence in him ; and in July of that 
same year Mr. Girney died, and the church felt most 
deeply its sore bereavement. Rev. S. C. Hickok, in his 
sermon dedicating the fii-st church, says of his loss to the 
church : '■' His prospcfts for usefulness were Jiigh ; the ex- 



pectations of the church were high ; and at the moment 
when they seemed in possession of a rich treasure, — a 
treasure they loved most ardently and sincerely, — God 
interposed and took him hence." His grave, marked by a 
plain marble slab, may be found in the old burying-ground 
on what is now known as Morse Street. In 1842, Rev. 
Louis Mills, who had been a.ssociated with Mr. Girney, 
while in New York, in the blacksmith trade, and who came 
West with him to Oberlin (Ohio), where they both studied 
for the ministry, was called to act as stated preacher to suc- 
ceed Mr. Girney. He occupied the pulpit until some time 
in the summer of 1844. 

During these early years, from 1837-44, the church 
held its meetings sometimes in the red school-house on 
Hudson Street, sometimes in the school-house on Clay 
Street back of the brick store, so generally known as the 
" Crippen store," and sometimes in the court-room, which 
was in the upper story of a wooden building on Chicago 
Street, which occupied the ground where the late Dr. J. H. 
Buch's residence now stands. This building was familiarly 
known as the "Coon Pen," which took this name from the 
fact that the first floor was occupied as a store, and a great 
many coon-skins were taken there in trade. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 9, 1843, at five o'clock p.m., a 
meeting was held at the " regular place of meeting" (the 
old " Coon Pen"), to organize a church and society under 
the statute. Under the resolution the society was to be 
known as the " First Presbyterian Society of Coldwater," 
and, as the law required, six trustees were elected, and the 
period of their ofiice fixed by lot, as follows : for one year, 
Milton H. Fuller and Edson Bundiet ; for two years, Cor- 
nelius Van Aken and Orsamus B. Clark ; for three years, 
Henry C. Gilbert and Silas A. Holbrook. 

During the same year the idea of building a church was 
conceived. It was a difficult ta^k to undertake, and much 
more diflScult to accomplish. But, somehow or other, the 
sturdy pioneer alwajs looks difficulties in the face and goes 
forward. All of these early settlers had little property and a 
great deal less ready money. Produce and timber they had 
in abundance. The former was worth but little, and the latter 
was actually valueless ; but mone}' — they hadn't any. They 
did have brave hearts and strong hands, and with these were 
themselves able to build a church. A subscription-paper 
was started, and produce and timber and labor were pledged, 
and as much money as each thought he might be able to 
raise. One man paid his subscription in hay, another 
promised to turn a certain amount of tailoring towards its 
erection, and others promised to do a certain amount of 
work upon the building. In this way the church was 
built, — a church that, in those days, would have been a 
credit to a much larger and older and richer community. 

In the spring of 1844 some of the members of the 
church living in Kinderhook desired to organize a church 
of their own, which was done with the full consent of the 
church in ColdwateV, — the pastor. Rev. Louis Mills, ordain- 
ing Moses J. Peck as ruling elder and John Waterhouse as 
deacon. 

In the fall of 1844 Rev. Louis Mills had gone and Rev. 
S. C. Hickok had been employed as stated minister. He 
was spoken of as " a very fine scholar." The chuich had 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



123 



eighty-seven persons in its communion when lie entered 
upon his work. At this time the new church-building was 
dedicated. It was not a pleasant day. It was muddy un- 
der foot and cloudy overhead. But, reader, could you and 
I have been in some out-of-the-way corner we might have 
seen the people coming in from every road, bringing their 
children with them, that they all might rejoice together in 
the work of their hands. We might have felt, too, the 
silence and solemnity of the whole congregation as the miii- 
inister led his people to the throne of grace in thankfulness 
fi)r all the mercies of the past, which had reached their 
culmination in the joy of their hearts that day. It was an 
occasion full of that eloquence which speaks in deeper tones 
than human utterance, — and when the mini.ster came to 
these words, " And now, brethren, repenting of our sins, 
and humbly imploring pardon, that, with clean hands and 
pure hearts, we may enter into this house of God, and ren- 
dering thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God for his 
goodness, let us dedicate this house to Ilim ;" and when 
the congregation all arose, as they did arise when the min- 
ister pronounced these words, we can imagine that the pent- 
up forces of many hearts gave vent to tears of joy and 
thanksgiving, whose incense went up before God as a per- 
petual memorial. 

Ilev. S. C. Hickok served the church so acceptably that 
at the end of a year measures were taken to install him as 
pastor. This was done some time in October, 1845, and 
for his services he was to receive the sum of four hundred 
dollars per annum. In the month of August, 1845, Mr. 
Hickok desired the church to unite with him in a request 
to the Presbytery that the relations existing between them 
might be dissolved. Tiiis request was granted. The close 
of his pastorate completed the first decade of the existence 
of the First Presbyterian Church of Coldwater. During 
this ten years the membership bad increased from sixteen 
to one hundred and five. 

From this time forward the church continued to prosper. 
In the spring of 18 iS a call was extended to Ilev. Elihu 
P. Marvin, who remained here until the summer of 1851, 
when he removed to Milford, Mass., and subsequently became 
the editor of the Boston Congregationallst and Recorder. 
His salary was four hundred and fifty dollars. Rev. O.W. 
Mather was called, in the summer of 1851, to occupy the 
pulpit for one year, at a salary of five hundred dollars. 

In May, 1853, Ilev. R. S. Goodman was .settled as pa.stor 
over the church, at a salary of five hundred dollars for the 
first year and six hundred dollars per annum thereafter. 
His pastorate continued until the fall of 18G0, when the 
relations were dissolved. He is now pastor of the Presby- 
terian Church at Kendallville, Ind. During the winter of 
1859 several members were dismissed to form a Congrega- 
tional Church. At the end of the second decade, in ] 857, 
the membership of the church had reached one hundred 
and eighty persons. 

In November, 1860, Rev. Horace C. Hovey accepted a 
call and labored with this church two years. He is now 
preaching in Fair Haven, Conn., a suburb of New Haven. 
Early in 1863, Rev. G. L. Foster became the stated minis- 
ter, and remained nearly three years. He died some two 
ycai-s since at Holly, in this State. In December, 1865, a 



call was extended to Rev. W. C. Porter, who had acted as 
chaplain in the Union army from 1861 to August, 1865. 
He remained until December, 1871, when he removed to 
Fort Scott, Kan., where he has since labored. His salary, 
when called, was nine hundred dollars, which was subse- 
quently increased to twelve hundred dollars. At the end 
of the third decade, in 1867, there were two hundred and 
twenty-eight members in communion and fellowship with 
this church. 

On the 1st of April, 1872, Rev. J. Gordon Jones entered 
upon his laboi-s as minister at a salary of fifteen hundred 
dollai-s, and continued to perform the duties of that office 
until Oct. 1, 1878. He is now visiting the home of his 
youth, in Wales, Great Britain. In October, 1878, a call 
was extended to Rev. H. P. Collin, of Oxford, N. Y., to 
become pastor of the church, at an annual salary of four- 
teen hundred dollars. He is now acting most acceptably 
in that capacity. The present membership of the church 
numbers two hundred and ninety-three, and the records 
show that eight hundred and seventeen persons have united 
since the organization of the church in 1837. 

In 1864 the .society canvassed the question of building 
a new church edifice. As a committee to determine upon 
plans and to enter into a contract for labor and materials 
the following were appointed : R. F. Mockridge, John 0. 
Pelton, Shelby A. Harrington, Ives G. Miles, and David 
B. Dennis. The work was begun, prosecuted, and com- 
pleted under their general direction at a cost of §32,000, 
and the present elegant and substantial edifice is the result, 
which was dedicated Oct. 12, 1869, Rev. Charles N. Mat- 
toon, D.D., of Monroe, preaching the dedicatory sermon. 

The following are the names of the different persons who 
have served as officers since the organization of the church, 
with the time of their election, but without noting the 
length or terms of service : 

DE.vcoxs, 1S37-79. 

Edmoml Sloan, elected Sept. 30, 1837. 
William H. Crws, clecteil Feb. 2, 1S39. 
Alexander Reynolds, elected April 3, I84I. 
David R. Cooley, elected Jan. 13, 18-14. 
-Alvin Upson, elected Jan. 18, 1852. 
James Smails, elected Jan. 27, 1856. 
Daniel Gilbert, elected Jan. 6, 1861, 
Ransom E. Hall, elected Jan. \ 1867. 

ELDERS, 1837-79. 

Luther Stiles, James Smith, elected Sept. 30, 1837. 

Sila-s A. llolbrook, elected Feb. 2, 1839. 
»Scth C. Hanchctt, elected April 3, 1841. 

Daniel iJilbert, elected Jan. 4, 1845. 

David R. Cooley, Ira Loc, elected Jan. 31, 1846. 

Hiram Shoudlor, Nelson D. Skecls, elected .March 27, 1849. 
i»Alvin Upson, Wm. H. Reach, John U. Phelps, elected Feb. 16, 1851. 

Elihu Jlather, Wm. McMcchan, elected Jan. 4, 1852. 

John K. Rogers, elected April 16, 1854. 

Emerson Marsh, elected Jan. 28, 1855. 

John Chandler, elected Jan. 27, 1856. 

Wm. T. Knowlton, elected Jan. 15, 1857. 

David 11. Davis, Joseph D. W. Fisk, elected Jan 6, 1861. 
-H. B. .Moore, H. N. Lawrence, elected Deo. 21, 1865. 

John T. Gilbert, elected Jan. 7, 186'J. 

Thomas H. Vance, elected Jan. 5, 1871. 

David Remis.s, Abrani J. Aldricb, elected Dec. 31, 1874. 

George H. Barber, elected Nov. 8, 1S77. 

Isaac N. Shaw, elected Jan. 2, 1879. 



124 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



TRUSTEES, 1843-1879. 

EdsoD Benedict, Silas A. Holbrook, Orsamus B. Clarli, Cornelius Van 
Aken, Milton H. Fuller, Henry C. Gilbert, elected Aug. 9, 1843. 
Albert L. Porter, elected July 30, 1844. 

Seth C. Hanchett, De Witt C. Ransom, elected Aug. 2, 1845. 
Ezbon G. Fuller, elected Aug. 10, 1S40. 
Nelson D. Skeels, Horace Lewis, elected Aug. 2, 1847. 
Loreu R. Austin, elected Aug. 1, 1849. 
Robert F. Muckridge, elected July 22, 1850. 

Samuel M. Dcunison, James W. Gilbert, John Chandler, elected June 
16, 1851. 
*-Alvin Upson, John Allen, elected Nov. 3, 1S51. 
Justus Goodwin, elected July 6, 1852. 
Edwin R. Clarke, Curtis S. Tucker, elected Sept. 7, 1852. 
Philander Reynolds, Wm. McMcchan, elected July 25, 1853. 
James Smails, elected Aug. 29, 1853. 
Ives G. Miles, elected July 24, 1854. 

An interim exists between Aug. fi, ly.'iS, and Dec. IG. ISfil, wherein the recorda ap- 
pear to be lost. 

Joseph D. W. Fisk, Ransom E. Hall, David H. Davis, Richard H. 

Drake, elected Dec. 1, 1861. 
Julius H. Barber, elected Oct. 26, 1863. 
John 0. Pelton, elected Oct., 1804. 

Lorenzo D. Halsted, Henry B. Moore, elected Dec. 3, 1866. 
Thomas H. Vance, elected Nov. II, 1867. 
Thomas W. Dickinson, elected Nov. 14, 1870. 
Albert A. Dorrance, elected Oct. 23, 1871. 
De Witt Cook, elected Dec. 8, 1873. 
Abram J. Aldrich, elected Dec. 6, 1875. 
James Carleton, elected Dec. 18, 1876. 
David F. Cole, Wm. A. Knowlton, elected Jan. 4, 1878. 

ST. mark's PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.* 

" Orffanizatinn. — Fasted upon the fly-leaf of the old 
parish register is a much-faded document, a copy of which 
is transcribed into the parish history. Upon oxamination, 
this document gives the information tliat a meeting was 
held February 9, 1848, 'at the White School-house in the 
village of Coldwater in the county of Branch (that being 
the place where the society statedly attend for Divine wor- 
ship)' by certain qualified voters for the purpose of organ- 
izing a parish under the name of ' St. Mark's Church.' 
The organization was effected in accordance with the statute 
and the following ofiicers chosen : 

" Wardens. — Joseph H. Moss, S. W. ; Richard Green- 
wood, J. W. 

" VestrymcR. — Luman Howe, Ezbon G. Fuller, Lorenzo 
D. Crippen, James Fierson, George A. Coe. 

" It further appears from the records that the instru- 
ment was executed on the first day of March, 1848, but it 
was not received for record until the sixteenth day of June 
following, — just tiiirty years ago to-day. The first senior 
warden of the parish, who is now the only living member 
of the original corporation still worshiping with us, in- 
formed me that he is of the opinion that an organization 
was effected a year or two earlier than this, but that the 
records were lost and so never placed on file. 

^'Rectorships. — In parochial history, the successive pas- 
torates furnish convenient periods for recording events of 
interest. This parish is indebted to the Rev. Joseph Wood 
for valuable information not only of the period of his own 
pastorate, but also of all the accessible facts relative to the 

* This sketch is taken from a discourse delivered by the rector on 
the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the parish organization, 
Trinity Sunday, Juno 16, 1877. 



preceding years. In his handwriting we find some thirteen 
pages of valuable records, covering the period from Febru- 
ary, 1848, to December, 1865. 

" The date of the first service held at Coldwater where 
our liturgy was used is not known to me, neither do we 
certainly know what clergyman was the pioneer in this 
matter. It lies, perhaps, between the Rev. Darius Farker, 
of Paw Paw, and the Rev. Levi H. Corson, of Jonesville, 
both of whom did hold services here at an early day. Pos- 
sibly this was true of others also. But such services were 
quite irregular previous to the parish organization ; and 
for want of such regular services, it was quite customary 
for the first junior warden to walk to Jonesville on Saturday. 

"The first rector of St. Mark's was the Rev. George 
Willard, first sent here as a missionary in 1848, by the 
bishop of the diocese. Mr. Willard remained here about 
six years. A part of that time he held service in the pub- 
lic-school houses and a part of the time in the county court- 
house. Mr. Willard remained until the early part of the 
year 1855. During his stay there were reported forty-seven 
baptisms, twenty-two confirmations, thirty marriages, and 
twenty-six burials. 

" The second rector was the Rev. G. M. Skinner, who 
came after an interval of a few months. Reorganization 
of the parish under the revised statutes was effected Aug. 
10, 1855, the Rev. Mr. Skinner presiding at the meeting. 
The officers chosen at that time were : 

" Wardens. — Joseph H. Moss, S. W. ; J. B. Southworth, 
J. W. 

" Vestrymen. — -Davis Smith, Richard Greenwood, George 
A. Coe, Mareellus H. Farker, John G. Parkhurst. 

" Mr. Skinner was rector until 1859. During his stay 
services were held in the court-house. A lot was purchased 
on Hanchett Street and a foundation laid, but from a de- 
fective title the enterprise was abandoned. 

" The statistics of the four years are : baptisms twenty- 
eight, confirmed eleven, married eight, burials sixteen. 

" After Mr. Skinner's resignation, lay services were kept 
up by the then senior warden, who holds also that position 
at the present time. The Rev. Messrs. Barker, Corson, 
and Etheridge also ofiiciated occasionally. Much interest 
was developed during the Lenten season of 1860, and a 
large class was prepared for confirmation. 

" The third rector was the Rev. Henry Saffbrd, who was 
called to the parish in March, 1860. The confirmation class 
which grew up during the vacancy was presented by Mr. Saf- 
ford and confirmed in April of that year. Prosperity is the 
record of that period, and the successful effort to build a 
church, which followed soon after, proves conclusively that 
when the heart is interested the hand will work. It seems 
an impartial judgment that the religious interest which 
manifested itself in that Lent of 1860 was the impulse 
which, kept in motion, gave the parish a church in 1862. 
This building was also on Hanchett Street. Originally it 
was of wood, twenty-four by sixty feet, with a recess-chan- 
cel fourteen by sixteen feet. The cost of the building and 
lot was about three thousand dollars. The church was con- 
secrated by the bishop of the diocese April 14, 1863. 

" In the month of May following, Mr. Safford resigned 
the rectorship, which he had held for three years. During 




SI Mai^ks Episcopal Chuhch . coldw/stfr Mir> 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



125 



thut period there were recorded twenty-eight baptisms, 
forty-four coiifiniiations, twelve niarriagos, twenty-nine 
burials. 

''The Fourth Rector.— On the fifteenth of June, 1863, 
the Rev. Joseph Wood became rector of the parish. At 
this point a fact appear.s upon the records which it were 
well to bear in mind in our missionary work, — especially in 
reference to diocesan missions. The parish had attained 
the aire of fifteen years, and it is recorded that St. Mark's, 
Coldwater, had received missionary aid to the amount of 
two thousand dollars and upwards. Since that time the 
parish has been sclfsujiportiiig and has contributed largely 
to mi.ssioii work. 

" We notice in the rcctorate of Mr. Wood a second 
modification of the parochial organization to conform to 
the act of Feb. 15, 1857. It was at this time, also, that 
the old cabinet-organ WiJS purcha.sed for five hundred and 
fifty dollars. 

"At the time of Mr. Wood's resignation, December, 
1865, the statistics of his ministry were as follows : bap- 
tized, forty-seven; confirmed, twenty-two; married, five; 
buried, twenty. 

" The next (fifth) rector was the Rev. J. Wainwriglit 
Ray. The number of worshipers had increased so much 
that more room was desired in the church, — the former 
plan of building on the corner having been given up on 
account of the sale of a portion thereof The wings, hold- 
ing two more rows of slips, were accordingly added, and the 
capacity of the church increased to upwards of four hun- 
dred sittings. Mr. Ray left the parish on AU-Saints'-day, 

1868, liaving been rector nearly three years. Fifty-two 
baptisms are reported, thirty-nine confirmations (another 
class ready), twenty-nine marriages, and twelve burials. 

" The sixth rector of this parish was the Rev. George P. 
Schetky, D.D., who entered upon the rectorship Feb. 7, 

1869. The Ladies' Aid Society, though not organized at 
this time, appears more frequently on the records, and ever 
since, as before, it has been an eflSeient lielper in parish 
work. Not seldom the ladies' organization is the very be- 
ginning of a parish, and such, I believe, was the case with 
the Ladies' Aid of St. Mark's. We learn that this instru- 
mentality li(|uidated the parish debt of two hundred and 
seventy-five dollars on the Fe:»st of the Ascension, 1869. 
Later a rectory was bought with the funds of this society, 
and on April 9, 1870, the rector entered the pleasant home 
thus provided on East Chicago Street. Dr. Schetky, hav- 
ing accepted a call to Trinity Church, Marshall, resigned 
bis charge Sept. 12, 1870, and renewed his resignation 
September 21, which was accepted by the vestry Septem- 
ber 29. Baptisms reported are forty-seven ; confirnjations, 
thirty-five; marriages, seven ; burials, twelve. 

" The rectorship was filled for the seventh time by the 
Rev. Henry Safi"ord, who was recalled at the beginning of 
the winter of 1870. He entered upon his duties on 
Christmas-day, and continued rector until the spring of 
1874. During this period the par.sonage was purchased 
by the rector, and the vestry, feeling the growing incon- 
venience of the old location, remedied the difficulty by the 
purchase of our present most desirable lot. The price paid 
(three thousand five hundred doUarsj was necessarily a 



large one, and a debt of some twelve hundred dollars re- 
mained until a recent date. But as years go by and cen- 
trally-located sites are taken up, the wi.sdom of securing 
this property will appear to all, if indeed it does not to-day. 
Twenty-nine baptisms are recorded in the second rectorship 
of Mr. SafFord, also seventeen confirmations, twenty-two 
marriages, and thirty-eight burials. 

" For various reasons the parish remained vacant over a 
year. 

" The eighth rector, the Rev. Herbert J. Cook, who is 
the present incumbent, was elected to the position in April, 
1875, and entered ui>on bis duties in June following (the 
si.xth day). 

" Within the last three years the parish of St. Mark's has 
undergone some important changes, and these changes, let 
us hope, are in the line of advancement. Easter-day, 1876, 
saw a large offering of some twelve hundred dollars laid on 
the altar for the erection of this chapel. The work was 
carried to completion during the summer, and the ladies 
came forward with two hundred dollars additional for the 
purchase of substantial reversible seats. This gives us a 
comfortable auditorium and a fine Sunday-school room. 
Next came the sale of the rear portion of the old church 
lot, in 1S77, and finally, in the autumn of the same year, 
of the balance of the property. But the work did not sto|> 
with our removal. The Ladies' Aid Society has purchased 
an organ which has proved a most valuable help in our 
worship. The total outlay will be six hundred and forty 
dollars, together with the old organ. The chapel, too, has 
had some much-needed, improvements. A vestry-room, 
with furniture, has been added by individual generosity. 
The vcntilatiiig-windows, both useful and beautiful, have 
been placed in position in the .same way. Nor should we 
forget the fact that the Easter offering of above five hundred 
dollars, with additions since made, have put the parish 
practically out of debt, and the pledges and subscriptions 
made for current expenses lack but a little of being ade- 
quate for all the necessities of the year. It gives great 
pleasure, also, to be able to add that our missionary offer- 
ings have also materially increa.scd. It is to bo hoped that 
this will continue to be the case, and that this parish may 
be a practical illustration of what can be accomplished by 
regular and systematic offerings. You may be interested 
to know the amounts given for objects outside the jiarish 
in the year just closed. Diocesan missions, $70 ; domestic 
mi.ssions, $:59.1G ; Christmas fund for aged and indigent 
clergymen, $18.50 ; foreign missions, $12.04 ; Indian mis- 
sion, $12.10; Freedmen missions, $9.45 ; increase of min- 
istry, $6.59 ; Bible and Common Prayer-Book Society, 
$5.50; diocesan assessment, $28. Total, $201.34. 

" Upon examination of the register the following statis- 
tics appear of the past three years : baptisms, 58 ; confir- 
mations, 49; marriages, 16; burials, 24. We report this 
year 139 communicants, of whom, I regret to say, only 
about one-fifth are males. 

" To summarize the statistics of thirty years, it appears 
that the eight rectorships have averaged a little less then 
four years each. In the parish, besides a few ministeral 
not here counted, which have been performed while the 
parish has been vacant, we find the sum total to be: bap- 



126 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



tisms, 336; confirmations, 239; marriages, 129; burials, 
187. Other items of interest, such as average attendance 
at church, Holy Communion, and Sunday-school, must be 
omitted for lack of time in this hasty sketch." 

The present vestry of St. Mark's Church are as follows : 
Mr. D. S. Harrington, Senior Warden-; Hon. N. P. Love- 
ridge, Junior Warden ; H. C. SafFord, Secretary ; Hon. C. 
D. Randall, D. C. Powers, M.D., 3Ir. Elijah Ball, Mr. 
George Fitch. 

Since the date of that discour.se, the list of parochial 
statistics has been extended in all departments. Steps 
have been taken and plans secured for a new church. The 
architect is Mr. Henry Dudley, of New York. The edi- 
fice (of which we give a sketch) is to be located by the 
side of the chapel, fronting on Chicago Street. The ma- 
terial is stone, and accommodates about four hundred. 
The style is Gothic, with massive tower. A commodious 
vestibule, approached through tower and porch, opens into 
a nave eighty by thirty-three and a half feet. Organ and 
vestry rooms are each sixteen by fifteen, and the chancel in 
twenty by twenty. The approximate cost of the building 
will be ten thousand dollars. 

The following extract from a letter recently received by 
the rector from the Rev. D. Barker, of Paw Paw, Mich., 
will throw additional light upon the early history of the 
parish : 

" Cl.iremont, N. H., July 22, 1S7S. 
" Reveresd and Dear Brother, — I see by ' our iliocesc?' that you 
are in doubt whether I or Mr. Corson was the first (church) clergy- 
man who preached in Coldwater. 

"1 performed service and preached, not in 'the white,' but in the 
little, old, red school-house, on the first Sunday in January, 184:2, and 
administered the Holy Communion to six persons, of whom three 
were Dr. William Bacon, Mrs. Bacon, and their daughter, Maria Ba- 
con; and I think Mr. Joseph H. Moss was another. Mr. Moss was 
there, and so was Mr. Coe, though not a communicant. Dr. Bacon 
moved to Jonesville that year, and so had nothing further to do with 
historic church matters in Coldw.ater. I continued to ofiiciate there 
occasionally till May, 18t3, when I went into a distant part of the 
diocese. Even then, I came all the way from Dexter in a carriage, 
and spent one Sunday in Coldwater. In 1843, measures were com- 
menced for the organization of a parish. A meeting was called and 
the legal notice given in calling a formal meeting to that effect. 

" In consequence of my distance, I gave up the care of that mis- 
sion, and the Rev. Richard S. Adams (now of Brooklyn, N. Y.), who 
was then missionary at Battle OrSek, took charge of it, and completed 
the organization, as I supposed. 

" I should suppose Mr. Moss would remember those facts. . . . 

" Yours truly, 

" D. Barker. 
" The Rev. II. J. Cook, Rector of St. Mark's Church." 

The facts correspond with the recollection of Mr. Moss, as 
referred to in the beginning of the rector's historic dis- 
course, and the statement of the Rev. Mr. Barker is doubt- 
less correct, thus completing our early records. 

ST. CHARLES BORROMEO ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

The history of this church, which is located on Har- 
rison, between Clay and Pierson Streets, is among the 
oldest in the city, the society having been organized in 
1849 by Rev. Father Smoulders, of Monroe, Jlich. The 
lot at present occupied was bought in 1856, and a small 
frame church erected upon it, which was destroyed the 
following year. Rev. Joseph Kindikens, at that time, on 



stated occasions, held service, and by a too rigid surveil- 
lance over the young men of the village, who no doubt 
were fit subjects of this watchfulness, had rendered himself 
obnoxious to them. Expecting him on Sabbath morning 
to say mass, and presuming that he would arrive as he had 
done before on Saturday evening and lodge in the church 
building, they placed kegs of powder, stolen from the drug- 
store of Mr. Rufus Kibbe, under the building, and during 
the night of the 7th of June, 1859, it was blown to frag- 
ments. Father Rychaert, with the help of the citizens, 
who subscribed $900, built the present brick structure in 
18G0. Previous to 1860 there had been no resident 
pastor, services having been conducted by pastors from 
neighboring parishes, who came at stated periods to Cold- 
water, and held their services at private houses before the 
erection of a church building. The first pastor who resided 
in the parish was Rev. Father C. Korst, who, in 1867, 
built the present brick i)arsonage. 

He also ofiiciated as pastor at Mendon, where he built a 
commodious church, and others at White Pigeon, Sturgis, 
and Bronson, all of which are in a flourishing condition. 
The Sabbath-school of St. Charles Borromeo parish num- 
bers sixty-five children and one hundred and twenty-five 
families. The pastor contemplates building a new church 
edifice at an early day. 

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH. 

An old school-house, one and a half miles south of the 
village of Coldwater was, in 1850, the scene of the first 
service held by this denomination. Their numbers were 
at this early date small, and the first church organization 
was effected with but six members, three of whom are now 
living. Not having a church building, the service was 
still conducted in a school-house within the village limits, 
until a plain but substantial building was erected, corner 
of Church and Hudson Streets, which they still occupy 
and maintain in excellent condition. Elder Soddy for a 
time officiated as leading elder, and the present pastor is 
Elder Williams, who resides in the suburbs of the city. 
There has been a Sunday-school maintained in connection 
with the church, until it was recently temporarily sus- 
pended. 

Since the above facts were furnished us we have discov- 
ered among the records in possession of the county clerk 
the following " articles of association" of the First Wesleyan 
Methodist Church of Coldwater : 



" This is to certify that we, the undersigned, citizens of Coldwater, 
in the county of Branch and State of Michigan, do hereby associate 
together for the purpose of ftjrmiug a Wesleyan Methodist church in 
this city, with a view of becoming a body corporate, to the end that this 
church may enjoy all the rights and privileges conferred by law upon 
religious bodies and societies in the State of Michigan, under the act 
entitled * An act concerning churches .and religious societies, estab- 
lishing uniform rules for the acquisition, tenor, control, and disposition 
of property conveyed or dedicated for religious purposes, and to repeal 
chapter fifty-two of the Revised Statutes, approved February 1.3, a.d. 
1855.' The object of this church is to provide suitable ways and means 
for worship, to publish the truth of the gospel as revealed in the Holy 
Scriptures and in nature, and to oppose error in every form in which 
it may appear. The form of worship and mode of discipline adopted 
by the cliurch are such as are contained in the discipline of the Wea- 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



127 



Uynn Methodist Connection of America. The corporate name of 
this church is the First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Coldwatcr. 
** Dated CoLOWATEK, November 27, A.D. 18C1, 

" S. B. Smith. " Olive Bullock. 

Suhnon Chajiman. E. Paine. 

John P. Bradley. Funny Chapman. 

Aaron Burritt. James Fisk. 

C. B. F. Bennett. Silas Burton. 
Wm. C. Woodward. C. Coffman. 

D. J. .Smith. 

"Thi.s certifies that on the 27th day of November, A.n. 18G1, most 
of the persons who.^o names are subscribed to the foregoing articles of 
association assembled together at tlie Wcsleyan Methodist Church in 
tbo city of Coldvvater (that lieing the regular place of worship for the 
Society) for the purpose of incorporating themselves as a church or 
religious society un<lcr tlie act of the TiCgislaturo of the StJitc of Midi- 
igan, entitled ' an act concerning churches and acquisition, tenor, con- 
trol, and disposition of ])roperty conveyed or dedicated for religious 
purposes, and to repeal chapter fifty-two of the Revised Statutes, ap- 
proved February 1)^, A.n. 1855,' and in pursuanceof notice duly given 
fifteen days previous to said 27th day of November, 18G1, and on two 
successive Sundays in the place where said church meet for public 
worship next preceding said 27th day of November, 1861, the persons 
belonging to said church would meet at the time and place aforesaid 
for the jiurposc of incorporating themselves as a church, under the 
provisions of the act aforesaid and for the purpose of electing trus- 
tees and transacting such other business as might be necessary. And 
we further certify that S. B. Smith was by a majority of the said per- 
sons so met, as aforesaid, chosen Chairman, and S. Chapman, Clerk, 
and J. P. Bradley and S. Chapman wore appointed Inspectors. On 
motion it was resolved that the number of trustees for tlie church be 
fi.xed at six. The meeting then proceeded to elect by ballot six trus- 
tees, which resulted in the election of the following persons, viz.: 

*' C. B. Peckhaiu, James Fisk, S. Burton, A. Munyon, A. Burritt, C. 
Coffman. The trusties then elect were divided into three classes by lot, 
which drawing resulted as follows : C. B. Pcckham and C. Coffman, for 
one year ; James Fisk and A. Burritt, for two years ; A, Munvon and S. 
Burton, for three years. The said meeting determined and declared 
that the said church should be known in law as 'the First Wesleyan 
Church of C(»ldwater.' 

'• In testimony wheieof we, the said J. P. Bradley and S. Chapm.an, 
who were chosen inspectors of the election aforesaid, have hereunto 
set our hands and seals this 27th day of November, A.D. 1S61, at 
Coldwatcr, Branch Co., Mich. 

"John p. Buadlkv. [skal] 

Salmon Chapma.v. [seal,] 

" In presence of ,\aron 

Burritt, Charles F. Ben- 

nolt, Wm. C. Wodward. 



"State of Michigan,! 
BnANcn County. / 

" On the 27th day of November, A.n. ISfil, before me, a notary pub- 
lic in and for said county, ]iersonally appeared John P. Bradley and 
Salmon Chapman, known to me to be the persons who executed llio 
above certificate and acknowledged that they executed the same for the 
uses and purposes therein mentioned, and as their free act and deed. 

"F. T. Eddv, 

" .Vi<(<i/-^ I'uhUv. 
"Filed and recorded Dec. 18, 1S6I. 

"B. C. WKun, 

" Vlvih." 

GEIiMAN LUTHERAN CHURCU. 

Tlic dcnouiiiintion above mentioned first establislied 
themselves in Coldwater in 1861, not having at that time a 
clinrch edifice, but liolding their first services in the Branch 
County Court-IIouse, Rev. II. Speckhart being tlie first 
pastor. In 1865, Rev. J. Hahn, now of Sebewaing, Mich., 
succeeded him, under whom a perniaiient oiganizatinn was 
effected. During ids pastorate he resided at Hillsdale, and 



came to Coldwater every third Sabbath to hold service. In 
1808 the society purchased the church building formerly 
belonging to the I'lesbyterian congregation, and after moving 
it to the present location, corner of Jefferson and Perkins 
Streets, thoroughly repaired it ; Mr. Flandermeyer having 
been very active in accomplishing this result. In April of 
1878, Rev. F. Hau.ser was settled as resident pastor, and 
still continues in this relation. The Sabbath-school con- 
nected with the churcii, though not large, is in a very pros- 
perous condition. Its present officers arc, Elders, Herman 
H. Flandermeyer and Ernst Leaders; Trustees, H. Carls, 
Charles Monacrow, August Carls. 

COLDWATER CITY SCHOOLS. 

The first authentic records of the history of the schools 
of the city of Coldwatcr date back to 1839, the time when 
a new district, known as District No. 11, was set apart in 
accordance with the following copy of a notice to notify the 
taxable inhabitants ; 

" To J. J. Ci UTIS, n taxable inlinhilant nf School District No. Eleven 

(11), of the toicuthip of Coldwater ; 

"Sin,— You will hereby take notice that we, Allen Tibbits, Henry 
Burl, and Henry B. Stillman. School Inspectors of the said township 
of Coldwater, have formed a School District in said township, num- 
bered it, and bounded it as follows, to wit: Said district shall com- 
prise all of sections nine ami sixteen, and that part of section number 
twenty-one lying west of Division Street, in the village of Coldwater. 

"The first meeting of said District will be held at the Central Ex- 
change in the village of Coldwater, on Saturd.ay, the 1st day of Juno 
next, at four o'clock p.m. of that day, A.n. 1839: and you will, in pur- 
suance of the laws, notify every qualified voter of said District, either 
personally, or by leaving a written notice at his place of residence, of 
the time and place of meeting, at least five days before said meeting ; 
then and there to transact such business as the law directs. 

" Given under our hands this 20th day of May, 1839. 

(Signed) " IIenuy B. Stillman/) 

" Allen Iinurrs, J- 

., ,. -n I I'pectort.'* 

" IIeNRV Bl'EL, \ ' 

At the meeting, nothing was done except to elect the fol- 
lowing officers : Silas A. Holbrook, Moderator ; Orasmus 
B. Clark, Director; and Henry Lockwood, A.sse.ssor. At 
a meeting held eight days after it was unanimously resolved 
that the District Board be authorized to purchase from 
Robert Abbott a part of village lot No. 104; and at the 
next meeting, June 21), 18:59, the board was authorized to 
raise by tax four hundred dollars, which, with seventy-five 
dollars due from the old di.strict, was to be expended in 
building a school-house and paying for the lot for the same. 
At a census of the district, taken Sept. 27, 1839, there 
were found to be sixty-eight children between the ages of 
five and .seventeen. II. S. Slioudy was employed to teach 
four months and a half at eighteen dollars per month. At 
the census taken the following year (1840), the number of 
children of school age had increased to ninety-three. At a 
meeting held in October of this year it was voted that those 
sending scholars should furnish one-quarter cord of wood 
for each scholar, and Mr. Eiheridge was employed as 
teacher, at fourteen dollars per month, boarding with his 
employers. 

The first building erected was situated upon the now va- 
cant lot in the Second Ward ; but at a meeting held Sept. 
27, 1847, it was voted to raise fifteen hundred dollars to 



128 



HISTOKy OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



build a. new school-house. This house is still standing, 
and is now u.sed as a ward school-house. To the older por- 
tion of our commuuity it will be better known as the "Old 
Brick School-house," situated on Clay Street, in the Third 
Ward. 

Besides this building there are now in the city the High 
School or central building, southwest corner Pearl and tlud- 
son Streets, and the Fourth Ward building, between Chi- 
cago and Pearl Streets. In the central building are em- 
ployed thirteen teachers, and the seating capacity is seven 
hundred and ten. In the Third and Fourth Ward build- 
ings are employed four teachers each, and the seating capa- 
city of these buildings is respectively two hundred and 
thirty and one hundred and ninety-eight, making a total of 
twenty-one teachers and a seating capacity of eleven hun- 
dred and twenty-eight. The length of the school year is 
forty weeks. The graduating class of 1878 numbered 
twenty. 

The following is the corps of instructors for the present 
year, 1878-79 : J. S. Crombie, B.A., Superintendent, 
Higher Mathematics and Chemistry ; F. A. Barbour, B.A., 
Principal, Latin and Greek ; Miss E. Pruden, Preceptress, 
French, Botany, etc. ; Mrs. L. A. W. Stevens, Assist- 
ant Preceptress, Mathematics, English, etc. ; Miss Cora 
F. Titus, Grammar Department; Miss Flora C. Titus, 
Grammar Department; Miss Ermine Howe, Second Inter- 
mediate Department ; Mrs. Mary A. Pratt, Second Inter- 
mediate Department; Miss Anna E. Howe, Second Inter- 
mediate Department, Third Ward ; Miss Mary E. Cutter, 
First Intermediate Department; Mrs. Franc P. Card, First 
Intermediate Department, Third Ward ; Mrs. Lucia F. Gil- 
bert, First Intermediate Department, Fourth Ward ; Miss 
Flora J. Burns, Second Primary Department ; Miss Flora 
Oakley, Second Primary Department ; Miss Nellie L. Orr, 
Second Primary Department, Third Ward; Miss Dell Root, 
Second Primary Department, Fourth Ward; Miss Belle 
Stevenson, First Primary Department; Miss L. M. Bur- 
dick, First Primary Department ; Miss Anna L. Cook, 
First Primary Department, Third Ward ; Miss Emma 
Kriehbaum, First Primary Department, Fourth Ward ; 
Miss Mary 0. Hyde, First Primary Department, Fourth 
Ward. 

The general statistical information for the current school 
year to April is as follows : 



1876-77. 1877-78. 



1. Population of city (aliolit) 

2. Numbor of rhildren between five and twenty... 

3. Total enrollment 

4. Number of non-resident students 



6(KX) 600(1 

1210 laofi 

10.)-i 9IJIJ 

90 . CJ 

5. Casli Talualiou of property $50,(KKI,m) $50,000.00 

6,188.00 
l,:i08.3.i 



6. Cost of superintendence and instruction 9,l44,.oO 

7. Cost of incidentals 2,225.11 

8. Cost of education per capitiiforsuperintendeDCo 

and instruotion 12.:i9 

9. Cost of education per capita for incidentals 3 01 

1 0. Average per capita cost tor wliole school 15.40 



8.:i7 

1.77 

10.14 



1876-77. 



11 is 5J 

£e 25 -^ 

11. Absolute enrollment 677 22-'i 132 

lli. Aventge number belonging 480.7 l(n.8 95 

13, Average daily ftttemiance 4:i5.4 14G.(J *S1 

14. Number men teachers l.i, 

15, Number women teachers llj 5 2" 

16. No. pupils to each teiicher, hasetl on averge num- 

ber belonging 42 32 27 



K«2 
7:^7 .rj 
674 



tl ll sl % 

IS ge -^ H 

11. Absolute enrollment 600 229 131 900 

12. Average numlier belonging 4.55.9 180 103 738.9 

13. Average daily Jittendance 420.4 1G6.5 98 684.9 

14. Nunibermen teachers \\ 2 

15. Number women te;iclier)4 11 5 'i 18 

16. No. pupils to each teacher, bused on average num- 

ber belonging 41 36 29 38 

In classilyiiig teachers in the above table, question 15, 
the four years prior to entering the high school is consid- 
ered the grammar grade. 

The high school is organized in four courses of study 
(the first three arranged with special reference to the re- 
quirements of the university, the fourth a purely English 
course). The Classical, Latin and Scientific, and Scientific 
and Engineering are each four years in duration, the Eng- 
lish course three years. The graduates of the first three 
courses are admitted to the freshman class of the University 
of Michigan without further examination. 

Admission. — Applicants for admi.ssion to any department 
above the primary must give evidence of their fitness to 
enter that department. All candidates should be present 
promptly the first day of the term, as any delay is a loss to 
themselves and a serious hindrance to the class. 

Examinations. — Examinations are held in all clas.ses in 
the High School Department during advance work, and oral 
daily reviews and examinations are also made, and on the 
completion of a study, or at the end of the term, a final 
examination of the entire subject is had. The average of 
the monthly and final examinations constitute a pupil's 
standing in scholarship. A standing of seventy-five per 
cent, in each term's work of each study pursued is re- 
quired before the pupil will be passed. 

The classes in the other departments are examined by 
the superintendent as often as practicable. 

At the close of every year there are public examinations 
of the classes to be promoted in the several departments. 

Diplomas. — Students completing any of the prescribed 
counses of study in the high school will receive a certificate 
of graduation signed by the superintendent and members 
of the board of education. There are two kinds of di- 
plomas, — the ordinary diploma, given the same as hereto- 
fore, and the regular diploma, which entitles the holder to 
enter Michigan University without further examination. 
Candidates receiving the latter will have the fact of such 
admission stated on their diplomas. 

The following are the members of the school board since 
1839: 

1839-tO.— S. A. Holbrook, Moderator; 0. B. Clark, 
Director; R. Wood, Assessor. 

1840-41.— S. A. Holbrook, Moderator; 0. B. Clark, 
Director ; G. Dolson, Assessor. 

1841-42.— S. Etheridge, Moderator; J. Wilson, Direc- 
tor ; A Parish, Assessor. 

1842-43.— L. Stiles, Moderator ; H. Warner, Director; 
A. Chandler, A.sses.sor. 

1843-44.— L. Stiles, Moderator; R. Root, Director; 
J. Pierson, Assessor. 

1844-45.— S. A. Holbrook, Moderator; A.L.Porter, 
Director; C. B. Dresser, As.se.^sor. 






Photos, by E. Kiiitlmarli. 



THOMAS DOUGHERTY. 



MRS. THOMAS DODGHERTr. 



THOMAS DOUGHERTY. 



The name of Thomas Dougherty was one of the best 
known among the early citizens of Coldwater. He has been 
for more than forty years so closely identified with the ma- 
terial interests of this city and county, that a sketch of his 
life will be as appropriate at this time as it is entitled to 
fair record. He was born at Cambridge, Washington Co., 
N. Y., Feb. 29, 1800. When he was eleven years of age 
his father, with the family, consisting of a wife and seven 
children, moved to Penfield, N. Y., where he purchased a 
farm. The subject of this sketch lived at home until he 
attained his majority, when he went to Masadon, where he 
became acquainted with Harriet Aldrich, daughter of Abram 
Aldrich, whom he married, Jan. 1, 1823. In 1825 he pur- 
chased a farm at Penfield, immediately took possession, and 
remained there some ten years, when he sold out and came 
to Michigan with his wife and four children, arriving in 
Coldwater, Sept. 10, 1835, where he purchased a farm of 
two hundred and eighty acres, which included the present 
site of the State School. He also entered some six hundred 
acres of land in the county. 

In the spring of 1836 he formed a partnership with Rev. 
Francis Smith and Dr. Sprague, which firm erected a saw- 
mill, and the following year built a flouring-mill, which was 



the first mill at Coldwater, and was a valuable acquisition to 
the embryo city. Some ten years later, as the demand for 
lumber increased and the water-power decreased, Mr. Dough- 
erty built a steam saw-mill, which was the first steam mill of 
any kind in Branch County. This mill he managed success- 
fully for thirteen years. He was at one time in the mercan- 
tile business, and one of the chief actors in Coldwater in his 
day. Contributed liberally to the erection of the first 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which himself and wife 
were first members, and helped to organize. Also contrib- 
uted liberally to the erection of the present edifice. They 
have been the parents of five children, of whom three are 
now living, — two sons and one daughter. 

After a long and industrious life, this pioneer couple look 
back to the small beginning and laying of the foundations 
of most of the early manufactories, schools, churches, etc., 
of Coldwater, and feel the satisfaction of having contributed 
their share. Mr. Dougherty came to Coldwater with con- 
siderable means, and with it assisted in most of the local 
public enterprises of his day. After a married life of more 
than a half-century, this veteran couple find themselves in 
the enjoyment of good health, an ample competency, and 
the respect of all. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



129 



18-t5-46.— J. T. Hiiynes, Moderator; A. Chandler, 
Director ; J. D. Wood, Assessor. 

1846—47. — H. Warner, Moderator; A. Parish, Director; 
A. Chandler, Assessor. 

1847-48.— T. Daugherty, Moderator; F. D. Crippcn, 
Director ; G. A. More, Assessor. 

1848-49.— G. A. Coe, Moderator; A. T. Groendycke, 
Director; J. D. Wood, Assessor. 

1849-50. — D. Waterman, Moderator; J. T. Haynes, 
Director; H. M. Wright, Assessor. 

1850-51. — G. A. Coo, Moderator; A. Chandler, Di- 
rector; J. 0. Pelton, Assessor. 

1851-52. — G. A. Coe, Moderator; A. Chandler, Di- 
rector ; R. Root, Assessor. 

1852-53.— G. A. Coe, Moderator; A. Chandler, Di- 
rector ; H. Dickson. Assessor. 

1853-54.— J. Chandler, Moderator; E. B. Pond, Di- 
rector ; J. D. Wood, Assessor. 

1854-55.— W. H. Beach, Moderator; J. G. Parkhurst, 
Director; J. 0. Pelton, As.sessor. 

In 1855 the number of the board was increased by add- 
ing four trustees. 

1855-56.— G. Willard, Moderator; J. H. Beech, Di- 
rector ; D. Thompson, Assessor ; A. Chandler, G. A. Coe, 
S. P. Noyes, A. L. Porter, Trustees. 

1856-57.— D. B. Dennis, Moderator; T. N. Wilson, 
Director ; J. 0. Pelton, Assessor ; A. Chandler, G. A Coe, 
J. Chandler, A. L. Porter, Trustees. 

1857-58.— A. Allen, Moderator; C. S. Tucker, Di- 
rector ; C. Pratt, Asses.sor ; A. Chandler, I. P. Alger, J. 
Chandler, A. L. Porter, Trustees. 

1858-59.— D. Smith, Moderator; C. P. Benton, Di- 
rector; L. D. Brewer, Assessor ; A. Chandler, C. B. Fisk, 
J. Chandler, I. P. Alger, Trustees. 

1859-60.- C. S. Tucker, Moderator ; A. Allen, Direc- 
tor ; J. A. Brookins, Assessor ; J. Chandler, D. C. More- 
house, I. P. Alger, C. B. Fisk, Trustees. 

1860-61.— S. S. Cutter, Moderator; D. B. Dennis, 
Director ; C. D. Randall, Assessor ; D. C. Powers, C. 
Upson. C. P. Benton. 

1861-62.— S. S. Cutter, Moderator; D. B. Dennis, 
Director ; C. D. Randall, Assessor ; D. C. Powers, A. Allen, 
J. 0. Pelton. 

1862-63. — A. Allen, Moderator ; S. S. Cutter, Director ; 
J. 0. Pelton, Assessor; C. D. Rundali, D. B. Dennis, C. 
S. Tucker. 

1863-64.— A. Allen, Moderator; S. S. Cutter, Direc- 
tor ; J. 0. Pelton, Assessor ; J. B. Crippen, D. B. Dennis, 
C. S. Tucker. 

1864-65.— J. B. Crippen, Moderator; S. S. Cutter, 
Director; F. T. Eddy, J. Murphy, D. B. Dennis, C. S. 
Tucker. 

1865-66.— F. T. Eddy, Moderator; J. H. McGowan, 
Director; J. B. Crippen, J. Murphy, E. Eaton, S. S. Cutter. 

1866-67.— F. T. Eddy, Moderator; J. H. McGowan, 
Director; J. Murphy, D. II. Davis, A. Allen, E. Eaton. 

1867-68.— A. Allen, Moderator; J. H. McGowan, 
Director; F. T. Eddy, D. H. Davis, J. H. Beech, A. 
Chandler. 

1863-69.— A. Allen, Moderator ; F.T.Eddy, Director; 
17 



A. Chandler, N. P. Loveridge, D. II. Davis, T. C. Ethe- 
ridge. 

1869-70.— T. C. Ethcridge, Moderator; N. P. Love- 
ridge, Director ; J. II. Beech, J. II. McGowan, D. Thomp- 
son, A. Chandler. 

1870-71. — J. II. Beech, Moderator; N. P. Loveridge, 
Director; H. C. Lewis, R. F. Mockridge, Justin Lawyer, 
D. Thompson. 

1871-72.— J. II. Beech, Moderator; N. P. Loveridge, 
Director ; H. C. Lewis, R. F. Mockridge, Justin Lawyer, 
D. Thompson. 

1872-73. — J. H. Beech, Moderator; N. P. Loveridge, 
Director ; R. F. Mockridge, T. C. Etheridge, D. Thompson, 
George Starr. 

1873-74.— J. H. Beech, Moderator; T. C. Etheridge, 
Director; R. F. Mockridge, D. Thompson, George Starr, 
H. B. Townsend. 

1874-75.— R. F. Mockridge, Moderator; T. C. Ethe- 
ridge, Director ; George Starr, D. Thompson, H. B. Town- 
send, A. A. Dorrance. 

1875-76. — D. Thompson, Moderator; A. A. Dorrance, 
Director; R. F. Mockridge, D. Cook, J. Murphy, D. C. 
Powers. 

1876-77. — R. F. Mockridge, Moderator; J. Murphy, 
Director ; A. A. Dorrance, D. C. Powers, M. Mansfield, J. 
F. Pratt. 

1877-78. — F. V. Smith, President; Justin Lawyer, 
Clerk ; D. W. Tinkham, H. D. Robinson, G. S. Foster, 0. 

B. Moore, G. W. Stevens, J. R. Champion. 

ladies' library association. 

During the year 1865 a number of ladies instituted a 
movement to secure the presence of some of the most emi- 
nent names in the lecture field in Coldwater, and to insure 
the success of their undertaking, they determined to first 
raise a fund which could be drawn upon to make up any 
deficit that might be occasioned by adverse circumstances. 
This was done with a series of entertainments, — the whole 
netting the sum of about five hundred dollars. The fol- 
lowing year a course of lectures was duly furnished, but 
the eagerness for platform eloquence had somewhat abated, 
and no regular course was given thereafter, but the money 
put at interest until the amount aggregated si.K hundred 
dollars. The establishment of a library with the money 
was a favorite idea with the ladies, and on the evening of 
Dec. 13, 1869, the members of the Lecture A.ssociation, 
and those more particularly interested in having raised the 
funds in their hands, met at the residence of F. V. Smith, 
Esq., to consult about the formation of a Ladies' Library 
Association, to which, if formed, they would turn over the 
money in their possession. Several gentlemen present also 
advocated the plan. It was decided to form such an as.so- 
ciation, and articles drawn up by a committee appointed at 
a preliminary meeting were signed by twenty-two ladies. 
The Legislature was petitioned for a charter, by-laws framed, 
and the association duly organized with the following char- 
ter members : Jlargaret L. Powers, Marietta K. Love- 
ridge, Georgiana L. Cutter, Enicline Barber, Mary A. Wade, 
Jfariet Smith, Harriet D. Morgan, Mary C. Champion, 
Mary Shipman, Alma Lewis, Alice C. Randall, Lizzie P. 



130 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Woodward, Ardessa Crippen, Helen L. Lanphere, Harriet 
L. Mockridge, Olivia Safford, Josephine P. MoGowen, 
Addie Wing, Sallie G. Nicliols, Mary A. Rose, Aim Van 
Valkenburg. 

By an article of the constitution, any lady of legal age 
paying one dollar into the treasury becomes a member of 
the association, and is entitled to a vote at the usual meet- 
ing. No gentleman is permitted to vote or is eligible to 
oflfice, but the annual payment of one dollar affords any 
gentleman the privileges of the library. The payment of 
thirty dollars constitutes the individual a life member, who, 
together with wife or husband, is entitled to the privileges 
of the library during the existence of the corporation. 

December 20, the first board of directors was elected by 
the association. They are fifteen in number, and remain 
in ofiice three years, and the arrangement is such that one- 
third of them retire from office eath year, to give place to 
new members. The institution now had a being and a 
name, and the board set about furnishing the objects which 
had called for the existence of the organization, viz., the 
establishment and maintenance of a library for affording 
and encouraging useful and entertaining reading, and the 
furnishing literary and scientific lectures, and other means 
for intellectual improvement in the city of Coldwater. 

The city was patiently canvassed to procure memberships, 
and over three hundred annual memberships were sold, 
and twenty-three life memberships. As the result of their 
persistent efforts, the ladies at the beginning of 1870 found 
themselves possessed of twelve hundred and fifty dollars. 

The selection of a suitable room was a matter of much 
solicitude, which Dr. Beech promptly set at rest, by offering 
the parlors in his own house for the use of the library, rent 
free. This offer was gladly accepted, and books to the value 
of one thousand dollars were immediately ordered, Messrs. 
Upson and Lewis kindly transacting the necessary business 
in Detroit. 

Five hundred dollars more were expended the same year 
for books. At the end of the first year the library num- 
bered twelve hundred volumes, around which nucleus the 
succeeding years have deposited their contributions. 

The ofiicers of the board for the first year were : Presi- 
dent, Mrs. Alma Lewis ; Vice-President, Mrs. Georgia Cut- 
ter; Treasurer, Mrs. N. Harrington; Recording Secretary, 
Mrs. Z. P. McGowen ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. G. 
L. Cutter. 

At the beginning of its career, the library was most for- 
tunate in receiving liberal support. Beside the material 
aid furnished by those gentlemen who purchased life mem- 
berships, the cit}' papers did all the necessary printing the 
first year gratuitously, Mr. F. V. Smith furnishing tickets, 
catalogues, etc. Dr. Beech more especially earned the last- 
ing gratitude of the association by both his early and long- 
continued generosity. 

The library occupied his parlors until the summer of 
1874, when he further evinced his good-will by presenting 
the association with a building in the rear of his dwelling, 
and a lease for five years of the ground upon which it 
stands. 

The board repaired and furnislied it at a cost of about 
three hundred and fifty dollars, and the library has since 



occupied its pleasant and accessible rooms. The money for 
repairs was all obtained by donations or entertainments. 
Thus it has come to pass that, while other like a.ssociations 
have had to pay out a large percentage of their income for 
rent, and depend upon volunteered services in the office of 
librarian, the Coldwater Library has always had a home 
without charge, and the board have been enabled after the 
first year to pay a regular salary to a librarian, who not 
only attends to the circulation, sale of tickets, collection of 
fines, etc., but has such a personal supervision of the books 
as tends in no small degree to their preservation. The 
"stitch in time," etc., needs fre(iuent illustration in a cir- 
culating library. The board have also been enabled to keep 
the price of tickets at the nominal sum of one dollar, and so 
bring the advantages of the library within the reach of all. 
Present officers : Mrs. G. H. Turner, President ; Mrs. R. 
Coe, Treasurer ; Mrs. G. Van Valkenberg, Recording Sec- 
retary ; Miss Kittie Cutter, Corresponding Secretary. 

THE LEWIS ART GALLERY. 

Coldwater derives much importance in the southern por- 
tion of the State from its extensive collection of works of 
art, known generally as the Lewis Art Gallery. The build- 
ing is very centrally located on Chicago Street, and adjoin- 
ing the residence of its founder, Blr. H. C. Lewis. 

It is unnece.ssary to indulge in fulsome praise of the 
munificence which inspired the establishment of this gallery, 
or to discuss the public spirit and generosity displayed by 
its projector. It is sufficient to say that it has given great 
pleasure not only to the citizens, but to those who are 
enabled by close proximity to the city to visit it frequently, 
and its influence upon the taste of the community is even 
more apparent here than in larger cities, where a love of art 
is fostered and encouraged by the presence of good pictures. 
The collection is thrown open to the public on Saturday of 
each week, and during the winter the apartments are com- 
fortably heated, and no restrictions are placed upon visitors 
other than are demanded by the observance of the rules 
which govern good breeding. 

The gallery is divided into two compartments, the first 
being principally hung with foreign pictures, and copies of 
the famous pictures of artists of repute abroad. The farther 
compartment embraces a collection of portraits of much 
merit, — many of them originals, others excellent copies, — 
the subjects being celebrated English, French, and Ameri- 
can characters. These portraits, together with a large pro- 
portion of the pictures, are from the Thompson collection, 
very well known to Bostonians, and which were originally 
intended to form the nucleus of a gallery to be ultimately 
donated to the city of Boston. Some slight circumstance 
diverted the collector from his original purpose and con- 
signed them to the auction-room, from whence many of 
them came to Coldwater. The remainder of the collection 
adorned the palatial halls of the late Le Grand Lockwood's 
residence at Norwalk, Conn. 

We regret that it is not possible to obtain from Mr. 
Lewis, who is abroad, a history of the pictures and many 
incidents relating to their purchase, which would be of 
much interest to the reader. A brief review of some of 
the most interesting works is all that we are able to offer 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



131 



MiiJoi- the circumstances. Aiiionjj: tlie copies of the old 
masters in the first };aliery, and perhaps the clief d'oeiivre 
of the collection, is a superb copy of Murillo's " Concep- 
tion," displayinj:; not only the individuality of this j^reat 
master, but liis remarkable ijrace of outline and harmony of 
color. There is also a fine copy of Raphael's " Transfigu- 
ration," and three copies of Correjrjiio, — an "Adoration," 
" Christ anil .^Ial■y .AI;i;.iilalen<','' ;ind " Christ and the Woman 
of Samaria at the Well," — all indicating the aliso nte mastery 
of this artist in the wonderful effects produced by the skill- 
ful handliii<j; of lij,'ht and shadow. There is an excellent 
copy of the ''Aurora" of (iuido, and another of Claude Lor- 
raine's " Harbor of Civita Veecbia." In this gallery is also 
a charming little interior of modest proportions, " The First 
Attempt to teach a Child how to Walk," full of the cheerful 
life and warm color of the Dutch school. 

Among the pictures which we arc informed belonged to 
the Lockwood collection are Eastman Johnson's " Boyhood 
of Lincoln," a work which considerably enhanced the 
already wide reputation of the artist, and which may be 
regarded, perhaps, as second to none in the gallery in 
point of merit. " A Roman Beauty ' is one of the most 
superb bits of coloring, and near it hang Kaufman's pic- 
ture of " Admiral Farragut in the Shrouds of his Vessel 
at the Battle of Mobile," a work of considerable repute. 
and a " Chimney Sweep Making his Toilet," remarkable 
for its spirit and conscientious drawing. 

Among the portraits are an excellent copy of Gilbert 
Stuart's " Washington," the original of which adds to the 
fame of the Lennox Gallery, New York ; a strong drawing 
of Benjamin Franklin, and another of President Wayland, 
and many admirable portraits of female celebrities. Indeed, 
the whole collection of portraits is so excellent as to add 
greatly to the interest of the gallery. 

Among the larger pictures are an " Emigrant Train 
Attacked by Indians," by Charles Winsor, a work of con- 
siderable reputation, remarkable for its vigorous handling 
and its truth to nature. It is regarded as one of the most 
valuable in the collection. Near it hangs " Mary Queen of 
Scots Accusing John Knox of Treason," a work of much 
historical interest, and •' The Angel Appearing to Hagar 
in the Wilderness," said to have been pronounced almost 
faultless as an anatomical study. 

"The Sleeping Beauty," by Wight, — the -subject taken 
from one of Tennyson's poems, — attracts attention not only 
from its size, but from its fine coloring and its happy eflfeet 
of drapery. One of the most conspicuous gems of the whole 
collection is a picture of the Du.sseldorf school, " Luther 
taken Prisoner to the Castle of Wartburg." The mcdiie- 
val tone of the picture, the fine drawing, and its suggestive 
character all combine to make it one of the choicest works 
upon the walls of the Lewis (Jallery. There are also many 
choice bits of statuary both in bronze and marble, but our 
limited .space does not admit of so extended a notice of 
this very pleasant and instructive place of resort as its 
merits deserve. 

MASONIC LODGES. 
Freemasonry first had a permanent foothold in Cold- 
water in 1847, there having been many Masons in the 
village prior to that time, but no organized lodge. From 



that period to the present the institution h;is grown and 
prospered until it has become an established power in the 
city. No special events have marked its progress, how- 
ever, other than participation in occasional public cere- 
monies to which the various lodges were invited.. 

Ti/re Lodge, No. 18. — This lodge, which ranks as the 
oldest in the city, holds a charter bearing date April 1, 
1847, its first officers having been John T. Haynes, W. M.; 
Henry Buell, S. W. ; Amos Bacon, J. W. ; Samuel P. 
Noyes, Treas. ; Audrain Abbott, Sec. Its early members 
were Ichabod Davis, James Shoecraft, Myral Comstock, 
Elisha Warner, Bradley Crippen, William Keyes, Samuel 
Etheridge. Its officers have been from that date, succes- 
sively : 

1848.— George W. Davis, W. M. ; E. G. Parsons, S. W. ; 

D. Haynes, J. W. ; Dorset J. Goff, Treas. ; Henry C. Gil- 
bert, Sec. ; J. S. Davidson, S. D. ; L. D. Halsted, J. D. ; 
S. C. Hanchett, Tyler. 

1849.— George W. Davidson, W. M. ; Harvey Warner, 
S. W. ; Elisha Warren, J. W. ; D. J. Goff, Treas. ; Henry 
C. Gilbert, Sec. ; Lucius E. Mills, S. D. ; L. D. Halsted, 
J. D. ; E. Lawrence, Tyler. 

1850.— John T. Haynes, W. M. ; Albert L. Porter, S. 
W. ; L. E. Mills, J. W. ; Daniel Mills, Treas. ; N. T. 
Waterman, Sec. ; John H. Stevens, S. D. ; L. D. Halsted, 
J. D. ; D. Haynes, Tyler. 

1851.— Lucius E. Mills, W. M. ; Elijah C. Sternes, S. 
W.; A. T. Macary, J. W.; D. J. Goff, Treas.; N. T. 
Waterman, Sec. ; 51. Mansfield, S. D. ; L. D. Halsted, J. 
D. ; B. H. Cutler, Tyler. 

1852.— A. T. Macary, W. M. ; Mortimer Slansfield, S. 
W. ; Louis T. N. Wilson, J. W. ; Harvey Warner, Tresis. ; 
Corydon P. Benton, Sec. ; S. P. Noyes, S. D. ; D. J. Goff, 
J. D. ; B. H. Cutler, Tyler. 

1853.— Wales Adams, W. M.; Albert L. Porter, S. W. ; 
C. P. Benton, J. W. ; Daniel Mills, Treas.; Seaman L. 
Dart, Sec. ; D. Littlefield, S. D. ; E. C. Sternes, J. D. ; B. 
H. Cutler, Tyler. 

1854.— Mortimer Man.sfiel.1, W 51. ; C. P. Benton, S. 
W.; A. F. Bidwell, J. W. ; Elihu Mather, Treas. ; Franc. 
B. Way, Sec. ; S. L. Dart, S. D. ; G. H. White, J. D. ; 

E. C. Sternes, Tyler. 

1855.— Corydon P. Benton, W. iM. ; S. L Dart, S. W.; 
Origen Bingham, J. W. ; Elihu Mather, Treas. ; J. C. 
Montgomery, Sec. ; II. II. Drake, S. D. ; A. Pierce, J. D. ; 
J. G. Buffham, Tyler. 

1856.— Corydon P. Benton, W. M. ; S. L. Dart, S. W. ; 
Wm. J. Jones, J. W. ; A. McCrea, Treas. ; J. F. Pratt, 
Sec; J. B. Stevenson, S. D. ; B. M. Bordine, J. D. ; B. 
H. Cutler, Tyler. 

1857.- Seaman L. Dart, W. D. ; W. J. Jones, S. W. ; 
R. H. Drake, J. W. ; A. McCrea, Treas.; David Bovee, 
Sec. ; J. B. Stevenson, S. D. ; II. W. White, J. D. ; B. M. 
Bordine, Tyler. 

1858.— Seaman L. Dart, W. M. ; John II. Beech, S. 
W. ; Almon L. Lytic, J. W. ; A. Allen, Treas. ; D. Bovee, 
Sec. ; E. W. Markham, S. D. ; John G. Buffham, J. D. ; 
Ariel Pierce, Tyler. 

1859.— Seaman L. Dart, W. M. ; A. L. Lytle, S. W. ; 
David Bovee, J. W. ; C. P. Benton, Treas. ; P. P. Nichols, 



132 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Sec. ; Frank Plogart, S. D. ; M. Mansfield, J. D. ; J. G. 
Buffham, Tyler. 

I860.— Seaman L. Dart, W. M. ; A. L. Lytle, S. W. ; D. 
Bovee, J. W. ; A. Allen, Trcas. ; John Murpliey, Sec. ; F. 
Plogart, S. D. ; Wm. H. Abbot, J. D. ; R. H. Drake, Tyler. 

1861.— Seaman L. Dart, W. M. ; A. L. Lytle, S. W. ; 
D. Bovee, J. W. ; A. Allen, Treas. ; John Murphey, Sec. ; 

F. Plogart, S. D. ; 0. C. Graham, J. D. ; R. H. Drake, 
Tyler ; Rev. H. Safford, Chaplain. 

1862.— Seaman L. D.art, W. M. ; A. L. Lytle, S. W. ; 
D. Bovee, J. W. ; A. Allen, Treas. ; John Murphey, Sec. ; 
0. C. Graham, S. D. ; N. Roseubaum, J. D. ; R. H. Drake, 
Tyler ; Rev. H. Safford, Chaplain. 

1863.— Seaman L. Dart, W. M.; A. L. Lytle, S. "\V. ; 
D. Bovee, J. W. ; A. Allen, Treas. ; George Ferguson, Sec. ; 
0. C. Graham, S. D. ; N. Rosenbaum, J. D. ; George Man- 
sel, Tyler. 

1864.— D. Bovee, W. M. ; 0. C. Graham, S. W. ; Geo. 
Fergu.son, J. W. ; A. Allen, Treas. ; C. J. Manvel, Sec. ; 
D. Cooley, S. D. ; J. L. Hill, J. D. ; Geo. Man.?e!l, Tyler. 

1865.— D. Bovee, \V. M. ; 0. C. Graham, S. W. ; N. 
Rosenbaum, J. W. ; R. H. Drake, Treas. ; C. J. Manvel, 
Sec. ; M. G. Townsend, S. D. ; J. L. Hill, J. D. ; Geo. 
Mansell, Tyler. 

1866.— D. Bovee, W. M. ; John Murphey, S. W. ; 
Nathan Rosenbaum, J. W. ; R. H. Drake, Treas. ; Geo. M. 
Dumon, Sec. ; H. J. Woodward, S. D. ; \Ym. Anderson, 
J. D. ; H. Tulaud, Tyler. 

1867.— David Bovee, W. M. ; 0. C. Graham, S. W. ; 
N. Rosenbaum, J. W. ; A. McCrea, Treas. ; R. A. Hall, 
Sec. ; H. E. Macary, S. D. ; Z. C. Cheeuy, J. D. ; S. Dar- 
row, Tyler. 

1868.— D. Bovee, W. M. ; D. B. Purinton, S. W. ; R. 
A. Hall, J. W. ; R. H. Drake, Treas. ; Geo. M. Dumon, 
Sec. ; Z. C. Cheeny, S. D. ; J. L. Hill, J. D. ; Geo. Firth, 
Tyler. 

1869.— D. Bovee, W. M. ; Wm. C. Burns, S. W. ; R. 
A. Hall, J. W. ; R. H. Drake, Treas. ; Geo. M. Dumon, 
Sec. ; J. A. Ashbaugh, S. D. ; A. Smith, J. D. ; D. Fox, 
Tyler. 

1870.— D. Bovee, W. M. ; W. C. Burns, S. W. ; R. A. 
Hall, J. W. ; George Starr, Treas. ; G. M. Dumond, Sec. ; 
J. A. Ashbaugh, S. D. ; A. Smith, J. D. ; G. H. Taylor, 
Tyler. 

1871.— D. Bovee, W. M. ; J. A. Ashbaugh, S. W. ; 

G. H. Taylor, J. W. ; R. A. Hall, Treas. ; C. F. Stygles, 
Sec. ; H. A. Wolcott, S. D. ; Wm. Draubaugh, J. D. ; 
G. Firth, Tyler. 

1872.— D. Bovee, W. M. ; J. Ashbaugh, S. W. ; G. H. 
Taylor, J. W. ; R. A. Hall, Treas. ; D. B. Purintoa, Sec. ; 
H. A. Wolcott, S. D. ; A. J. Foster, J. D.; Geo. Firth, 
Tyler. 

1873.— The same. 

1874.— D. Bovee, W. M. ; A. J. Foster, S. W. ; G. H., 
Taylor, J. W. ; R. A. Hall, Treas. ; D. B. Purinton, Sec. ; 
D. S. Phinney, S. D. ; Geo. Firth, Tyler. 

1875.— D. Bovee, W. M. : A. J. Foster, S. W. ; Wm. 
C. Burns, J. W. ; R. A.' Hall, Treas. ; D. B. Purinton 
Sec. ; D. S. Phinney, S. D. ; Wm. Draubaugh, J. D. ; Geo. 
Firth, Tyler. 



1876.— D. Bovee, W. M. ; A. J. Foster, S. W. ; E. W. 
Holmes, J. W. ; R. A. Hall, Treas. ; D. B. Purinton, Sec. ; 

D. S. Phinney, S. D. ; J. W. Brown, J. D. ; Daniel Fox, 
Tyler. 

1877.— D. Bovee, AV. M. ; A. J. Foster, J. W.; E. W. 
Holmes, J. W. ; R. A. Hall, Treas. ; D. B. Purinton, Sec. ; 
L. A. Peckham, S. D. ; J. W. Brown, J. D. ; D. Fox, 
Tyler. 

The following statistics give an idea of the working of 
the lodge since its organization : 

Initiated. Eaised. Died. From other Total 
lodges, nieuib e. 

December, 1847 U 10 4 24 

" 1S48 34 24 5 63 

1849 3 3 1 1 64 

" 1850 2 2 1 1 49 

" 1851 9 1] 2 6 61 

" 1852 5 5 1 3 50 

" 1853 5 3 1 6 59 

" 1854 19 10 6 81 

1855 8 12 1 3 80 

1856 15 U 2 5 94 

" 1857 8 9-1 89 

1858 5 4 1 77 

" 1859 15 12 3 1 100 

" 1860 18 15 6 119 

1861 9 11 2 118 

1862 26 22 1 4 150 

" 1863 26 22 2 5 174 

" 1864 44 29 4 7 204 

" 1865 26 14 2 6 220 

" 1866 22 13 4 7 228 

1867 30 25 2 9 251 

" 1868 15 6 1 10 245 

" 1869 26 21 4 12 243 

" 1870 8 IS 2 3 251 

" 1871 8 6 3 2 251 

'•• 1872 6 3 4 1 250 

" 1873 3 4 3 6 247 

" 1874 4 5 3 3 252 

" 1875 9 5 3 3 249 

" 1876 6 5 5 5 249 

" 1877 2 2 3 237 

" 1878 1 2 3 3 222 

It will be seen by the foregoing table that the total 
membership the first year of its organization was 24, show- 
ing a decided growth from that time to the present. 

Its oflBcers are D. Bovee, W. M. ; A. J. Fost«r, S. W. ; 

E. W. Holmes, J. W. ; R. A. Hall, Treas. ; D. B. Purin- 
ton, Sec. ; Charles E. Fanning, S. D. ; G. W. Fox, J. D. ; 
Daniel Fox, Tyler. 

The following impressive dirge is used by the lodge in 
ceremonies attending the burial of its members: 

" .Solemn strikes the funer.al chime, 
Notes of our departing time : 
As we journey here below, 
Through a pilgrimage of woe ! 

** Mortals, now indulge a tear, 
For mortality is near ! 
See how wide her trophies wave 
O'er the slumbers of the grave ! 

" Here another guest we bring, 
Seraphs of celestial wing, 
To our funeral altar come, 
AVaft this Friend and Brother home. 

" Lord of all ! below — above — 
Fill our hearts with Truth and Love; 
AVhen dissolves this earthly tie, 
Take us to thy Lodge on high." 

Coldioater Lodge, No. 260. — This lodge was organized 
from Tyre Lodge, No. 18. Several members being desirous 
to establish another lodge in Coldwater, made application 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



133 



to the officers of tlie Gnuid Lodge of the State for a dis- 
pensiitioii, whicli was <:raiited Feb. 10, 18()9, witli the 
followiiig gentlciucn as its first officers : Thomas 8. Dorsey, 
W. M. ; Nathan Rosenbaum, S. W. ; George Ferguson, 
J. W. ; II. J. Woodward, Sec. ; S. S. Seovill, Treas. 

Its present officers are N. Rosenbaum, W. M. ; A. E. 
Thompson, S. W. ; K. S. Taylor, J. W. ; S. H. Egabrood, 
Sec. ; Julin P. Fiske, Treas. 

The regular communications are lield tlie first Monday 
evening of each month. The lodge lias a hall, spacious 
and well appointed, in which the meetings are held. 

Jdcoh's ConaiiaiKferi/, Xa. 1(1. — The following gentle- 
men first applied for a dispensation to organize a coramand- 
ery in Coldwatcr : Franklin T. Eddy, Wales Adams, Nor- 
man L. Southworth, Asa G. Rose, Joseph A. Rose, Charles 
H. Putnam, Richard II. Drake, Artemus Allen, Lcaman 
L. Bart, Lyman Sleeper. The application bore date March 
3, 1860, and the charter was granted June 6 of the same 
year, with its first officers as follows: Franklin T. Eddy, 
E. C. ; N. L. Southworth, Gen. ; Artemus Allen, Caj)t.- 
Gen. ; S. L. Dart, Recorder. Its present officers are R. A. 
Hall, E. C. ; S. S. Seovill, Gen. ; R. G. Chandler, Capt.- 
Gen. ; D. B. Purinton, Recorder. Its present membership 
numbers .seventy. 

Tt-inpk ClitqUer, No.2\, R. A. M. — The charter of this 
chapter bears date Jan. 13, 1859, the following gentlemen 
having applied for a dispensation: Edwin Perry, John H. 
Beach, N. L. Southworth, David Burns, E. Mather, 
Samuel Etheridge, Wales Adams, Abram McCrca, S. L. 
Dart, Levi Daggett. Its first officers were Edwin Perry, 
High- Priest; Johu H. Beach, King; N. L. Southworth, 
Scribe. 

Its present officers are A. J. Foster, High-Priest; Wm. 
C. Barnes, King; Sylvanus S. Seovill, Scribe; J. Wesley 
Brown, Treas. ; David B. Purinton, Sec. 

This chapter has been prosperous since its organization, 
and increased its list of members until it now numbers one 
liundred and twenty-seven on its rolls. The regular meet- 
ings are held the first Wednesday of each month. 

MuHiit Moriah Council, No. 6, R. and S. M. — This 
organization was formed November, 1859, under a dispen- 
sation granted by the T. I. G. P. of the State of Michigan. 
Its first officers were S. L. Dart, T. I. G. M. ; M. Mans- 
field, D. I. G. M. ; R. H. Drake, P. C. of W. ; J. B. Stev- 
enson, C. of G. ; D. Bovee, G. S. ; F. T. Eddy, Recorder; 
A. Allen, Treas. 

Its present officers are D. 15. Purinton, T. I. M. ; John 
P. Fisk, D. I. M. ; J. A. Ashbaugh, P. C. of W. ; W. C. 
Barnes, C. of G. ; M. H. Parker, Treas. ; S. B. Kitchcl, 
Recorder ; A. A. Unangst, S. and S. ; D. Fox, Sentinel. 

Its regular meetings arc held the first Thursday of every 
month. 

INDEPENDE.NT OllDER OF ODDFELLOWS. 

Coldwatcr Lodge, No. 31. — The Order had its first 
organization in the city as early as the year 1848, Cold- 
water Lodge, No. 31, having been formed in February of 
that year. No authentic record of the tran.sactious of the 
body can be obtained, but from one of the oldest members 
we learn that it was for a time prosperous, but the harmony 
which at first characterized its sessions unhappily termi- 



nated in discord, and the lodge surrendered its charter in 
185.5, and for a time was iiraitically defunct. It at this 
time owned some property, which was scattered among its 
members, and four cemetery lots which had been deeded 
to it by the corporation reverted again to the donors. 
Dec. 17, 1871, the lodge was resuscitated with the 
following officers: Gilbert Sherman, D. D. G. M. ; H. D. 
Warren, N. G. ; J. A. Brookins, V. G. ; A. Halstead, Re- 
cording Sec. ; H. N. Jloore, Treas. ; Hiram Baker, Per- 
manent Sec. 

. The lodge having been again established on a flourishing 
basis, an effort was made to redeem the lots which had 
been awarded to the original body by the corporation. 
These it was learned had been sold and were already in 
use, but a compromise was effected by which other lots of 
equal value were given the new organization. 

The present officers of the Coldwater Lodge are Alfred 
Milnes, D. D. G. M. ; L. A. Peterson, N. G.; J. S. Con- 
over, V. G. ; C. W. Johnson, Recording Sec. ; W. H. 
Allen, Permanent Sec. ; Alfred Milnes, Treas. 

The present membership is seventy-five. 

Bellusdd Lodge, No. 268. — This lodge was organized 
November 5, 1875, by George Dean as Grand Master of 
the Grand Lodge of the State. 

Its first officers were Theodore Lyman, N. G. ; James 
Anderson, V. G. ; Charles D. Wright, Recording Sec. ; 
James A. Brookins, Permanent Sec. ; Thomas Smith, 
Treas. Trustees: James Anderson, Thomas Smith, J. H. 
D. Warren. 

Its present officers are S. Egerbroad, N. G. ; David 
Bartlett, V. G. ; J. H. D. Warren, Recording Sec. ; M. 
H. Parker, Permanent Sec. ; James Anderson, Treas. 
Tru.stees: Gilbert Sherman, Charles Chapman, James 
Anderson. 

OAK GllOVE CEMETERY. 

The original plat comprised in this cemetery was owned 
by individual parties, and embraced about eighteen acres. 
The deed conveying it to the Oak Grove Cemetery Asso- 
ciation boars date July 15, 1854, and the party making 
the conveyance is George A. Coe. 

In the year 1869 it was deemed best to enlarge the 
dimensions of the inclosure, and about one hundred acres 
more were added, the deed of conveyance having been 
given by C. V. L. Kibbe to the city of Coldwater in that 
year. 

The original association included the following list among 
its first officers : Oreamus B. Clark, President; George A. 
Coe, Clerk; James Pierson, Collector; George A. Coe, 
Treasurer; John Luck, Sexton. 

The following description of the ground embraced in the 
original plat is found in the records : " All that certain 
piece or parcel of land situate, lying, and being in the town 
of Coldwater, in the county of Branch and State of Mich- 
igan, described as follows, to wit: Beginning at a point on 
the north line of the Chicago Road, on the west bank of 
Coldwatcr River, at a cedar stake ; northwardly, westwardly, 
and southerly, along the centre of the ditch at the base of 
the hill, and around the same until it intersects the north 
line of the Chicago Road, and from thence eastwardly, 
along the north line of the Chicago Road, about one hun- 



134 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 



dred rods, to the place of beginning, containing about 
eighteen acres, more or less, and being a part of the north 
half of the southwest fractional quarter of section seventeen. 

" The object of such association or corporation is declared 
to be the dedication of said piece of land for a cemetery or 
burying-ground, and the fencing, improving, ornamenting, 
and keeping the same for the purposes aforesaid." 

Oak Grove Cemetery is remarkable for its picturesque 
location and its varied natural beauties. Its walks and 
drives — which are numerous and traverse nearly the whole 
extent of the grounds — are lined with luxuriant shade* 
trees, and the beautiful sloping hills of the north end look 
out upon an expansive sheet of water, which adds greatly 
to the attractiveness of the location. The vault, situated 
in the central portion of the grounds, is bordered with a 
very tasteful arrangement of hedge, and displays much 
taste. There are also various plans for improving and 
beautifying the iuolosure, which will from time to time be 
carried out. Many fine monuments and memorial-stones 
mark the graves, and the attentive care given the private 
lots is evidence of the tender memories that departed 
friends have left behind. 

Altogether, this cemetery impresses the visitor not only 
by its exceedingly beautiful natural advantages, but by the 
admirable manner in which art has added to their at- 
tractions. 

THE BAR OP COLDWATER. 

While the bar of this county has never produced 
a Cicero, or a Demosthenes, a Webster or Clay, it is 
thought that it will compare favorably with the bar of 
any interior county in the State. In the spring of 1837, 
p]. G. Fuller, Esq., a young attorney from New York State, 
while journeying westward towards Chicago and Milwaukee, 
in search of a place to locate, was induced by the beauty 
of Coldwater and the surrounding country, to rest over the 
Sabbath. He discovered that there was no attorney here, 
and was finally induced to settle in the young and rising 
village of Coldwater. 

Some amusing incidents occurred at this first admission 
to the bar. A committee of three gentlemen, " learned in 
the law," was appointed to examine the young attorney, and 
report as to his legal attainments. 

The first question asked was as to his polities. On being 
told that he was a " Jackson Democrat," two of the com- 
mittee expressed entire satisfaction ; the other one, however, 
had a question or two more to ask. '■ Did he ever expect 
to run for the Legislature ? and if so, did he expect to be 
elected?" After this question was answered, the trio of 
" legal lore" were entirely satisfied, and the first attorney 
of Branch County was duly admitted to practice in all the 
august courts of the State. Very soon after he was com- 
missioned by the Governor of the State as prosecuting at- 
torney of the county, and held the office for several years. 

In 184-1 he was elected judge of probate for the county, 
and served four years to the entire satisfaction of his con- 
stituency. Since his retirement from the probate judgeship 
he has devoted his time mainly to the practice of his pro- 
fession and in supervising the culture of a farm which 
he owns in the south part of the city. He is a good law- i 



yer, still in excellent health, and practicing in California, 
where he is temporarily sojourning with a son. 

In 1838, or about that time, another attorney found 
Coldwater a place of sufficient attraction to " pitch his tent." 
This was Edward A. Warner, Esq., an agreeable and intelli- 
gent young man. He soon obtained a good practice, and 
was constantly working his way upward in the hearts of 
the pioneers, when death claimed him as her own. He has 
been sleeping in the " silent city," over the river, nearly 
thirty-five years. 

George A. Coe, Esq., fresh from his studies in Roches- 
ter, N. Y., found the quiet little village of Coldwater, in 
1839 or 1840. Politics ran high in those days, and Mr. 
Coe, being a good Whig, was doubly welcomed by the 
Whigs, as both of the former gentlemen were Democrats. 
Possessed of fine personal appearance and social attractions, 
he at once became a great favorite, and business flowed in 
upon him abundantly. He was soon after elected justice 
of tlie peace, member of the Legislature in 1848, State 
senator, and lieutenant-governor in 1854 and 1856, pre- 
siding in the Senate chamber with great satisfaction. 
Indeed, as a presiding officer he had few equals. After his 
retirement from legislative duties he was again elected 
justice of the peace and supervisor, both of which offices 
he held at the time of his death, in 18G9. He was a good 
lawyer and a general fiivorite in society. 

Louis T. N. Wilson, Esq., a pioneer boy, entered the office 
of Lieutenant-Governor Coe, and commenced the study of 
law, Jan. 16, 1843. Being a bright and active young man, 
full of ambition, he soon acquired a sufficient knowledge of 
the profession to procure his admission to the bar. 

In the spring of 1851 he was elected justice of the peace, 
in 1854 State senator, and in 1870 prosecuting attorney, 
all of which positions he filled with marked ability. Offi- 
cial positions, however, interfered with his legal business, 
and he now devotes him.self strictly to his profession. He 
possesses a bright, active mind and great brilliancy of speech, 
added to a thorough knowledge of the law. 

Judge David Thompson, also a pioneer boy, commenced 
the study of the law in Coldwater, at an early day. His 
studious and thoughtful habits soon gave him a good knowl- 
edge of the profession, and in due time he had a fine prac- 
tice. Pleasant and agreeable in his intercourse with those 
around him, he was held in esteem by all. Some years ago 
he was elected justice of the peace, but resigned, because 
its duties interfered with his professional pursuits. He was 
elected judge of probate in 1864, and served with satisfac- 
tion. He was afterwards appointed circuit judge, by Gov- 
ernor Croswell. 

Judge Thomas N. Cooly, for mjwy years past upon the 
Supreme bench of this State, stopped in Coldwater a 
short time at an early day ; but clients were too poor and 
scarce for men of his genius and ability. He left the field 
to others, much to the regret of those best acquainted with 
his eminent learning and ability. 

General J. G. Parkhurst, came from Central New York 
about 1850, and entered into partnership with the late 
Lieutenant-Governor Coe. He was elected prosecuting 
attorney in 1852, and served with credit to himself Early 
in the Rebellion he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel of one 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



135 



of the Mitliigaii regiments, and served till tlie end of the 
war. He was brcvcttcd brigadicr-ireneral for gallant services 
in the army. Since the war he has given but little time to 
the practice of law, having other business to take his entire 
time. 

Justus Goodwin, Esq., practiced in the county early, 
though he lived on a large farm just outside the county. 

Ihiiiin City, in an early day, was called after him, " Good- 
winvillc." In later years he moved to Coldwater, but never 
obtained a great practice, as he preferred out-door exercise 
to a sedentary life. Ills death oecuncd some years ago. 
He was considered an able lawyer and a genial gentleman. 

Cephas B. Dresser came here many years ago, a young 
man, but remained only a short time. He was called a 
well-read lawyer. We understand lie now resides in llili.s- 
dale. 

Harris, a good, sound lawyer, came early. His 

stay was short. Cause, doubtless, the want of well-to-do 
clients, — a very good reason. 

Caleb D. Randall, also a pioneer boy, came previous to 
1840, with his father's family. Dr. Alvah Randall, and 
settled in Bronson. After he was admitted to the bar he 
came to Coldwater, and entered upon a good practice. He 
was elected State senator in 1S70, and drafted the bill es- 
tablishing the " State Public School." Although a sound 
lawyer, his practice of late years has been limited. Being 
president of the Michigan Southern National Bank, his 
time is occupied with its aftairs. 

Edward J. Hard, an industrious lawyer, settled here in 
an early day. His career was short, however, for death 
soon claimed him as its own. 

E. G. Parsons, one of the early lawyers, was prosecuting 
attorney for several terms. He was a shrewd lawyer and 
a social gentleman, we believe. His present residence, as 
far as known, is in the State of Missouri. 

In 1841 or 1842, Daniel Gilbert, Esq., moved here from 
Western New York with two sons, H. C. and J. W. Gil- 
bert. The father, through age and infirmities, practiced 
but little, but was a good counselor, and may truly have 
been called 

'* A fine old English gentleman, 
All of the olden time." 

He died many years ago. 

H. C. Gilbert, the elder son, was a man of untiring 
perseverance, and an able and eloquent lawyer. He was 
Indian agent for the State under President Pierce's admin- 
istration. After the expiration of his term of office he 
purchased a large farm in the town of Coldwater, and 
planted an extensive nursery. His farming, however, was 
no more profitable than that of the distinguished Horace 
Greeley. In other words, he enriched his coffers the wrong 
way. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he was 
appointed colonel of one of the Michigan regiments, 
serving with great gallantry and giving up his life for the 
Union he loved so well. His remains were brought home 
and interred in Oak Grove Cemetery. 

James W., the younger of the two sons, was also an ex- 
cellent lawyer, but possessed of a less robust constitution 
than his brother. Hard study brought on disea.so, and in 
the prime and beauty of manhood his life was cut short. 



Justin Lawyer, Esq., was an early attorney in the county. 
Many years ago he was elected county judge, but the Legis- 
lature, we believe, dispensed with his services by repealing 
the law under which he was elected. Having been engaged 
in other business a large portion of the time since, his 
practice has been limited. He is a gentleman of fine social 
qualities and a sound attorney. 

E. S. Jennings, Esq., came here many years ago, and, 
though able and eloquent, his .stay was .short. 

Egbert K. Nichols, E.sq., was an attorney in the county 
jfears ago. He was elected county prosecuting attorney, 
but his stay was not sufficiently long to form any idea 
as to his abilities. We understand he went East from this 
State. 

Hon. Charles Upson, when a young man, came from the 
land of wooden nutmegs, and settled in the county of St. 
Joseph. He was there elected State senator, but later he 
settled in Coldwater. As his fame had preceded him, he 
at once entered upon a large and lucrative practice. In 
1862, 1864, and 1866 he was elected to Congress from the 
district of which Branch formed a part, and served with 
great acceptance to his constituencj'. He also served as 
circuit judge, but resigned on account, we believe, of inade- 
quate salary. 

Hon. J. W. Turner came to Coldwater from the eastern 
part of the State many years ago. He had served in the 
Legislature of the State with much ability, and his -services 
had been appreciated by the people of this county. He 
entered at once upon a good practice. When the Repub- 
lican party was organized at Jackson he was present, and 
entered heartily into the work. Being a fine speaker, his 
services as a " stumper" were in brisk demand. He was 
several times elected prosecuting attorney of the county, 
and it is not too much to say that no man ever filled the 
office more acceptably to the people or with greater credit 
to himself. 

Howell, Esq., an earnest and thorough attorney, 

stopped in Coldwater at an early day. Clients too poor and 
scarce, doubtless, influenced his removal. 

Joseph B. Clarke, Esq., one of the best-read lawyers in 
the county, remained a few years in Coldwater. He was 
a brother of " Grace Greenwood," and possessed many traits 
of character in common with that distinguished lady. He 
left twenty years or more ago. 

Willard J. Bowen, Esq., an early pioneer boy of this 
countj', settled in Coldwater years ago. He was considered 
a good lawyer, but his time being too much occupied in 
other pursuits, his practice was neglected in consequence. 

Moses S. Bowen, Esq., a lawyer of fair ability, great 
tact, and perseverance, practiced in the county several 
yeai-s. He left many years ago. He was regarded as a 
social, pleasant gentleman. 

Hon. F. E. Morgan was a thorough student, well versed 
in the law. He was elected State senator in 1876, and 
served with ability. He was a quiet gentleman and an 
•able counselor. 

Hon. J. H. McGowen came to Coldwater in 1859 or 
1860. After .superintending our city schools for a time, 
he enlisted in tlie army as a captain of cavalry, and was in 
the celebrated chase after the great rebel John Morgan, 



136 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUx\TY, MICHIGAN. 



through Indiana and Ohio, and very nearly lost his life in 
the " Morgan raid." After peace was restored he was 
elected prosecuting attorney, and served four years. In 
1872 he was elected State senator, served one term ; in 
1876 was elected to Congress, and re-elected in 1878. He 
is a fine speaker and courteous gentleman. 

Noah P. Loveridge, Esq., came to Culdwater from Cen- 
tral New York some fifteen years ago. He soon entered 
upon a successful practice, and by strict attention to busi- 
ness soon merited the esteem of the people. He is a 
thorough student, genial and aff:ible in manner, and enjoys 
the confidence of the community. 

David B. Dennis, Esq., came to Coldwater some twenty- 
five years ago. Although a good attorney, he has given 
but little time to professional pursuits. He has served as 
supervisor and justice of the peace, but his private afiairs 
claim his closest attention. 

Judge John B. Shipman came to Coldwater nearly twenty 
years ago, from St. Joseph County, where he studied in the 
oflSce of Hon. H. H. Riley. His pleasant and agreeable 
manners soon brought him hosts of friends as well as a 
lucrative practice. We think it safe to say that there is 
no more thorough student of the law to be found, and 
none more higlily re.spected. In the fall of 1878 he was 
elected circuit judge for the district composed of St. Joseph 
and Branch Counties, and is now clothed with a judicial 
garb. 

Timothy G. Turner, Esq., who came about twenty years 
ago, was lawyer and editor, and finally enlisted during the 
war. He is now residing in the West. 

Wallace W. Barrett, Esq., studied in Coldwater years 
ago. Was elected prosecuting attorney in the fall of 1860, 
but on the breaking out of the war he resigned his ofiice 
and went to the front as a captain of infantry. His gal- 
lant services in the army won for him a commission in the 
regular army, a position few obtained who were not given 
a military education at West Point. We think he now 
ranks as major. 

Levi Sprague, Esq., an attorney of untiring energy and 
perseverance, practiced in Coldwater years ago, but went 
from here to Chicago, and now, as we understand, makes a 
speciality of police-courts practice of that city. 

Frank D. Skeels, Esq., studied law in Coldwater, and 
soon after his admission to the bar was elected prosecuting 
attorney for the county, and was re-elected in 1874, serving 
four years with ability. He still practices in the city. 

Simon B. Kitchel was elected prosecuting attorney in 
1876, and re-elected in 1878. He possesses a considerable 
knowledge of the law and has a good degree of persever- 
ance. 

John R. Champion, Esq., came to Coldwater at an early 
day with his father's family, the late Reuben J. Champion, 
Esq. He was in the army several years, and after the 
swords were returned to their scabbards, in addition to 
other duties he studied law, and was admitted to the bar. 
He has twice been elected mayor of Coldwater City, and- 
is a man of fine social qualities. 

There are several young attorneys in Coldwater in addi- 
tion to the above. Among them we may name Henry C. 
Clark, Esq., or, as they call him, Alderman Clark ; Charles 



N. Legg, Esq., Charles D. Wright, Esq., '—^ Barlow, Esq., 
N. A. Reynolds, Esq., A. T. Lamphere, Esq., Andrew J. 
McGowan, Esq., and Harry C. Safl'ord, p]sq. These are all 
young men of fair abilities, and have a promising future 
before them. 

PHYSICIANS. 

" Doctor, forgive me, if I dare prescribe 
A rule for thee thyself, and all thy tribe, 
Inserting a few serious words by stealth : 

Ahnve all 2>rice of loealfh 
The Body't jewel, — not/or minds profane. 
Of hands, to tamper with in practice tmin — 
Like to a tcoman's Virtue is Man's Health, 
A heaventif- gift irilhin a holtj shrine! 
To be approached and touched tvith serions fear 
Bif hands made pure, and hearts of faith severe. 
E'en as the Priesthood of the ONE divine .'" 

Hood. 

The physicians who settled in Coldwater previous to 
1840 were men of very good ability, and some of them 
of quite marked character, — leaving an impress upon the 
community which has long outlived them. Their practice 
extended far over the sparsely-settled country ; and many 
are the tales of hardship and suffering they related among 
the early pioneers of this county. Many times they had 
to be physician, nurse, and adviser ; and by their .sympathy 
and cheerfulness, and by their advice in business and fiimily 
matters, they gave comfort and hope to the home-sick and 
desponding whose health and vivacity had been taken from 
them by the enervating influence of the malaria, which, 
with scarcely an exception, more or less afi"ected all. The 
physician, better than any one else, knows the trials and 
hardships of the pioneers who had to battle with disease, 
and sometimes almost famine. 

The first physician who settled in Coldwater was Dr. 
William Henry, from Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., in the 
summer of 1830. He was about seventy years of age, well 
educated, and a man of acknowledged ability. He prac- 
ticed medicine here about two years, and then removed to 
Sturgis, Mich., where he died. 

Dr. Hill, of Indiana, aged about fifty-five years, in 1830 
settled at Pocahontas, now " Mills," above Branch. He 
was a practical business man, and built the first " grist-mill" 
in the county, at the place where he lived. He left in 
1832, and went to Lagrange, Ind. 

Dr. iiuoch Chace came to Coldwater from Vermont in 
the fall of 1831, and practiced medicine until 1834, when 
he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., where he has been engaged 
in farming and making the celebrated Milwaukee white 
brick, an extensive bed of the clay for which he found on 
his farm. He is still living there, and has become wealthy. 

Dr. Chace was the only physician of this place, so far as 
is known, who went before the Board of Censors of " The 
Medical Society of the Territory of Michigan," and ob- 
tained a license to practice medicine and surgery in the 
Territory. This society was established and the license 
given according to statute ''made and provided ;" and this 
legal supervision of medical matters in those early times 
may explain why all the pioneer physicians of Coldwater 
were men of fair ability. 

A copy of the license of Dr. Chace is inserted as an in- 
teresting relic of the early times. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



137 



"TKuniTORY OF Michigan. 
" To all to whom these presents shall come, or may in any way 
coniern, the I'lcsijent, Secretary, and Censors of the Medical Society 
of the Territory of Miehigun : 

•'Whereas, Enoch Chase halh exhiliited unto us satisfactory testi- 
mony that he hath studied Physic and Surgery for the time and in 
the manner directed by law. 

" Now, know ye, that by virtue of the power vested in us by law, 
Wk no UHANT unto the said Knoch Chiiac tho privilege of practicing 
Physic and Surgery in this Territory, together with all the rights and 
immunities which may pcrt4iin to Physic and Surgery. 

" R. S. Ure, 1 

"Wll.l.IAM ClIAI'IX, y ('elisor*. 
"Jonx S. Whit.nev, j 

" In testimony of which we have caused the seal of Society to be 
affi-xcd at the city of Detroit, this Tlh day of July, a.u. 1831. 

" Stki'Iikn C. IIknrv, 

" J*rehitU-nt. 
" R. S. Rice, 

*' tS'cfi'et<tr^. 

** The above is a true copy of said license. 

"John Mokse, 
*' Clerk of the town of Gi-een. 
"CoLDWATER, Aug. 1, 1831." 

Dr. Wui. H. Haiichett came fniin Summit Co., 0., in 
the fill! of 1832, just after tiie clo.se of tiie Black Hawk 
war. He was a most energetic, indefatigable worker for 
the advancement of the interests of Coldwater, and estab- 
lished a reputation and character that made him, for many 
years, the large-st and most successful practitioner of medi- 
cine in the county. From 1840 to 1850 he was in part- 
nership with Dr. S. S. Cutter, now of this city. In 
1851 he emigrated to California, and after a residence of 
several years in that State he removed to Eugene City, 
Oregon, wliere he died. 

Dr. Hiram Alden came from Westfield, N. Y., in 1834. 
He was a well-educated and energetic man ; an active 
Democrat; entered into politics; was elected to the Legis- 
hiture of Michigan, on a local issue, in 1837, and to the 
office of Commissioner of Internal Improvement in 1838, 
which office he held until his death in 1839. He was the 
father of Mrs. A. Waterman, Mrs. R. Root, Mrs. H. 
Ilaynes, Mrs. IT. C. Lewis, of Coldwater, and of Jlrs. 
John Lewis, of Jonesville, Mich. ; and of four sons. Rath- 
burn, Isaac, Philander, and Willis, nearly all of whom have 
been prominently identified with the society of Coldwater 
from its earliest times. 

Dr. Bigsbeo, botanic physician, a kind-hearted, hard- 
working man, did what he could to cure di-sease here from 
1833 to 1845, when he had to succumb to the Destroyer, 
and died in the west part of the township of Quincy, 
where he had gone to live some years previous. 

Dr. Darwin Littleficld, of Vermont, after graduating from 
the medical college at Casllcton, came here from Penficld, 
N. Y., in 1835, and engaged in the practice of medicine, 
in which he continued until a few years previous to his 
death, when he had to aiiandon it almost entirely on ac- 
count of failing health. He died in 1870, aged sixty-five, 
Dr. Littlefiold's wife, who survives him, is sister of the late 
L. D. Crippcn and I'iiilo Crippen, now resident here, who, 
with their families, have been largel}' identified with the 
growth and prosperity of this city from early times. Dr. 
Littleficld was always lively, .social, and kind-hearted, and 
18 



took great delight in being a prominent leader of the choir 
in the Methodist church. 

Dr. Wm. B. Sprague, graduate from .\lhany Medical 
College, New York, settled on the farm where he now lives, 
in the east part of this city, in 1835. Ho engaged to some 
extent in the practice of medicine for a few years, when, 
on account of poor health, he changed liis occupation to 
farming; but his counsel and advice have often been sought 
by other physicians in consultation for many years since 
he ceased active practice. 

Dr. Corwin, from Lyons, N. X., practiced medicine here 
in 1838. He was an old man, well educated, and died in 
a short time after coming here, at Mansonville, on the river, 
in the west part of the city. 

Dr. D. Clark, from Rochester, N. Y., practiced here a 
short time in 1837, when he left for St. Louis, Mo., where 
he died. He was the father of Mrs. Sampson, who now 
lives with her cousin, Wm. Scovill, in the township of 
Coldwater. 

Dr. Calkins, from Albion, N. Y., was a partner of Dr. 
Wm. H. Hanchett in this city for a short time in 1838, 
when they dissolved, and he, Dr. Calkins, edited the Cold- 
water Ohservcr for a year or so, and then left the place. 

Dr. H. B. Stillman resided in early life at Cherry Val- 
ley, N. Y., where he studied medicine and surgery with 
the celebrated Dr. White of that place. After finishing 
his studies, — graduating from Castleton Medical College, 
New York, — he commenced tho practice of his profession 
in Toledo^O., where he lived two years, and removed to 
Branch, which was then the county-seat of this county, in 
1838, and in 184 4 he permanently settled in Coldwater, 
which place had then been for several years the principal 
town, and had been established the countj'-seat against its 
rival, the village of Branch. Dr. Stillman was elected 
county clerk while living at Branch, which office he held 
for several j'ears after removing to Coldwater. He was a 
Democrat until the breaking out of the war of the Rebel- 
lion, when he united with the Republicans. He was an 
active politician, particularly well read in all political mat- 
ters pertaining to this country, and gave his attention more 
to such subjects than to medicine, but in all nialteis his 
judgment was good. 

Dr. Bacon, from Ithaca, N. Y., in 1841 commenced the 
practice of medicine here. He was a finely-educated man, 
of fine personal appearance and cultivated manners. He 
left in about a year and a half afterwards for Illinois. 

Dr. Matthew Gill came here from Albany, N. Y., in 
1840, where he graduated, and in about two years left for 
Battle Creek, where he has since resided and practiced 
medicine until two or three years ago, since when he has 
been in the role of '' traveling physician," treating hemor- 
rhoidal diseases. He married while here Miss Susan 
Fiske, daughter of James Fiske, a very worthy pioneer, 
and father of Rev. Luther R. Fiske, president of Albion 
College, Michigan, and of D. W. J. Fiske and Mrs. I. G. 
Miles, of this place. 

Dr. Peter Sprague, elder brother of Dr. Wm. B. Sprague, 
of this place, and father of Philander Sprague, Esq., of 
Batavia, in this county, came here from Broadalbin, 
N. Y., in 1844; and after following his profession here 



138 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



for a few years he went to live on his farm in Batavia, 
Michigan, where he died in 1860. He married while 
here Mrs. R. Hull, owner of Hull's addition to the city of 
Coldwater; but she, preferring to live in Coldwater, did not 
go with her husband to Batavia. 

Dr. N. B. Welper practiced the " healing art" here from 
1846 to 1856, when he removed to Hillsdale, Mich., where 
he subsequently edited a Democratic paper. He died at 
Hillsdale. 

Dr. William L. Clarke, graduate from Jefferson Medical 
College, Philadelphia, emigrated from Rochester, N. Y., to 
this place in 1848, and followed his profession here until 
1852, when he went to Chicago, where he now lives and 
has a very fine practice in medicine and surgery. Dr. 
Clarke was an unusually well-educated physician when he 
came here, and was considered one of the best surgeons 
who had ever resided here. His father was a noted physi- 
cian, and lie is brother of Mrs. Sarah E. Lippincott, of 
Philadelphia, whose nam de plume is " Grace Greenwood." 

From 1845 to 1848, Coldwater could boast of having 
what the regular educated doctors called a noted quack in 
Dr. Fasey, who did quite a large business, part in respect- 
able families, for which he chiirged enormous fees, and gen- 
erally managed to collect them. He kept a fine establish- 
ment, dressed well, and made a fine personal appearance. 
He was an Englishman. He was ruined in his practice 
here by the discovery of a medicine he was using largely 
for a patient, who soon died. 

Dr. Stocking, facetiously called " Socks," held forth here 
asa " Thompsonian doctor" from 1845 to 1850. He had only 
the simplest rudiments of any kind of education, and yet 
there were people here in those days, some of them " well 
to do" and reasonably well informed, who were so attached 
to red pepper, lobelia, and " No. 6," that they would trust 
their health and their lives in the hands of an ignoramus, 
if he were only called a Thompsonian. Dr. Stocking, on 
being asked if he had ever studied anatomy, physiology, or 
chemistry, replied, " No ; I am not the kind of doctor that 
has to study them things. It is the other fellers — the 
regulars — that have to do that. I know Thompson's book. 
Didn't he say in that that he learnt his anatomy on 
himself and his botany in the hayfield ? And that book 
I know is all right, because there was a patent issued on it 
by the Patent Office of the United States of America, 
which is authority enough for me. By that book I will be 
tried for malpractice if I am accused." Said his interrog- 
ator, " Do you feel the pulse and examine your patients to 
ascertain the nature of their complaints?" " Well, I do, 
just for the looks of the thing. But it makes no difjerence, 
for I give them a " regular course" any way. " What is 
that?" said his questioner. " Why," said the doctor, " a 
regular course of medicine, according to Thompson, is to 
commence at No. 1 and go rigid through to N'o. 6." " Sup- 
pose that Mh ?" " I'll give him another course ; and so 
on, over and over, until my patient gets well or dies, if he 
will let me ; and that's all I profess ; and that's all there is 
in Thompsonianism." The doctor was very plain in per- 
sonal appearance — almost ragged sometimes; but he was 
quick and shrewd, and had a ready fund of native wit, and 
afforded » large amount of amusement by his eccentricities. 



He let all the light that was in him shine ; and lived up to 
his profession honestly, — which was to give his patients 
from No. 1 to No. 6, according to Thompson, and repeat, if 
they would let him or if they did not die ! Says Crabbe, 
all such quacks are — 

*' Void of all honor, avaricious, rasli, 
The daring tribe compound their boasted trash — 
Tincture or syrup, lotion, drop, or pill: 
All tempt the tick to trutt the Ijing bill. 
There are among them those who cannot read. 
And yet they'll buy a patent and succeed; 
Will dare to promise dying sufl'erers aid. 
For who, when dead, can threaten or upbraid? 
AVith cruel avarice still they recommend 
More driiughts, more syrups to the journey's end. 
' I feel it not.' ' Then take it every hour.' 
' It makes me worse.' ' Why then it shows its power.' 
' I fear to die.' ' Let not your spirits sink, — 
' You're always safe while you believe and Jriiil: !' " 

Dr. S. S. Cutter .studied medicine in this place, com- 
mencing in the fall of 1842. His preceptor was Dr. Wm. 
H. Hanchett, with whom he commenced practice after 
graduating from Geneva, N. Y., Medical College in 1846. 
He was a partner of Dr. Hanchett's until 1850, since 
which time he has continued in the pursuit of his profes- 
sion here alone, except in 1851 and a part of 1852 he was 
in partnership with Dr. S. H. p]stabrook, his brother-in-law, 
and has su.stained a high reputation professionally as well 
as a social position. 

He was a member of the board of trustees, when this 
place was under a village charter, and member of the 
common council, since it became a city, several times. 
He was president of the village corporation from March 1, 
1859, to April 1, 1860, when this place was organized as 
a city, since which time he has had the office of mayor one 
year. From 1858 to 1864 he was a member of the board 
of education, during which time the Central school-build- 
ing was erected, and the schools thoroughly reorganized. 
As moderator for two years and director fur three years, he 
gave a large portion of his time to the work of elevating 
the standard of the public schools, and in making their 
work more thorough and efficient. 

In 1862 he was appointed United States examining sur- 
geon for pensions, which office he now holds. In 1869 he 
was appointed by Gov. H. P. Baldwin chairman of a 
special commission, authorized by joint resolution of the 
Legislature of this State, on penal, pauper, and charitable 
institutions. The object of this commission was to ascer- 
tain by investigation the imperfections of such institutions, 
in this State, and recoiumend any changes found necessary. 
He, with the other members, spent a large portion of time 
in traveling in this and other States, and made a report to 
the Governor, which was presented to the Legislature in 
1870. The report recommended m'any radical changes in 
the administration of these affairs, some of which have been 
adopted, and among them is the State Public School, 
located in this place. He was a member of the board of 
control of this institution for six months previous, and for 
a year and a half after its opening, in 1874, and gave a 
large portion of his time in endeavoring to make what was 
then an experiment for the State a successful charity. It 
has become so. 



HISTOllY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



139 



Dr. C. S. Tucker came from I'orta-^e Co., Oliio, iu 
1840, and .settled on a farm in Kinderhook, in this county, 
and in 1844 he located in this place, where he has since 
lived. He has had a large and lucrative practice, and has 
accumulated thereby a handsome fortune, which he is now 
enjoying in his fine residence in the second ward of this 
city. 

Dr. J. II. Bcecli came from Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y., 
to this place in 1849, and resided here until his death, in 
the fall of 1878. Dr. Beech was, during the time he lived 
here, one of the most accomplished and energetic physi- 
cians of this city. lie had an extensive practice, surgery 
being for a long time his specialty, in which he was de- 
servedly noted, not only in this place, but largely through- 
out the State. He Wiis surgeon of the 24th Regiment 
Michigan A'olunteers for nearly three years during the 
war of the Rebellion, and during that time served as one 
of the principal surgeons on the operating board in the 
Army of the Potomac. He was for several years a member 
of the board of education of this city, and for two years he 
held the oflBce of mayor. He was always active in work, 
and very liberal in donations for all worthy public improve- 
ments. By his industry in his profession alone, he accu- 
mulated a reasonable competence, and died honored and 
respected by his fellow-citizens. 

Dr. I. P. Alger studied medicine in this place with 
Dr. Wm. H. Hanchett and Dr. H. B. Stillman, com- 
menced the practice in 1849, and still holds forth as a dis- 
ciple of Esculapius. He has been always an active poli- 
tician, generally acting with the Republicans ; and has been 
ever ready to take the stump in any political contest, al- 
though he always speaks from motives of principle and not 
for personal ends or emoluments, as he has never been a 
candidate for or a seeker after oflBce. The doctor is quite 
fluent and witty in his speeches, a very good story-teller, 
and never severe upon his opponents, but quite evenly can- 
vasses both sides of a question. He has been very active 
in collating facts of the pioneer life of this county, and is 
a member of the State Pioneer Society. 

Dr. S. H. Estabrook, after studying medicine with his 
brother-in-law, Dr. S. S. Cutter, and graduating from the 
medical department of the University of New York, com- 
menced the practice of medicine here in 1851, as a partner 
of Dr. Cutter, and after about two years he located in 
Quincy, Mich., where he went into the business of selling 
drugs and medicines. He married while here a daughter 
of A. L. Porter, Esq. He was well educated and success- 
ful as a practitioner. He died at Ottawa, Kan., where he 
had resided for several years, in 1873. 

Dr. Rufus Kibbe came here from Lenawee Co., Mich., 
where he had an extensive and profitable practice, and en- 
gaged in selling drugs and medicines on the corner in this 
city now belonging to his estate, in 1851. After accumu- 
lating ([uite a large property he retired from that business, 
and was engaged more or less in the practice of medicine 
until his death, in the fall of 1878. 

Dr. Tuttle, son-in-law of Judge Goodwin, of this county, 
followed his profession here from 1851 to 1853, when he 
left for Texas, where he died during the war of the Re- 
bellion. 



Dr. Nathan Hewitt, now residing in Gilcad, in this 
county, was a partner of Dr. D. Littleficld iu 1852. 

Dr. P. P. Nichols, after graduating from Jefferson Med- 
ical College, Pa., came here from Philadelphia, where he 
was born and educated, and located in Coldwater in 185G. 
After practicing about a year he entered into partnership 
with Dr. H. B. Stillman. Although he was finely educated 
for his profession, and possessed natural ability for it, after 
continuing in practice about three years, he relinquished it 
for other pursuits, — he having been elected to the office of 
registrar for Branch County. 

The doctor has always been esteemed very highly as a 
citizen, possessing genial social qualities that have made 
him a universal favorite. 

Dr. Geo. K. Smith read medicine with Drs. Hanchett 
and Cutter, of this place, and, after graduating from the 
Cleveland (Ohio) Medical College, commenced practice here 
in 1852 ; and the same year he went to California, where 
he followed his profession until 18G3, when he was ap- 
pointed post surgeon at Fort Yamhill, Or., and subsequently 
he held the same position at Fort Lapwai, Idaho, and at the 
latter place he was appointed by the Governor of Washing- 
ton Territory, physician to the Nex Perces, at the .agency 
near that place. In 186G he resigned his commissions and 
returned to this place, and was engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits until 18G9, when he resumed the practice of medi- 
cine, and still continues it. 

Dr. L. C. Marsh has practiced medicine here since 1853. 
In 1864 his brother, Dr. D. C. Marsh, was a partner of 
his for a short time, when he lefl for Texas, but returned 
here, after several years, to die at his father's residence. 
Dr. L. C. Marsh has always sustained a good reputation 
here as a gentleman and a reputable practitioner. 

Dr. Maxon, eclectic and botanic physician, flourished 
here, in what he called the " healing art," from about 1849 
to 1855. The last urgent call he had, so far as is known, 
was from the .sheriff of the county, who was "after him" 
on account of some bank-notes he had passed that were not 
properly engraved and signed. 

Dr. D. C. Powers graduated from Berkshire Medical Col- 
lege, at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1848, and very soon after, he 
went to California, and returned to Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
where ho had lived and studied mediciive, and located in 
Auburn, N. Y., in 1850, where he pursued his profession 
for two years, and then left for California again. He left 
that State in 1855, and located here as a homoeopathic 
physician. He acted as surgeon in the army from April, 
1862, to July, 1864. He has been a member of tlic board 
of education for six years ; and for two years he has been 
mayor of this city. He has held for several years the 
position of one of the directors in the Southern Michigan 
National Bank. The doctor has had, during all the time 
he has lived here, a large and lucrative practice. He has 
been an active supporter, by work and liberal contribu- 
tions, to the church and many enterprises for public im- 
provement. In his profession he is held in high estimation 
by his medical confrires and his patrons for his prudence 
and skill, and by the community generally he is esteemed 
honoi'able and high-minded. 

Dr. Gully, hydropatliLst, established a " water-cure" here 



140 



HlSTORy OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



about 1856, in the old Exchange Hotel on West Chicago 
Street. Although he had the aid of a very ardent disciple, 
N. T. Waterman, the institution " came to grief" for the 
want of support and funds, and had to close in a year 
or two. 

Dr. George Ferguson commenced the practice of medi- 
cine in Ovid, in this county, in 1854, and in 1859 he 
located in this place in the business of selling drugs and 
medicines, which he closed out in 1868, and resumed his 
profession, in which he still continues, and is doing a credit- 
able business. 

Dr. Ford, eclectic, " cancer and corn doctor," with no 
preparation or education except mostly what could be 
gained by filing saws, " went into" the credulous and super- 
stious of this place and vieiuity, from 1855 to 1860, and 
succeeded in making quite a large number — some of them 
quite respectable people — believe he had the power to 

"Heal a' their ills 
Wi' ready art." 

Dr. J. H. White and Dr. Gregory, who were associated 
together in the practice of homceopathy, came in 1854. 
Dr. White remained until 1861, when he removed to 
Chicago, and accepted a professorship in the homoeopathic 
medical college located in that city, and from there removed 
to New York. In Coldwater he enjoyed an excellent repu- 
tation as a physician and a large practice, and is now pur- 
suing his profession in New York, where he ranks .among 
the leading physicians of the homeopathic school in that 
city. Dr. Gregory removed to Ohio after a two years' 
residence in Coldwater. 

Dr. B. F. Benliam came in 1861, and practiced homoe- 
opathy for two years ; and Dr. J. M. Long, the same year, 
succeeded Dr. J. H. White, and is now one of the leading 
homoeopathic practitioners. Dr. Long has an extensive 
practice, and has established a reputation not only as a 
skillful physician, but as a man of much integrity of char- 
acter. He is a firm believer in the school of medicine he 
represents, and enjoys an enviable reputation among his 
professional brethren of the homoeopathic school. 

Dr. John H. Bennett commenced the practice of medicine 
in Algansee, in this county, in 1854, and permanently located 
in this place in 1864, where he resides now, still practicing 
his profession. The doctor displayed great energy in obtain- 
ing his medical education. Unaided and alone he took up 
the study of civil engineering, and so far perfected himself 
that, he states, in 1852 he was appointed division engineer 
in the construction of the Binghamton and Syracuse Rail- 
road in New Y^ork, and that he attended to this business as 
a pastime while studying medicine. He was elected coroner 
in 1858, and since that time he has held that office and the 
office of county surveyor nearly continuously. He and Dr. 
H. B. Stillman were appointed surgeons for the "draft" by 
Gov. Blair in 1863. He was alderman in this city from 
1865 to 1869, and during that time became the father of 
the celebrated " Bennett ditch," which saves this place 
almost every year from being largely overflowed with sur- 
face water. He has given considerable attention to the 
study of geology, and has rendered important aid to the 
State geologist in his survey in this county. He has a large 



practice, but he always takes time in political contests to 
" stump" the county, and sometimes beyond it. He is an 
incisive, energetic speaker, and very severe upon his op- 
ponents. 

Dr. Bunker, homoeopath and eclectic, and Dr. Gee, ho- 
moeopathist, were located here from 1862 to 1864, when 
they left the place, — the latter with another man's wife. 

Dr. Dake created considerable sensation here from 1865 
to 1866 as a "clairvoyant doctor," and on account of some 
other practices, which it may not be prudent to mention, 
he obtained considerable money; and he was a '■■charming 
doctor." 

Dr. Miner, professed homoeopathist, came here in 1848 
and remained one year. He was from Algansee, in this 
county, where he had practiced as an eclectic ; and where 
he obtained considerable notoriety for curing ulcers by the 
use of cat-skins taken off immediately afler the animals were 
killed, and applied to the sore while they were warm. There 
was great destruction of cats in those days ; upwards of 
eighty of the feline species having been killed to cure one 
sore leg ! 

Dr. George W. Whetford, eclectic, located here in 1867, 
and still continues to practice medicine. He is a hard- 
working man ; and has done a large amount of business, 
more especially in the country. 

Dr. N. S. Daniels and Dr. H. AV. Vanderhoof, students 
of Dr. Whetford, practiced more or less with the latter from 
187.3 to 1877. 

Dr. R. B. Jefi'erds located where he now lives, a mile and a 
half east of this city, in 1867. He studied medicine with Prof. 
Edward Moore, of Rochester, N. Y., and in 1847 gradu- 
ated from Berkshire Medical College, at Pittsfield, Mass. 
He practiced in Orleans Co., N. Y., and in Marshall, Mich., 
until 1858, when he removed to Lansing, Mich., and en- 
gaged in selling drugs and medicine until 1861, when he 
raised a company for the war. He was first lieutenant 
Company G, 3d Regiment Michigan Volunteers, and was 
subsequently promoted to the captaincy. Dr. Jefferds is a 
well-educated man, and successful in practice. 

Miss S. Fidelia Baker, M.D., after graduating from the 
Woman's Medical College, Philadelphia, located here in 
1872, and remained for about three years, when she re- 
moved to Chicago, where she is doing a large and paying 
business, and is esteemed very highly for her scholarly at- 
tainments, and for her skill and ability in medicine. She 
succeeded well while here, and left a large number of friends 
who sincerely regretted her departure. 

Miss Dr. Livingston, homoeopathist, practiced medicine 
here during 1875 and 1876. 

Dr. Frank Buckland, after graduating from the medical 
department of the University of New \"ork, served as sur- 
geon in the army during the war of the Rebellion, and lo- 
cated in this place in 1868. After practicing his profession 
here five years he removed to Illinois, where he died. He 
left a wife who survived him two years, and who was a 
daughter of Dr. Rufus Kibbe, of this city. Dr. Buekland 
was a young man of fine personal appearance and good at- 
tainments, and sustained an excellent reputation in the 
practice of medicine. 

Dr. Rogers, homoeopathist, practiced here from 1862 to 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



141 



I8G0. Tic w;is nil u]iiii;lit, lidiiiinilile gentleman, and had 
a fair ainoiiiit of biisitioss in his pnifession. 

Dr. II. B. Towii.scnd canio here in 18U0 from Wisconsin, 
where he had been in the drug and medicine business, and 
engaged in the practice of his profession, in which he con- 
tinued until 1875, when he removed to Ann Arbor, in or- 
der to facilitate the education of his daughter, who had 
been admitted into the classical course in the university 
there. The doctor, while here, was an active member of 
the board of education for several years ; and he alwa}'* 
took a deep interest in all matters pertaining to public edu- 
cation. He was successful in practice, and always was a 
thorough student, giving much of his time to study, not 
onlj" in his profession, but in general literature. 

Dr. Collins, " Indian doctor," but not an Indian, made 
quite a sensation here from ISGO to 18G2. A part of this 
time he had as co-worker a Dr. Stevens, who, as well as his 
con/rh-e, could nut have been charged with overtaxing his 
brain with hard study or knowing too much. 

Dr. Whitehorn located liere in IStjlJ, and practiced here 
one year. 

Dr. L. Wurtz. graduate from the Cincinnati Medical Col- 
lege, established himself hero in the practice of his pro- 
fession in 1875. He came here from Jackson, Mich., 
where he had lived and practiced medicine for several 
years. His attention has been given largely to the treat- 
ment of diseases of the eye and ear, in which he has been 
successful. For two years he has held the position of 
health officer of this city. 

Dr. Charles Lovcwell studied medicine here, and then 
graduated from the medical department of the University of 
Michigan in 1871, when he commenced practice here with 
Dr. J. H. Bennett. In 1875 he removed to Chicago, where 
he is doing well. 

Dr. Wm. Burdick, homoeopalhist, practiced in partner- 
ship with Dr. D. C. Powers for one year, in 1874 and 
1875. 

Dr. L. Wassabo commenced here as a " doctor" in 1875, 
and still remains here. 

Dr. Charles E Smith, homoeopathist, practiced here about 
a year, as a partner of Dr. I. M. Long, in 1875 and 1876. 

Dr. Cady, eclectic, has been in practice here about 

two years previous to this time, and still continues. 

Dr. G. V. Voorhees, graduate from Bellevuc Medical 
College, New York, commenced practice in Adrian, Mich., 
in 1870, and five years after he removed to South Bend, 
Ind., where he pursued his profession until tiic fall of 1878, 
when he settled in this place. 

Tlio historian is liiippy to aclinowlcdge his indcbtedneaa to Dr. S. S. Cutter in 
the compilation of the foregoing very conipreliensivo sketch. 

BANKS. 
EARLV WILDCAT BANKING IN COLDWATER. 

" You do not yet know, my son, with how little wisdom 
the world is governed;" said Oxensticrua in 1C48, when 
the people as an clement of control in politics was compara- 
tively unknown. And when we call to mind the many edicts 
that have been promulgated, the many laws enacted by autc- 
crutic, arbitrary authority which during the ages have been 



submissively and blindly obeyed by the people, though 
bringing tiiem ineparablc injury in estate and deprivations 
of civil and rcligidiis liberty, we are, seeing this, painfully 
impressed that history proves only too conclusively the 
truth of this remarkable saying of Sweden's great chan- 
cellor, that it takes very little wi.sdom to govern mankind. 

The laws of all countries for ail time since paper currency 
has been used have been remarkable in attempting to create 
a value where none existed. Paper currency, which only 
promised to pay mono}', has been confounded with money 
itself so much and so long that it has been largely treated 
as money itself But whenever the issue of this currency 
materially exceeded the money it promised to pay, in any 
country, its value depreciated down to the amount of the 
actual money in that country, or lower, and often became 
worthless. The cxninjiles of Fiance and England, and of 
our own country, fully illustiate this. When Michigan 
was a Territory, there was no general banking law, the banks 
being incorporated by special charters, which were substan- 
tially the same. The capital in each case was nominally 
one hundred thousand dollars, with the right to increase 
the same to three bundled thousand dollars. The circnl.i- 
tion could be three times the amount of the capital paid in, 
and in case of an excess of circulation beyond that amount, 
the directors permitting it became personall}' responsible. 
For this issue no security was required by bonds, stocks, 
mortgages, or anything else. By such a law one Coldwater 
national bank could issue with its one hundred thousand 
dollars capital three hundred thousand dollars of circulation, 
and one Southern Michigan national bank, with its one 
hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars, could issue four 
hundred and ninety-five thousand dollars, — nearly half a 
million. This excessive circulation must have been based 
not on the ability to redeem on presentation, but the ability 
to pay when the bills discounted were collected, which had 
been taken for the bank-bills issued. Such an amount of 
currency would have made banking very profitable if the 
bill-holders had not asked to have their paper promises re- 
deemed, which they did, thus bringing ruin upon them in 
the great panic of lS:)7-38. The following-named were 
Territorial banks : 

Bank of Michigan, chartered 1817; capital 8100,000. 

Bank of Monroe, chartered 1827 ; cajiital SI 00,1)00. 

Bank of Pontiac, chartered 1835; capital 8100.000. 

Bank of Kivcr Raisin, chartered 1832 ; capital SI 00,000. 

Bank of Washtenaw, chartered 1885; capital §100,000. 

Bank of Wiscon.sin, chartered 1835; capital 5100,000. 

Bank of Erie and Kalamazoo, chartered 1835 ; capital 
$100,000. 

Merchants' and Mechanics' Bank, chartered 1835 ; cap- 
ital $200,000. 

All these banks failed, mainly for want of a proper cap- 
ital as compared with their circulation. 

In January, 1837, Michigan was admitted into the 
Union as a State. This was an era of the wildest specula- 
tion. The pioneers of that time yet living, relate vividly 
the oft-repeated story of excessive prices of wild or unculti- 
vated lands, and of lots in prosjiective villages and cities, 
which now have nothing but the recorded plat in the office 
of the registrar of deeds to indicate their location. This 



142 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 



speculation was no doubt largely owing to the great amount 
of paper money afloat on the State. It took a great amount 
of currency to buy property, and thus property was called 
high when it really was the money which had depreciated. 
• In March, 18.37, a general banking law was enacted, 
making the business free to all. Under this law was the 
early banking in Branch County, of which this paper 
treats. The general provisions of this law wore fairly 
drawn, except that in the two important features that 
concern most the public — security to the bill-holders and 
a hona fide capital to secure the depositors — they were 
inadequate. The capital must not be less than fifty thou- 
sand dollars or more than one hundred thousand dollars. 
The issue could be two and one-half times the capital 
paid in. The interest should not exceed seven per cent. 
on discounts, and the banks were required to make semi- 
annual dividends, thus assuming the banks' ability always 
to do this. The security for the payment of the banks' 
obligations were to bo bonds and mortgages on real estate, 
to be held by the bank commissioner, and the specie in the 
vaults of the corporation. Few banks had this specie, 
though the law required thirty per cent, of the capital to be 
paid in " legal money of the United States." These specie 
deposits furnished little reliable security. The fact was the 
bank commissioner, whose duty it was to examine these 
banks once in three months was often deceived, as one bank 
would inform another when the commissioner was comino-, 
and the banks would borrow money to exhibit to the com- 
missioner and return it when he went away. In this man- 
. ner the same specie would often serve for the use of several 
banks. Surely our financial pioneers were not wanting in skill 
to bank without money. A good story is told of ex-Gov- 
ernor Felch to the effect that when he was State bank com- 
missioner going from one bank to another on his round trip 
he noticed a familiar look in the boxes containing the silver. 
After reaching the end of his route, though finding all the 
banks supplied with specie, he suddenly turned back and, 
re-examining the banks, found them without coin. 

John Alden, an old and respected citizen of Coldwater, 
relates how, when a young man, between Detroit and Pon- 
tiac, he drove the team which carried the coin from bank 
to bank for the commissioner to examine. 

This was the system of banking which was inaugurated 
in the early days of Michigan, the overthrow of which so 
shocked this State, financially, that many years elapsed 
before a recovery from its effects. 

It was under the general banking law of 1837 as amended 
that Branch County took never-to-be-forgotten lessons in 
financiering. The county then had a population of four 
thousand, and the village of Coldwater numbered about 
five hundred souls. Coldwater was ambitious. The men of 
business who planned and worked were full of energy and 
activity. There were many men of first-class business 
ability and sterling worth. The history of the old Cold- 
water Bank illustrates the system of banking in this State 
in the early days. Some of the facts here are from the 
public records and others are from the lips of old and reli- 
able citizens, among whom thanks for assistance are due 
Hon. E. G. Fuller, Mr. Philo H. Ciippen, and Thomas 
Dougherty. This bank was organized in December, 1837. 



The capital named was one hundred thousand dollars. 
The books of the bank, which cannot be found, would no 
doubt correct some of the figures here given. The stock- 
holders were Hauchett & Holbrook, William A. Kent, L. 

D. & P. H. Crippen, James H. Hanchett, Robert Baker, 
R. J. Champion, William Reynolds, H. Cowles, Ed. Sloan, 
B. Crippen, Lewis Goddard, of Detroit, John J. Curtis, 
Loren Marsh, John Conley, Martin Olds, Harvey Warner, 
Lot Whitcomb, J. S. Ware, Enoch Jones, L. Taylor, and 

E. G. Fuller. 

The first board of directors were L. D. Crippen, P. H. 
Crippen, Wm. H. Cross, Loren Marsh, Thomas Dougherty, 
Morgan L. Collins, Walter W. Prentice, Daniel 0. Hoyte, 
and Lewis Goddard. L D. Crippen was President ; George 
Nichols, Cashier ; and a Mr. Mandel, Teller. The bank 
was located in a little one-story building on the north side 
of Chicago Street, where Mr. L. Sloraau's aud Mr. Flander- 
meyer's stores now stand. The following is a copy of one 
of the bonds given to secure general creditors and bill- 
holders : 

" Know all men by these presents, that we, Lorenzo D. Crippen 
and Philo H. Crippen, ol' Coldwater, of the County of Branch and 
State of Michigan, stockholder.^ in the bank of Coldwater, are held 
and firmly bound unto Robert Abbott, Auditor-General of the State 
of Michigan, and his successors in office, for and in behalf of the people 
of said State, in the penal sum of five thousand four hundred dollars 
lawful money of the United States of America, to be paid to the said 
Robert Abbott, Auditor-General as aforesaid, or his successors in office; 
for which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our 
heirs, executors, and administrators firmly by these presents. 

'* Sealed with our seals, and dated the Sth of December, one thou- 
sand eight hundred and thirty-seven. 

" Whti-eas, an association has been formed under an act entitled 
nn 'Act to organize and regulate Banking Associations,' approved 
March 15, 18.37, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars: 
and whereas, the said association is to be known and designated by 
the name of the Bank of Coldwater, and the office for the transaction 
of the business of said bank is located at the village of Coldwater, in 
the County of Branch, in the State of Michigan ; and whereas Lorenzo 
D. Crippen, Philo D. Crippen, Wm. H. Cross, Loren Marsh, Thomas 
Dougherty, Morgan L. Collins, Walter W. Prentice. Daniel 0. Hoyte, 
and Lewis Goddard have been duly elected the directors of the said 
Bank of Coldwater, by the subscribers to the capital stock of said as- 
sociation, in the mode presented in said act ; now, therefore, the con- 
dition of this ol)ligation is such, that if the said Bank of Coldwater, 
punctually, on their becoming due, pays all debts which may be con- 
tracted by said association or its agents, and shall discharge all liabili- 
ties which may exist against it, and if the said Bank of Coldwater shall 
faithfully redeem at the time, and in the manner preserLbed by the 
act above referred to, all notes and obligations issued by it, then, and 
in that case this obligation to be void. Otherwise in full force and 
virtue. Executed the day and year aforesaid. In presence of 

" Lorenzo D. Crippen, 
"Philo H. Crippen." 

The career of the Coldwater Bank was not solely affected 
by the times. There were other and more internal causes 
which determined results in its case. The specie of this 
bank was similar to that of others under the same system. 
It existed only on paper : it never saw the bank. The 
certificate of a Mr. Brown, of Detroit, showing the requi- 
site specie in American half-dollars was deposited in his 
bank to the credit of the Coldwater Bank, did the work. 
This satisfied the examining officers, and the certificate was 
returned to Mr. Brown, it having been loaned fraudulently, 
there having been no specie to represent it in his bank or 
elsewhere. Before the issue of bills a new election of 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



143 



directors was had, l)y wliieli a majority of tiio directors 
wore non-rosidciits in the interest and control of Goddard 
and Ware. It iiad been agreed in the or^^anization of the 
bank that Coldwater should have a majority of the direc- 
tors, and the Detroit parties a majority of the stock, and 
this new election was a violation of the arrangement. 
George Nichols removed here before lie was elected di- 
rector, and was in Goddard and Ware's interest, and 
being cashier gave the Detroit parties inside control. 
Goddard was the ruling spirit. It was the special busi- 
ness of Goddard and Ware to organize banks, as they 
had done in other places, for the sake of what might be 
made fiom thetn. Goddard was a man about forty years 
of age, while most of the other directors were under thirty. 
He had established one bank at Brest, just north of Mon- 
roe, on tlie lake, and intended making it a great commercial 
and luaritime centre. Under this regime and in the con- 
trol of these men, the bills of the Coldwater Bank were 
issued to the amount allowed by law, as the writer has been 
informed. In legitimate banking these bills would have 
been properly paid out in making loans. There was no 
specie in the vaults to redeem them. Goddard had another 
theory with regard to these new bills, just fresh and crisp 
from the printers. He was a man of financial theories, — 
too much so for our Coldwater merchants, farmers, lawyers, 
and doctors. His system, whicii he promulgated to the 
pioneers of Branch County, especially directed to the direc- 
tors of the bank, was as follows : he declared it was not 
necessary for a bank to have .specie of its own ; a bank 
should create specie. The pioneer stockholders and direc- 
tors living to-day will tell you how he bewildered and 
influenced them by his logical reasoning on creating specie. 

" What," said lie, " is a bank good for unless it is well 
enough conducted to create its own specie? In order to 
create specie of your own you must exchange your circu- 
lation for it; you must take your bills away from home so 
they will be slow in returning for redemption, taking away 
the specie you have created. The way to obtain this specie 
by exchange is to get the bills of other banks with your 
bills, take these bills of other banks to their counters, get 
the gold on them and bring it Inime, and put it in your 
own vaults. In this way you have created specie, and have 
provided the bank with the material for redeeming your 
bills; and I can show you how to do it." 

M. Ij. Crippen, a gentleman of I'arc business ability, saw 
the fallacy of Goddard's plan, and objected ; but Goddard 
and Ware had a majority of the directors, and consequently 
controlled the bank. Goddard very generously offered to 
give the bank his valuable time to go on the pilgrimage to 
exchange bills for bills and bills for gold, thus creating 
specie. So he and his coadjutors had their way, and he 
was periuitted to take away twenty thousand dollars to 
create specie with, and also five thousand dollars as a 
personal loan. This event happened the winter or spring 
of 1838, most of it being taken the day the bank opened. 
About forty-one years have gone into history .since that 
eventful day to the Coldwater Bank, when its distinguished 
and able financier, Louis Goddard, taught the directors 
and stockholders of that corporation how to create specie. 
Forty-one years since the day in llic early springtime wlien 



Louis, with all due complaisance and financial bearing, 
gathered uj) the new, crisp bills before the .signature of 
cashier and president were .scarcely dry, and graciously 
taking leave of officers and directors, quietly walked out 
of the little one-story, wooden bank-building with his 
twenty-five thousand dollars, one-fourth the nominal capital 
of the bank, into the streets of the embryo village, with its 
wooden stores, wooden hotels, and wooden residences, nodded 
benignantly to chance acquaintances on the street, and took, 
no doubt from the " Central Exchange," the old-fasiiioned 
stage for the West, for the generous purpose of creating 
specie for his friends and the Coldwater Bank. About 
forty years have passed away since then, and the Coldwater 
Bank and the Coldwater people, who once knew him so 
well, have known him no more forever. Longer than the 
Israelites wandered in the wilderness has he been away from 
his Coldwater home. He never returned or sent back any 
of the bills he took away, payment in whole or part for 
them on any of the precious specie he had created. Of 
course he was an honest fellow, and is no doubt now among 
some of the Western tribes, creating specie. His friend 
Ware, of Detroit, believed implicitly in the system of 
Goddard, and for the good of the corporation also took 
away twenty-five thousand dollars, of which five thousand 
was a loan, the twenty thousand to be used to create 
specie with. But ho took it some little time after the first 
depletion. It had depreciated in value, so that he restored 
seven thousand dollars he could not pass, converting seven- 
teen thousand dollars for his own use. Each of the Detroit 
stockholders made a loan of five thousand dollars the night 
of the day the bank opened. So did a Mr. Collins, of To- 
ledo. He also took two thousand dollars to exchange for 
specie, which was the next week restored to the bank for 
redemption in the original package, he having paid iiis own 
debt with it. George Nichols took enough with which to 
build a new house opposite the present Presbyterian church. 
Mr. Mandel, the teller, from Detroit, truly said, '' They 
broke the bank the first night." The president, Mr. L. D. 
Crippen, and his brother, IMiilo H. Crippen, struggled hard 
to keep the bank afloat, even beconiing persimally respon- 
sible to the amount of twenty thousand dollars, but without 
success. The bills were finally taken for twenty-five cents 
on the dollar, and in 1838 the bank failed entirely. Like 
all the wild-cat bank-bills of the day, they were never 
redeemed. 

Beside the Coldwater Bank there were three efforts to 
organize one in the village of Branch, the principal mover 
in the matter being Mr. Joel Burlingame, the father of 
Hon. Anson Burlingame. His financial project, however, 
never met with success. 

The financial highway traveled by our Michigan pio- 
neers, described in this paper, illustrates the weakness and 
dangers of the system described, and, as a contrast, brings 
out the strong points in the national banking system. To 
reach our present system, with its sound basis and stable 
currency, we have passed along a road which has been 
strewn with the ruins of corporations, business firms, and 
individuals. It is to be seriously lioped we shall not have 
to travel it again, and that by a more intelligent legisla- 
tion we can say that O.xcii.sticrua would be in error to say 



U-i 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of us, " My son, it takes very little wisdom to govern the 
world." 

The foregoing interesting and comprehensive history 
embraces copious extracts from a paper on early banking 
in Branch County, by Hon. C. D. Randall, the nianuseript 
of which he has kindly loaned us. 

THE COLDWATER NATIONAL BANK. 

The Coldwater National Bank was organized May oO, 
1805, by Henry C. Lewis, David B. Dennis, George Starr, 
Artemas Allen, Charles Upson, Charles B. Jones, Alonzo 
Waterman, Daniel Thompson, of Coldwater; David R. 
Cooley, of Union City ; and Cyrus G. Luce, of Gilead, — -a 
preliminary meeting for the purpose of subscribing to cap- 
ital stock having been held May 20, 1865. Seven directors 
were elected at the meeting held May 30, and the following 
oflBcers were elected, namely : Henry C. Lewis, President ; 
Daniel B. Dennis, Vice-President ; George Starr, Cashier ; 
and they still continue to act in their respective offices. 
The stock of the bank has changed hands frequently, but, 
singularly, the number of stockholders has always remained 
just twelve. This bank succeeded the Exchange Bank of 
Dennis & Starr, and was the outgrowth of the first bank- 
ing institution in Coldwater, the " wild-cat" Coldwater 
Bank having closed its doors in 1838, along with all 
others of that ilk in Michigan. Lorenzo D. Crippen and 
Clinton B. Fisk opened the first office, doing an exclusive 
banking and exchange business, under the name and style 
of the " Exchange Bank of Crippen & Fisk." They sus- 
pended payment in the fall of 1857, and were succeeded 
by Fisk & Lewis (Clinton B. Fisk and Henry C. Lewis) ; 
they by Lewis, Bidwell & Miles (Henry C. Lewis, Alonzo 
F. Bidwell, and Ines G. Miles) ; they by Lewis & Kellogg 
(Henry C. Lewis and George A. Kellogg) ; they by Lewis 
& Starr (Henry C. Lewis and George Starr) ; they by 
Clarke & Starr ( Edwin R. Clarke and George Starr) ; they 
by Dennis & Starr (Daniel B. Dennis and George Starr) ; 
they by the Coldwater National Bank. Mr. Starr, the 
cashier of the present bank, was with Crippen & Fisk as 
book-keeper, in 1856, and has continued with each suc- 
cessive firm or bank. 

Previous to the organization of national banks the cur- 
rency in use in this locality was issued by banks doing 
business under State laws. There were about sixteen hun- 
dred kinds of bills, and nearly as many more counterfeits 
raised and altered, every business man being supplied with 
" bank-note reporters," for ready reference. Few bills were 
taken without being critically examined and pa.ssed upon 
by a good judge as to their genuineness and soundness. 
Exchange on New York on such mixed money was sold at 
from one to three per cent, at a time. When the currency 
was nearly all from Illinois and Wisconsin, exchange went 
up to seven per cent. ; this Illinois and Wisconsin currency 
was based upon Southern State stocks, and became known 
as " Red Dog," so much red ink was used on them. The 
minimum rate for loans on business or accommodation 
paper was two per cent, per month ; from that rate up to 
five per cent, per month was taken to supply the demand 
and credit of the borrower influencing the rate. In 1836, 
Fisk posted upon his show-case, 



" Arch says of lafe 
He's r.aiaed the rate 
or this sort of .'^having," 

which brought the lowest rate on small loans up to three 
per cent, per month. " Arch" was Fisk's teller, — Arch. 
M. Gibson. 

Ciippen & Fisk su,spendod payment in 1857, at which 
time there was a panic and general crash all over the United 
Slates. But few banks went through without suspending 
specie payments. General resumption was brought about 
in a few months by popular demand and the inherent 
strength of the banks. The panic of 1857 was precipitated 
upon the county by the failure of the Ohio Life and Trust 
Company, doing business in New York, and proving un- 
sound. Ciippen &, Fisk settled with all their creditors 
in full, no loss having been .sustained by any dealer with 
them or any of their succes.sors. The first " fire- and bur- 
glar"-proof safe in this county was used by Crippen & 
Fisk, and is now in the judge of probate's office. Messrs. 
Lewis & Kellogg, considering better security against fire 
and thieves desirable, had a vault of brick and iron built 
in the banking-office, and purchased one of the be.st burglar 
safes then made, and placed it inside of the vault. The 
Coldwater National Bank wanting still further security, 
purchased in 1870 a small burglar safe, and placed it 
inside of the safe bought by Lewis & Kellogg. It being 
necessary to keep pace with the ingenuity of burglars and 
thieves, the Coldwater National Bank, in 1S76, had a new 
safe made with all the latest improvements, — a safe within 
a safe, both especially strong, of welded hard and soft steel. 
These safes are locked with a combination lock, having no 
key or key-hole; the outer safe has also a time lock, which 
has two of the best watch movements in it, and when set 
to lock and unlock at certain hours it does its work auto- 
matically, requiring only to be wound up once in forty- 
eight hours. This hick has also a " Sunday attachment," 
so that the safe is kept locked on that day. The cost of 
this time lock is four hundred dollars. The greater portion 
of the loans of the Coldwater National Bank are made out 
of the county, and some loans are made out of the State^ 
which indicates a surplus of capitalfor this locality. The 
banks have been of great benefit to this county in furnish- 
ing capital to move its stock, grain, and products, promot- 
ing and facilitating business generally. The present board 
of directors of the Coldwater National Bank are Henry C. 
Lewis, David B. Dennis, Chas. Upson, and Geo. Starr, of 
Coldwater; Wm. P. Hurd, of Union City; and Jonathan 
Holmes, of Bronson. The bank has a large surplus to 
meet contingent losses. 

TUE SOUTHER.V MICHIGAN NATIONAL BANK. 

This bank was organized in accordance with a special 
permit from the comptroller of the currency before, under 
the national system, banking was made free. The articles 
of association are dated the 27th day of November, A.D. 
1871, and are signed by Stephen S. Cutter, Caleb D. Ran- 
dall, Julius S. Barber, Cyrus G. Luce, Henry Safford, 
Lester E. Rose, Edwin R. Clarke, John 0. Pelton, David 
C. Powers, Luther F. Ilale, Charles A. Spaulding, Robert 
F. Mockridge, Simon B. Kitchel, Alonzo Waterman, 



HISTORY OF BllANCn COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



145 



TlioiiKis W. Dickinson, and llibbanl F. Junes. The cap- 
ital wa.s fi.xeil at $110,0110, with thy rij;lit to inirca.sc thu 
same to §2110,000. All the parties above naineJ were 
orij;inally stockholders in the bank, except Dr. S. S. Cutter, 
who signed for Robert lleade, Ks(|., of New York. The 
other original stockholders, for whom other persons signed 
the articles, were Daniel E. Dyer, of Dansville, N. Y. ; 

D. C. Smith, Shelbyville, 111.; J. Sterling Smith, New 
York City; Lois Smith, of Uethcl, Vt. , Olivia Safiord, of 
Coldwater ; Mary Rodman, of Cleveland ; Isaac Mains, 
Coldwater; Kraeline Barber, Coldwater; Thomas Smith, 
Coldwater; N. P. Loveridge, Coldwater; Orlando Wilder, 
Orland, Ind. 

inland II. Hubbard, comptroller of thu currency, under 
date of Jan. 16, 1872, issued his certificate, authorizing 
the association to commence business. 

The first board of directors consisted of Henry Safford, 

E. R. Clarke, J. S. Barber, C. D. Randall, L. F. Hale, 
D. C. Powers, and C. G. Luce. The first officers elected 
were C. D. Randall, President ; C. G. Luce, Vice-President ; 
Lester E. Rose, Cashier; and A. Sidney Upson, Teller and 
Book-keeper. - 

The bank opened for business in the banking-rooms in 
the Southern Michigan Hotel block, on the 19th day of 
February, 1872, and continued there until the new bank 
building erected by the a.ssociatioi), on the corner of Chi- 
cago and Monroe .streets, was completed, to which the 
business was removed in the fall of 1872. 

The officers of the bank continue the same, and so does 
the board of directors, except that on the resignati(m of 
of Rev. Henry SafFord, Mr. R. F. Mockridge was elected 
to the vacancy. 

On the 27th day of June, 1873, by a vote of the 
directors, the capital stock of the bank was increased 
$55,000, making the capital $165,000, There has been a 
surplus fund created, by additions each six months, to the 
amount of S18,000, making the capital and surplus 
8183,000. The capital is the largest of any in the State 
south of Detroit. The correspondents of the bank are, in 
New York, the Importers' and Traders' National Bank ; in 
Detroit, the Second National Bank and the American 
National Bank ; and in Chicago, the First National Bank. 

At this date the circulation of the bank is $99,000, and 
the loans and discounts, $178,756.15. The bank has 
$110,000 in bonds, to secure circulation, deposited with the 
United States treasurer. 

FAHMERS' MUTUAL INSURANCE COMI'ANV OF BRANCH 
COUNTY. 

The mutu il plan, as indicated by the title of this com- 
pany, is the foundation-stone of its organization, which was 
eflfected Jan. 21, 1863, no policies having been issued, 
however, until July of the same year. 

Its first officers were Philo Porter, President ; John S. 
Strong, Secretary; Directors, Asel Brown, Stuart Davis, 
Moses V. Calkins, George W. Van Akon, Edward W. 
Phettiplacc. The number who by insurance are consti- 
tuted members of the company are two thousand and sev- 
enty, and the amount of property at risk is $3,844,643. 

The officers are John Allen, President; J. C. Pierce, 
19 



Secretary; Directors, John II. Jones, Lawrence Rheabot- 
tom, L. D. Clark, James Ritchie, William M. Tyler. 

COLDWATER GAS-LIQHT COMPANY. 

This company was first formed in 1860, the stock having 
been divided among five shareholders, namely, A. W. 
Parkhurst, H. C. Lewis, I. G. Parkhurst. D. S. Harring- 
ton, and Artemus Allen. The capital stock at that time 
was 25,000 dollars, which was, in 1868, increased to 
$40,000. The company has seven miles of street-main 
pipe and 250 consumers. They have also a machine for 
cru.shing coke, for which there is a considerable demand 
in the city. The works were built in 1861, and are 
located on Chicago Street, with a well-appointed office 
facing the street. 

The present officers are I. G. Parkhurst, President ; 

A. J. Crippen, Secretary; D. B. Dennis, Treasurer ; Di- 
rectors, R. M. Reed, C. G. Johnson, N. P. Loveridge. 

TOE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF COLDWATER. 

The firet effiart to establish a fire department in Cold- 
water occurred in the year 1856, and in August of that 
year, after several preliminary meetings, the Excelsior Fire 
Compiniy, No. 1, was organized, with the following names 
on its early roll : J. T. Pratt, James Bame, Henry C. Fenn, 

B. M. Bordine, Frank Marsh, J. H. Edwards, R. F. Mock- 
ridge, A. M. Gibson, E. W. Markhara, W. R. Foster, L. 

C. Marsh, Albert Chandler, J. W. Gilbert, JL A. Crippen, 
J. R. Champion, J. S. Gibson, David Thompson, C. B. 
Fisk, D. W. Barns, C. Vanness, Jacob Smith. A com- 
mittee, consisting of C. B. Fisk, R. F. Mockridge, and J. 
H. Edwards, was chosen to draft a constitution and by- 
laws. Later the following officers were elected : C. B. 
Fisk, Foreman; H. C. Fenn, First Assistant; James 
Bame, Second Assistant ; R. F. Mockridge, Secretary ; 
E. W. Markham, Treasurer; Jacob E. Smith, Steward. 
We find, by the records, that from time to time now names 
were enrolled, until the ccjiapany became in numbers a 
powerful organization. 

The following uniform was, by unanimous vote, adopted : 
" Red jacket, with double-breasted blue collar ; sleeves 
turned over at the wristband and trimmed with blue; 
pleated on the back, with belt at the waist, a white star 
on each side of the collar and a figure one on the left 
breast." 

In October of the same year a hose company was formed, 
limited to twenty boys, as follows: Finch Skeels, N. R. 
Champion, B. J. Wood, Orland Noycs, C. C. Eggleson, 
Edward Beach, James Swails, Geo. Holbrook, B. S. Tib- 
bets, A. Burns, George Baker, Henry Peekham, James 
Raymond, Gay Bennett, R. G. Chandler, later additions 
having completed the requisite number. 

From the rather obscure minutes we gather that at the 
time the engine was purchased, the manufacturer, Mr. L. 
Button, having come with the machine, placed it in work- 
ing order and instructed the firemen regarding its workings. 

The records contain further mention of the various fires 
that occurred during a series of years, together with very 
complimentary allusio!is to the valorous deeds performed 
by the firemen on these occasions. 



146 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUxXTY, MICHIGAN. 



About the same date, or soon after the organization of 
the first engine-company, a hook-aiid-ladJer company was 
formed. The records of this company are not accessible 
but from all the facts at our disposal it appeare that J. G. 
Parkhurst was its fii-st foreman. Its members were all 
well-developed, robust men and represented a strong social 
element in the city, and on occasions of parade or on visits 
to neighboring cities their distinguished appearance was a 
matter of much gratification. 

During the summer of 1857 the department was invited 
to Hillsdale to participate in a grand firemen's parade, and 
the following year the s;ime courtesy was extended them 
by the citizens of South Bend, Ind. On the latter occa- 
sion, Hon. Schuyler Colfax delivered the address of wel- 
come. The event is especially memorable as one which 
reflected great credit upon the Coldwater firemen and 
elicited from their entertainers very warm expressions of 
admiration. 

The hook-and-ladder company boasted among its num- 
bers twenty men who weighed two hundred pounds each. 

In 1864 another company was organized, called the Un- 
dine, of which Pr. W. W. Whitten was foreman, and in 
connection with it the Hope Ilnse Conipitiiy No. 2. The 
engine belonging to this company was purchased at a cost 
of three thousand two hundred dollars, being regarded at the 
time as a fine piece of mechanism, and the hose-carriage was 
especially elegant in its appointments. This company was 
finally disbanded, and the engine disposed of at a greatly 
reduced price. 

In 1866 we find in the records the following: 

*' TK/icrca*, the Five Deparlment of Coldwater has kept pace with the 
growth of the city, till it dow numbers two fire-engine companies and 
t-^o hose companies, And, whereas, the experience of firemen in 
various cities of the Union has demonstrated the utility of their form- 
ing organizations known as "Fire Associations :"' Be it resolved, that 
a committee of two be appointe<.l from each company to consider the pro- 
priety of forming * The Fire Association of the City of Coldwater,' for 
the purpose of maintaining that perfect harmony which has so happily 
existed in the department from its earliest organization, and to secure 
to all men that may be injured in the line of their duty as firemen, 
that every care and attention so requisite in the day of misfortune." 

In July, 1872, a total change occurred in the organiza- 
tion of the department. The Undine Company having, as 
before stated, disbanded, a new steam-engine of the cele- 
brated Silsbee & Co.'s manufacture was purchased, and 
christened "The City of Coldwater," and the Excelsior 
Company lapsed into a new organization called " The City of 
Coldwater Steam Fire-Engine Company." The department 
under this reconstruction has proved its efiiciency, and is 
justly a source of pride to the city fathers. The chief en- 
gineers have been successively R. F. Mockridge, E. W. 
Markham, M. M. Mansfield, I. P. Alger, William R. Foster, 
and the present incumbent, H. J. Drake. Its present officers 
beside the chief engineer are R. A. Htill, First Assistant 
Chief Engineer ; F. SchaeflFer, Second Assistant Chief 
Engineer; L. A. Dillingham, Foreman; C. H. Wharton, 
Assistant Foreman ; Charles Lamb, Secretary ; Louis Slo- 
man. Treasurer; George Wendell, Chief of Hose; C. S. 
Ball, Pipemau ; George Hathaway, Engineer of Steamer ; 
L. L. Johnson, W. G. Moore, George Wendell, Trustees. 



MANUFACTURES. 
AMERICAN CIGAR COMPANY. 

Among the mcst extensive and profitable branches of 
industry in the city is the manufacture of cigars. The 
oldest of these establishments is the American Cigar 
Company, which was organized in January, 1873, with a 
capital of thirty thousand dollars. Its officers are L. M. 
Wing, President ; George Starr, Vice-President and Trea.s- 
urer. It employs from forty to sixty men and women, and 
supplies principally the markets of Michigan, Indiana, and 
Ohio with its products. In 1878 one million six hundred 
thousand cigars were manufactured, and sixteen thousand 
dollars paid for labor during the year. The leading 
brand of cigars is the "American," and the company are 
also wholesale dealers in fine-cut, smoking, and leaf tobacco. 

B. S. TIBBITS' CIGAR MANUFACTORY. 

This establishment was organized Oct. 20, 1874, by B. 
S. Tibbits, who was, previous to that time, secretary of the 
American Cigar Company of Coldwater. It is located on 
Chicago Street, and occupies a building three stories high 
and eighty-four feet deep, and employs on an average 
seventy men and women, who are engaged in the manufac- 
ture of cigars. The business when first organized em- 
ployed but four persons in its manufacturing department, 
but since that time has increased so steadily and rapidly 
that the above force is required to fill its orders. 

In 1878 the number of cigars made was one million 
nine hundred thousand, and the present year it is expected 
to reach three millions. It ranks, in capacity, fourth in the 
State in this branch of industry. 

O'SUAUGUNESSY & CO. 
This firm are located at 92 Chicago Street, and estab- 
lished their business in 1876. They employ in the manu- 
facture of cigars fifteen men, and produce during the year 
about four hundred and twenty-five thousand. They con- 
fine themselves exclusively to the manufacture of cigars, 
and find a market for them in Michigan and Indiana. 

F. A. FAIRB.\NKS. 

The establishment of F. A. Fairbanks is located on 
Blonroe Street, and produces cut tobacco and cigars. It 
was started in 1877, and its present proprietor succeeded 
the following year. They make annually three hundred 
thousand cigars, beside finding sale for much cut tobacco. 

CIGAR BOX M.\NUF.\CTURER.S. 

II. D. Robinson, & Son. — The extensive manufacture of 
cigars in Coldwater creates a new branch of industry by 
the demand for cigar boxes which, of necessity, follows. 

Among the largest of these establishments is that of 
H. D. Robinson & Son, who succeeded to the business of 
Atkins, Gilbert & Co., which was begun in the year 1870, 
Mr. Robinson being the company. They manufitcture 
cigar boxes exclusively, and employ in their business six- 
teen hands. 

Their present capacity is about two hundred thousand, 
the home-trade being the principal consumers. 

The building and steam-power used are both owned by 
he firm. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



147 



Chandler & Wood. — This firm employs twelve men and 
women in the munufactnro of cigar hoxes. The firm has 
been e.st;iblished but a short time, but has already built up 
a large trade, which is rapidly increasing. They manufac- 
ture two hundred thousand annually, and find a market in 
Coldwater and other parts of the State, as well as iu In- 
diana. 

FLOURINO- AND aiUST-MILLS. 

William A. Coombs' Mills. — The history of these mills 
dates, back to the organization of the village, in 1837, in 
which year they were built by a stock company, consi-sting 
of Francis Smith, Thomas Dougherty, and Dr. William B. 
Sprague, the location being at the west end of Pearl Street, 
in what is now known as the Fourth Ward. In 1838 they 
were sold to John I. Curtis and 0. B. Clark, Jr., who re- 
mained proprietors until 1841, when they passed into the 
hands of L. D. & P. H. Crippen. In 1844, P. II. Crip- 
pen disposed of his interest, and the firm became Crippen 
& Dougherty, after which L. D. Crippen became .sole owner. 
He conducted the mills for a period of years, during which 
time, in 1858, they were destroyed by fire, but were rebuilt ■ 
the following year by the owner. James B. Crippen suc- 
ceeded as proprietor and sold to E. R. Clark, who owned 
them until 1869, when they passed into the hands of the 
present owner, William A. Coombs. They have at present 
throe run of stone, but the proprietor intends adding another 
and making other improvements during the following year. 
They iiave both water- and steam-power, and produce flour 
and feed. 

Coldwater Star Mills. — These mills are owned by David 
Harris, and were formerly known as the Oil-Mills, having 
been built in 1866. They occupy a commodious building, 
sixty feet square and three stories high with basement, and 
have three run of stone. 

THE COLDWATER LIGHT GUARD. 

The Coldwater Light Guard was organized August, 1871, 
and was mustered into the State service on the 11th day 
of November following, by Adjt.-Gen. John Robertson, 
with forty-one members. The commissioned oflficers were : 
Captain, George H. Turner ; First Lieutenant, Abe E. 
Stowell; Second Lieutenant, C. H. De Clute. In January 
(1872) the company was supplied with the Springfield 
breech-loading rifles and accoutrements by the State, and 
at once entered upon a course of instruction. 

April 9, 1872, it was ordered to Detroit, to take part in 
the ceremonies of the unveiling of the soldiers' and sailors' 
monument in that city. This was the company's first ap- 
pearance in public, notwithstanding which fact they won 
niuch credit for their soldierly bearing and gentlemanly de- 
portment. On the 4th of July of the same year, the 
Light Guard, on behalf of the citizens of Coldwater, ex- 
tended an invitation to the various companies of the State 
to be present and take part in a grand military tournament 
to be held in Coldwater on that day. Several companies 
were present, and among them the Adrian Light Guard, 
who were awarded a beautiful silk banner, offincd by the 
citizens to the best drilled visiting company. 

During the following year the company made rapid pro- 
gress in drill, especially iu the manual of arms. 



In June, 1873, First Lieut. Stowell and Second Lieut. 
De Clute resigned their commi.ssions, and Clarence L. 
Hunter was elected as first and Edward R. Root as second 
lieutenants, to fill the vacancies. 

The 4th of July, 1873, was spent by tlic company in 
Union City, as the guests of the citizens of that place. 

In the early summer of 1873, the State Agricultural 
Society offered a premium of two hundred dollars to the 
best-drilled military company in the State, to be competed 
for at the State fair to be held in Grand Rapids the follow- 
ing September. The Coldwater Light Guard was accord- 
ingly entered for the contest, and set to work in earnest 
preparation for the event. On the 15th day of September 
they started for the scene of action, but with little real 
hope of success. They were hooted at as they passed 
through the streets in their cheap uniforms beside the 
elegantly-dres,sed companies from Adrian, Kalamazoo, and 
other places. But fine uniforms did not win, as was very 
soon ascertained when the Coldwater company commenced 
to drill, and the first premium was awarded them at the 
close of the contest, to the utter astonishment of every 
one. On the 3d day of October, 1873, tlie company was 
present and took part in the ceremonies of laying the corner- 
stone of the new State capitol at Lansing. 

In the spring of 1874, the companies in the State ser- 
vice having increased from seven (at the time the Coldwater 
Light Guard was mustered in) to twenty, the military 
authorities determined to organize them into regiments, 
which was accordingly done, and the Coldwater Light 
Guard was a.ssigned to the 2d Regiment, " Michigan State 
Troops," and designated as " Company A'' of that regi- 
ment. In the regimental formation, Capt. George H. 
Turner was selected for the majorship of the 2d Regiment, 
whereupon First Lieut. Hunter was promoted to the ofiice 
of captain. Second Lieut. Root to the first lieutenantcy, 
and Ord. Sergt. Franklin Eaton to be second lieutenant. 
Under these officers the company made rapid progress in 
military tactics, attaining great proficiency in the manual 
of arms, and was acknowledged to be the best-drilled com- 
pany in the State of Michigan. Wherever it went it was 
always the recipients of the highest praise for their excel- 
lent drilling and soldierly discipline. At this time the 
company was about seventy strong, rank and file. 

During the summer of this year (1874) the Light Guard 
received the new uniforms which had been adopted by the 
State Military Board for the State troops, and which added 
greatly to their appearance. 

The Light Guard decided to again compete for the pre- 
mium of two hundred dollars off'ered by the State Agricul- 
tural Society to military companies at the State fair, in 
East Saginaw, in September, and during the summer were 
in active training, in which they were greatly encouraged 
by the lively interest manifested by the citizens of Cold- 
water, who seemed as anxious for their success as were the 
soldiers themselves, generously contributing the entire fund 
for the payment of their expenses to and from East Saginaw. 

The day of their d-^parture, September 15, was one 
that will ever be remembered by each member of the com- 
mand as one of the most agreeable in its history. Shortly 
bel'ore the hour for departure the company was marched to 



148 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the elegant residence of Mr. F. V. Smith, where a splendid 
collation was spread upon his spacious grounds by Cold- 
water's fairest daughters, who were present in full force 
to administer to the wants of the '' inner man." The day 
was beautiful in the extreme, and with the bright faces 
and gay attire of the ladies, the glittering arms and uniforms 
of the soldiers, enlivened by the excellent music of the 
celebrated Constantine Band, which accompanied the guard 
upon their trip, a scene of brightness and gayety was pre- 
sented that is rarely equaled. As soon as the refresh- 
ments had been partaken of, Mrs. Josephine Hunter, wife 
of Capt. Hunter, stepped forward, and in behalf the wives, 
sisters, and sweethearts of the Coldwater Light Guard, 
presented to the company a magnificent stand of colors, 
wrought by their own hand. The beautiful gift was ac- 
cepted by Capt. Hunter, in behalf of the company, in a 
very appropriate speech. The colors and the fair donors 
were saluted by the guard with three rousing cheers, the 
band playing " Tiie Star-Spangled Banner." The company 
then marched to the depot, where a large concourse of peo- 
ple had assembled to witness their departure, and took the 
train for East Saginaw, where they arrived late that night. 

The following day the five companies present to compete 
for the premiums were inarched to the Fair Grounds, and 
the contest began at two o'clock p.m., the drilling being 
confined to company movements and the manual of arms. 
All the companies exhibited exceptionally good drilling, 
and were heartily cheered. When the Coldwater Light 
Guard took the field they were greeted with rounds of ap- 
plause by the thousands of spectators. 

Throughout their entire drill they exhibited their thor- 
ough training by the promptness and precision with which 
every movement was executed, their splendid manual of 
arms calling forth especial praise. At the close of the con- 
test the companies were marched to the front of the judge's 
stand, and it was soon announced that the first premium 
had been awarded to the Coldwater Ligiit Guard. The 
good news was immediately telegraphed to Coldwater, and 
the next morning (17th) the victors were en I'oute for 
home, where they arrived at two o'clock p.m., and were 
greeted by a salute from one section of the famous Loomis 
Battery, and met by the mayor and common council, and 
a vast concourse of citizens, and escorted to their armory, 
where they were welcomed home in a very congratulatory 
speech by Mayor Champion. The following December the 
company headquarters were removed from Noyes' Hall, 
which they had occupied from the time of their muster, to 
Seely's Hall, which was the company's armory until De- 
cember, 1877. 

At the annual election of oiEcers in January, 1875, the 
commissioned officers were all re-elected. Little of interest 
occurred during the year 1875. The regular weekly drills 
were maintained throughout the year, and target practice 
instituted, in which the company were regularly exercised, 
and acquired considerable skill. The only trip made by 
the company this year was to Quincy and Hillsdale, the 
3d and 5th of July, receiving at each place a purse of fifty 
dollars. 

In January, 1S7G, the Guard again re-eh'Cted their able 
commissioned officers. It was the desire of the members 



and their friends that the company should visit the Centen- 
nial during the summer, but the great expense attending 
such a trip precluded their going. 

The Ith of July, 1876, the Light Guard visited Detroit, 
and took part in the grand celebration in that city, being 
the guests of the Detroit Light Guard. 

The forepart of August the company was ordered into 
camp, with the rest of the 2d Regiment, at Reed's Lake, 
near the city of Grand Rapids, where they were six days 
undergoing the most rigid military training under that 
thorough soldier, Col. I. C. Smith. This was the com- 
pany's first experience in camp life, but notwithstanding 
the hard work, the long battalion drills in the hot sun, and 
the severe discipline, they returned the better for it, and 
there is not a member of Company A who does not recall 
many pleasant remembrances of Camp Custer in '76. 

The 6th of September the Guard gave a grand centennial 
excursion to Put-in-Bay, Lake Erie, which was very suc- 
cessful, netting them nearlj* four hundred dollars. 

In January, 1877, the faithful and efficient officers, Capt. 
Hunter and Lieuts. Root and Eaton, relinquished their 
respective positions to other hands, after filling them with 
honor and credit to the State, to the company, and to them- 
selves for nearly four years, and were succeeded by Charles 
N. Legg, as captain ; Frank J. Dart, as first, and Lilburn 
P. Palmer, as second lieutenants. This election was pro- 
bably the most exciting one in the whole history of the 
company. The ballotting continued until after midnight, 
and resulted in the election of the above-named commis- 
sioned officers. R. M. Amidon, who had served one terra 
in the volunteer service during the war, and had been for 
five years a non-commissioned officer in the regular army, 
was elected orderly sergeant. Drills continued regularly 
during the spring and early summer, and a lively interest 
was maintained among the members of the company. 

In July came the Pittsburgh riot and the general strike 
of railroad men throughout the country. The expectation 
of being ordered into encampment had been abandoned, but 
on the night of July 24, Capt. Legg received the following 
telegram : 

" Detroit, July 24, 18?7, 6.30 p.m. 

'* Your company will start to-morrow morning for the annual en- 
campment." The quartermaster-general will give you authority to 
make contract fur transportation. Bring blankets. Acknowledge 
receipt of this at once. 

" Cy order of the commander-in-chief. 

" JonX RoBERTSO.N, 

*^AdJnt(nit'Gcu.** 

Capt. Legg telegraphed the following reply : 

"Order just received. Will start early. 

" C. N. Legg, 
"Captain Co. A, 2d Regiment," 

Messengers were immediately dispatched to order out the 
men, and instruct them to report at the armory at eight 
o'clock the following day. Early on the morning of July 
25, the company was duly assembled, when it was found 
that every member of the command then in the county was 
present and ready for duty. Two members only were ne- 
cessarily excused ; one of them had been wounded in the 
hand a few days before by the accidental discharge of a 
pistol, the other was suffering from a severe attack of rheu- 



HISTORY OF BllANCII COUNTS, MICHIGAN. 



149 



nuitism. Bcitli, liowever, urged to be allowed to accompany 
the com maud in any capacity in wliidi llicy could be of service. 
It bad become generally known that the company had 
been ordered to Grand Kapids, and soon rnmors of riots 
and blood.shed along tlie route and at the point of <lestinu- 
tioii filled the city. Wiien the eomnuind readied tiie depot, 
escorted by the City Band, a large concourse of citizens and 
friends had gathered to witness their departure. Wlien the 
time for leaving arrived, there were many lingering good- 
byes to anxious motiiers and friends, whose fears had been 
raised by these floating rumors. Soon the train sped away 
and proceeded on its journey without let or hinderance. 
The mobs disappeared as by magic in advance of the Hying 
train. While I'igeon, which rumor had tilled with blood- 
thirsty strikers, and through whicli it was prophesied the 
company would have to fight its way, was found almost as 
quiet as upon a Sabbath morning, and tlie train took up its 
northward journey calmly and peacefully. Nothing opposed 
its onward course, and about half-pa>-t seven P.M., the com- 
pany reached Grand Kapids, and marched to Sweet's Hotel 
for supper. After supper the command took up its march 
for the camp in column of fours, with flag flying and drums 
beating. A crowd of workmen from the factories, and boys 
from the streets, and loungers from the saloons, soon filled 
the sidewalks and street, and commenced an infernal hoot- 
ing. Cries of '■ You don't dare shoot! " and much threaten- 
ing and abuse were indulged in, but onward moved the 
company with regular step and quiet mien. They reached 
the ears prepared to carry them to the camp-ground. Arrived 
there, they found six companies of the 2d Regiment already 
in camp, and by the following morning all the companies 
had reported. The following four days were passed peace- 
fully in company and regimental drill, parades, and the usual 
duties of camplifc, and on the oOth the company returned 
to its armory with a feeling of satisfaction in having per- 
formed its mission honorably. 

In November of this year a civil organization known as 
the Coldwater Light Guard Company was duly incorporated 
with the following officers : President, Frank D. Newbury ; 
Vice-President, Chas. N. Legg ; Secretary, Alonzo Thomp- 
son. They at once purchased the vestry of the Episcopal 
Church their property on Hanchett Street, and fitted it up 
for an armory. Fifteen hundred dollars was the price paid 
for the property, and it was soon decided to make an addi- 
tion for a stage at the rear of the building, and fit it up 
with scenery and properties for a i)ublic hall. The com- 
pany issued its bonds, which were readily negotiated, for 
the sum of five hundred dollars, and went forward with its 
improvements. In February, 1878, Armory Hall was 
opened to the public, and since that time has been the 
popular hall of the city for theatrical entertainments, con- 
certs, lectures, etc. It has a seating capacity of about five 
hundred, and is fairly supplied with scenery and stage 
properties. Other improvements are contemplated, and the 
company is justly proud of its success in securing an armory 
of its own and at the .same time aflfurding a good hall for 
the accommodation of citizens. 

In January, Frank D. Newbury was elected captain, and 
Charles N. Legg and Alonzo Tliomjison lieutenants. The 
year was only fairly prosperous. Quite a number of the 



older members were lost by expiration of term of enlistment, 
and the incentive to work afforded by the prospect of the 
annual encampment disappeared, as it was known that the 
military fund had been exhausted the previous year, and 
that the company would not be called out as usual. Mis- 
fortune also attended the annual excursion, which had here- 
tofore been highly successful and brought considerable 
funds into the hands of the company. The day preceding 
was rainy and forbidding, and when the train moved away 
in the morning it was still pouring in torrents. The com- 
pany lost about forty dollars in the undertaking. In 
November the company again rallied. New members were 
eidisted, — among them one or two veterans of the organiza- 
tion, — and the spirit and enthusiasm once more revived. 
The squad and company drills were well attended. The 
prospect of annual encampment, and a feeling that their 
work in the past and usefulness to the State were beginning 
to be better appreciated by the people and the Legislature, 
led the members to take new interest in their duties and 
labors. In September Sharp's rifles were substituted for 
the Springfield army rifle, and gave general satisfaction to 
the company. At the annual election, Jan. 13, 187H, 
Frank D. Newbury was re-elected captain by the unani- 
mous voice of the company, and Frank J. Dart and Wm. M. 
Mix were elected first and .second lieutenants, respectively. 

Thus far, in 1879, the company drills have been better 
attended than at any former period in the company's his- 
tory, and the outlook for the future of the Coldwater Light 
Guard is extremely promising. 

SKETCU OF THE TURF AND FIELD. 

A traveler through Branch County, even if bis mind is 
fully occupied with mercantile pursuits, cannot fail to ob- 
serve that the breeding, development, and sale of fine horses 
is a very prominent interest, and that the most successful 
farmers, such as Hon. Geo. W. Van Aken, John Allen, 
Esq., and many others of that class, have, for the past 
quarter of a century, followed the good advice contained in 
the old couplet : 

*' Let this be still the farmer's creed, 
Of stuck seek out the choicest breed." 

The profitable results of their experience stimulated and 
encouraged smaller farmers to follow their example, hence 
the business grew rapidly in extent anj importance until 
the present day, when we find it has become a leading in- 
dustry, which materially adds to the resources of this pros- 
perous county. 

In some communities there is a class of persons who are 
disposed to underrate the value and character of horse-rais- 
ing; but no such class exists in Branch, nor could a stranger, 
representing the views of those persons, receive a patient 
hearing within its precincts. Daily transactions of stock 
changing hands at remunerative prices — generally from 
two hundred to two thousand dollars per head — have 
thoroughly convinced rich and poor here that this in- 
terest exerts a highly beneficial influence on the trade and 
manufactures of the city of Coldwater and county at large. 
Everybody appears to take a deep interest and feel a just 
pride in the superior class of horses of which this county 
can boast. The farming class alone are not permitted to 



150 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



monopolize the business ; " all ranks and conditions of 
men," from the wealthy banker down to the humble 
artisan, engage, more or less extensively, in the enterprise, 
each one vieing with the other in raising a high-priced ani- 
mal, and nearly all report a profitable experience. It is 
true, that it takes many generations in the equine, as well 
as the human family, to breed high qualities; but the 
hereditary principle in this, as in other things, can safely 
be relied upon. The production of a superior horse for 
speed, pleasure-driving, or business, is no longer a hap- 
hazard undertaking, but can be brougiit about with a rea- 
sonable degree of certainty, by the judicious mingling of 
the blood of the best families of horses, most of which 
have valuable representatives in Branch County. 

This county is to Michigan what Orange County is to 
New York State, — a grand nursery for the finest strains of 
blue blood in horse heraldry. Scattered all over the Union, 
and even in the neighboring dominion of Canada, may be 
found, for stock improvement, for road and racing purposes, 
horses of great excellence claiming Branch County as their 
birthplace. 

Coldwater and other towns of Branch are widely known 
as horse-marts for enterprising purchasers from the large 
cities, East and West, and the names of its representative 
horsemen, A. C. Fisk, E. C. Walker, F. L. Skeels, and 
others, are familiar at home and abroad. This county also 
contributes, directly and indirectly, more fust trotting horses 
to the regular racing-meetings than any other county that 
we know of, in Michigan or the adjoining States. The re- 
sult of the enviable position occupied by the county in re- 
gard to stock-raising is to bring in a large amount of money 
from other places, and all classes reap a benefit from this in- 
dustry, which adds so largely to the county's wealth. To 
give an idea, we may mention that one breed of horses alone 
lias produced stock which has yielded one hundred thousand 
dollars and upwards. 

The foregoing truths are self-evident to those who have 
looked into the matter, but may recjuire confirmation by 
those who have not. We will therefore take a cursory 
view of the progress of the industry. 

A thorough history would demand an amount of space 
and research requiring a special work to do it justice. It 
is not within the scope of this article to trace the business 
" from pillar to foundation-stone," or enter into a discussion 
of the breeding problem. We leave that duty to the special 
writers and inquirers after knowledge bearing on the subject. 
We must content ourselves with a brief outline of the rise 
and progress of the horse interest in the county through 
the principal importations, and record some of the more 
important events. Our field of choice will have to be 
limited to brief mention of stock horses whose names are 
" as familiar as household words." In art it is said the 
best things are necessarily few, but on investigating the 
horse question in Branch County we find that this rule 
will not apply. This county has a galaxy of great horses, 
most of them of national fame, and each having had some 
special merit to commend him, so that public opinion gives 
no particular animal an unequaled altitude in the mountain 
chain of greatness. There may be mountain peaks loom- 
ing up whose names are Vermont Hero, Magna Charta, 



Mambrino Chief, Tom Hunter, and Hambletouian Star, 
but oven these do not cast a deep shadow upon many others, 
among them Green Mountain Black Hawk, Moscow, Bel- 
mont, Independence, and the Fearnaughts. 

The sources of information regarding the early horse 
history of the county are, unfortunately, scant, consisting 
for the most part of the unwritten memories of old inhab- 
itants. From them we learn that the horses of " ye olden 
time" whose names are still current and popular, were fine 
specimens of Morgan blood, which family formed the 
ground-work of the county's horse structure. 

Green Mountain Black Hawk, first in point of excel- 
lence, was imported in the year 1851, by A. C. Fisk, from 
Bridport, Vt., the home of the Black Hawks. This horse's 
sire was Sherman's Black Hawk (the North horse), dam 
by Gilford Slorgan. lie was a golden chestnut, with record 
of 2.39, and was sold for seven thousand dollars to E. 
Dorsey and J. Burk, of Jefferson Co., Ky., where he died. 
The late Wm. Conant accompanied him to Kentucky. 

Vermont Hero was nest in order of importation, having 
been brought to Coldwater in the fall of 1852 from Brid- 
port, Vt., where he was bred by B. Myrick. His sire was 
also Sherman's Black Hawk, and his dam by Harris Ham- 
bletonian. He was a substantially-built black horse, and 
was owned while here by Messrs. Fisk and 0. B. Clark. 
They sold him for two thousand dollars, and he was sub- 
sequently owned in Kalamazoo. His record was 2.37. 
This horse was the sire of the famous Gen. Knox, sold for 
ten thousand dollars when sixteen years old. 

Othello or Black Prince was bought by A. C. Fisk, of 
Ryder & Myrick, Bridport, Vt., and arrived at Coldwater 
in the spring of 1853. His sire was the celebrated Hill's 
Black Hawk (sire of Ethan Allen — 2.15 with running 
mate — and hosts of other famous horses), dam by Young 
Hambletouian. Black Prince stood fifteen and a half hands 
high, and was a spirited, fine-looking animal, with a record 
of 2.39. 

Moscow or Defiance, Jr., comes next in order of im- 
portance according to date of importation, which was 1855. 
His sire was called Defiance, bred in Canada from English 
thoroughbred stock. Moscow's dam was also the dam of 
old Lady Moscow, record 2.32. Moscow was a dapper 
little bay horse, remarkable for great longevity. He was 
humanely killed at Centreville, Blich., lohen forty-two 
years old. He was the sire of Frank Moscow, and grand- 
sire of McLane's Lady Moscow. 

In addition to the above-mentioned famous stock horses 
of an early day, the following importations, brought down 
to the year 1860, probably require a chronicler to refresh 
the memory of those in whose day they lived and flourished. 

Sherman Morgan, Jr., by old Sherman Morgan, was a 
stylish black horse, brought to Coldwater by Elliott Crip- 
pen, and remained here two years, when he was returned 
to his home in Vermont. 

The horse Young Trustee and the filly Highflyer were 
both by the famous English race-horse imported Trustee. 
They were also brought to Coldwater by Mr. Crippen, who 
purchased them from their breeder, Col. L. G. Morris, 
Mount Fordham, N. Y. 

B utter wort h' s Black Hawk was a small black horse, 








RESIDENCE JT A.C 




'K, COLDWATER.MlCH, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



151 



bred in Vermont, and owned by Capt. Butterwortli. He 
lost bis life by tbe burning of a stable in Coldwater a year 
after bis arrival bere. 

Morgan BUicU llmck was brou^lit to Coldwator in tbe 
sprinj; of 1854. He was by Hill's Black Hawk; dam, a 
Canadian mare. He remained bere one season only, and 
was sold to parties from Cbicago, 111. 

WiiiJie/</, Lacy, and Sir Aichy, Jr., were all tliorou^b- 
bred boi-ses, from pure bred Kentucky families of running 
stock. Tbey were not kept long in Coldwator. 

Returning to borses of national fame brings us first in 
ortlcr to Miignii Cltartu, a marvelous little bay borse, of 
beautiful form, admirable .style and way of traveling. He 
is of Jlorgan descent, dam's breeding nnknoicu. He was 
bougbt wben four years old by H. C. Lewis, S. M. Seely, 
and two otber Coldwater gentlemen for six tbousand five 
bundred dollars in tbe year 185'J, and after pa.ssing tbrough 
the hands of Chicago and Detroit parties finally returned 
to Branch County to " lay his bones. " He is still living in 
Girard, Branch Co., and has been eminently successful in 
building up this county's horse reputation. 

liclmout, by Irish Hunter, was nest in order of importa- 
tion. He was brought from Boston, Mass., in 1864, where 
he got a record close to 2.30. He was purchased in Cold- 
water by A. C. Fisk, who had just imported Mambrino 
Chief as a two-year old from Kentucky, and Mambrino soon 
divided the honors of Mr. Fisk's stable with Belmont, until 
finally the latter was sold to parties near Detroit, Mich. He 
was a solid-built gray borse, of much courage and endurance. 

The importation of Mumbrino Chief, in 18G4, marked 
an epoch in progressive stock-raising in Branch County. 
He was got by Clay's Mambrino Chief, sire of Lady Thorne 
(2.181), and his dam was almost thoroughbred. Mambrino 
has been at Coldwater ever since 18(54, save three years in 
Boston, Mass , and was brought back from there in 1874. 
He can be seen almost any day on the streets of Coldwater. 
He is a large, rangy, dark-bay horse, remarkable for good 
breeding and great endurance. He was sold for $12,000, 
which has given him considerable prominence, and be has 
contributed largely to the advancement of the county's 
reputation. 

After Mr. Fisk sold Mambrino Chief be bought throe 
other valuable sires, viz., Lexington Chief and Mambrino 
Patchen, Jr., in 1870, and Hambletonian Star tbe following 
winter. 

As Lexington Chief cama earliest, we shall mention him 
first. He was brought from Kentucky. His sire, Ken- 
tucky Clay ; bis dam. Lady Warfield. He is a very well- 
bred horse, and shows it in his appearance ; a blood-red bay 
of medium size, and is still owned by Mr. Fisk. 

Mamhriuo Falc/ieii, Jr., next demands attention. He 
was bred by Dr. Ilerr, Lexington, Ky. ; sire, Mambrino 
Patchen ; dam, Kentucky Maid. This horse is a large, well- 
formed animal ; dark bay. Is at present at Angola, Ind., 
but remains the property of Mr. Fisk. 

Ilnmblelonian Star is tbe next in point of time. He is 
well known thorougbout Michigan. We regret that want 
of .space forbids full description. He was bred in Orange 
County, N. Y., and his sire was Rysdyk Hambletonian ; 
dam, Lady Irwin. His color is light bay, two white stock- 



ings behind and star in forehead. He is a very large, well- 
formed horse, and well bred. 

Jii'lepeiidoice deserves the next place in our sketches. 
He was bred at New York Mills, Oneida Co., N. Y., and 
comes from Abdallab stock, both bis sire and dam tracing 
to old Abdallab. He is a very dark bay, about fifteen and 
three-quartfr hands high, closely made and muscu'ar horse. 
Grill/ Fcanimight was the next valuable importation. 
He was brought here in the fall of 1874, by E C. Walker & 
Co., proprietors of tbe Mambrino Fearnaught stables. Cold- 
water, and remained here throe years, when he was recalled 
to his old home East. He was a dapple-gray horse of fine 
size and breeding, proud carriage. His sire was the famous 
Fearnaught ; dam's pedigree unknown. She was a gray 
mare ; now owned in Trenton, N. J. 

Pathfiiuler was a very stylish horse, brought to Union 
City from New York State, and after remaining at Union 
about two years was sent back to New York State. He was 
a fine-looking dark-brown horse, of the average size. We 
do not know the name of his sire, but understand the Path- 
finders trace to Hill's Black Hawk. 

HamlAiloiiian Hunter was kept at Union City for a time. 
He is by Rysdyk's Hambletonian, dam's pedigree not traced. 
Color bay, and well proportioned ; rather steep quarters, and 
back inclined to roach. He is now owned in Marshall. 
Mich. 

Beach's St. Laiprence, although not an importation, is 
worthy of particular mention. He was bred by tbe late Dr. 
Beach. This horse was a strongly-made animal, of great 
nerve and power ; color, blood bay ; sire, old St. Lawrence. 
He was sold to parties in a remote part of this State, and 
finally drifted back to Coldwater, where he died " with his 
harness on," in the year 1877. 

Marsliall. Chief, or tbe Gooilrich Jlurse, was also owned 
in bis latter years in this county, and died near Union City 
in 1878. He was a small dark-chestnut horse, a type of 
the old-time Morgan, and was a grandson of Hill's Black 
Hawk. 

Sparkle, commonly known as Charles, was by Tippo. He 
was a large bay borse, with bald face ; was quite a good step- 
per, and sold by L. Darrow to parties in Rochester, N. Y. 
Tbe thorough-bred blood calls for .special mention. True, 
this county does not raise stock for the running turf, but 
some race-horses from the best families have been imported 
into it as a refining influence on tbe trotting and road stock. 
Caledonia and Surprise were both by the great sire of 
race-borses imp. " Bonnie Scotland," and their dams were 
strictly thorough-bred. They were owned at Bronson, Mich. 
Eriii-go-Bragh, also thorough-bred, was owned tbei-e. 
Liverpool, another thorough-bred, .son of Bonnie Scot- 
laud, is kept at MattLson, in this county. 

Riifc Hunt, a finely-formed bay horse, is purely thorough- 
bred, bis sire being Lightning, he by tbe great Lexington. 
His dam Nora Creina, by imp. Mahomet. He is owned by 
Messrs. E. C. Walker & Co., Coldwater. 

Returning to sires of general utility wc find three more 
which merit favorable mention, borses of intrinsic merit and 
valuable to the county. 

First is Tom Ilnnter, formerly called Blue Jay, bred in 
Indiana, got by Secor's Black Hawk. Dam's pedigree not 



\ 



152 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



traced. This horse was large and shapely, color gray. He 
had quite a reputation iu Southern Michigan and Northern 
Indiana ; was owned by A. T. Short, of Coldwater, and died 
here iu August, 1878; his body occupies a stall of clay 
near the track of the Coldwater Driving Park. 

MarJ:er was bought by F. L. Skeels & Co., of Alden 
Goldsmith, Orange Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1874. He is 
a blood-bay; stands sixteen hands high; a rangy hor.so, with 
plenty of substance. His sire is Volunteer, he by Rysdyk's 
Hanibletonian. His dam. Misfortune, by Plow-Boy, son of 
Long Island Black Hawk. 

Royal Fearnaught is last, but not least, of the fine horses 
of this county. He was imported by E. C. Walker & Co., 
of Coldwater, from Boston, Mass., in the fall of 1875, and 
broken to harness in 1876. He is a golden chestnut, stands 
sixteen hands high, and weighs eleven hundred pounds, — 
a horse of remarkably fine appearance and action. His sire 
was the chestnut hor.se Old Fearnaught, winner of the first 
ten thousand dollar purse at Buffalo. His dam, Lady 



Smithers, by Old Columbus, granddam by Harris' Hamble- 
tonian. Royal is still owned by Messrs. Walker & Co. 

Finally, as a matter of general information, we would like 
to throw some light on the breeding of the dams of the 
great trotters that Branch County has been the means of 
sending out, viz., Albemarle, 2.19; Edward, 2.19; and 
Manibrino General, 2.25 1 ; but, unfortunately, much mystery 
enshrouds the colthood of these horses, and when our atten- 
tion was directed to them we found the landmarks of their 
origin 

*' Overgro\vTi with black oblivion's dust." 

We have thus rapidly traced the growth of the horse 
interest in this county, and trust that our brief review will 
assist in stimulating this important industry. 

Appended is a table of the valuable trotting-horses, past 
and present, either owned or descended from stock owned 
in Branch County, classified according to their public re- 
cords of 2.50 or better : 



Name of Horse. 



Magna Charta.. 



Hannali D 

Mollie 

Young Magna.. 
Iliiyal Magua... 
.hulge Withey.. 
Jennie Moore... 

P. II. Baker 

Bay Cluirlie 

Llltli- Hawk.... 
Kuanoke 



Mambrino Chief... 



Manibrino General.... 

Mambrino Cliarta 

Novice 

Juno 

Kitty risk 

Cliiel" 

Manibrino Walker.... 

George B 

Munibriuo Chief, Jr.. 



Wandering Jew 

Mambrino Oceanic,. 

Woodcliuck 

Captain 



Tom Hunter 

Albemarle 

Alcyone 

Balm ot Gilead.. 
Blue Buck 



Or. Mount. Black Hawk. 

Sherwood 

Benny 

Watchmaker 

Elder Sniffles 

John McCray 

Vermont Hero 

Up and Up 

Lady M 

Gen. Knox 



Name of Sire. 



Color and 
Sex of 
Horse. 



Blorgan Eagle, Jr ibay stal.... 

Magna Charta bay mare. 

" '■ bay mure. 

" laiyt' 

eh. g. 



By whom Owned in 
Michigan. 



L. Dean Girard 



Residence of 
Owner. 



W, Couaut & Co Coldwater... 



Smith Detroit.. 



di. m . 

bay B.. 
bay R.. 
bay g.. 
'■ B 



Clay's Mamb. Cliief.... bay stal.- 



bay g 'Judge Withey.. 



Walker's Mamb. Cliief. 



Secor's Black Hawk.... 
Tom Hunter 



Sherman Black Hawk., ch. 8, 



bay g 

ch. s 

bay mare. 

ro. m 

bay m 

bay s 

bay g 

ch. g 

bay 8....:.. 



H. N. Moore.. 
Dr. Parinieter.. 

H. C. Lewis 

J. F. Pratt 

I. Wagner 



E. C. Walker <S Co.. 



Chas. H. Knowlton.. 

John Allen 

W. G. Davis 



A. C. F.sk 

J. D. Mezner 

E.C.Walker 

Jas. Lewis 

E. C. Walker & Co . 



bay 8 Mr. Holmes 

ch. 8 D. O. Livermore.. 

bay g |A. C. Fisk 

bay s J. D. Mezner 



G. Rapids.. 
Coldwater.. 



Coldwater.. 



Quincy 

Coldwater. 

Colon 

Hyannis, &Iasa. 

Coldwater 

Burr Oak 

Coldwater.. 

Battle Creek.... 
Coldwater 



Marshall.. 



gray 8... 
grayg... 
pray m.. 

ch. g 

gr. 8 



Gr. Mt. Black Hawk.. 



Othello, or Black Prince. 

Faunif 

Sachem 



Frank Moscow... 
Lady BIoscow... 



Belmont.. 
Belle H... 



Hambletonian Star.. 
Edward 



Independence.. 
Pathfinder 



Lady Beach 

Gray Xtna 

Old Tat 

Mambrino Warner... 



Sherman Black Hawk., lilack 3.. 
Vermont Hero Jbay g 

gray m. 

black s.. 



Hill's Black Hawk.. 
Black Prince 



Moscow 

F. Moscow.. 



Irish Hunter... 
Belmout 



R. Hambletonian.. 
H. Star 



Abdallab, Jr 

Pathfinder 

B. St. Lawrence.. 



black 8.... 
black III., 
h.g 



b. B.... 
b. m.. 



%■ s 

ch. m.. 



bay 8... 
ch. g.. 



brown s.. 

br. s 

b. m 



br. g... 
br. g... 



Coldwater... 
Burr Oak... 



A. T. Short 

Wasli. Pulver... 

A. T. Short 

A. G. Be.vler... 
Mr. Burnside... 



A. C. risk 

P. H. Daniels. 
H. L. SiUeck.. 
H. N. .Moore... 
F. V. Smith... 



Fisk & Clark.. 



A. C. Fisk 

E. Van Valkeuburgh.. 



W. Case 

S. McLanc.. 



A.C. Fi.-k.. 
J. Hadley.. 



A.C.Fislt 

Pearce A Co. . 



H. Bailey.... 
A. P. West . 



A. T. Short 

F. V. Smitli 

A. Bedford 

E.G. Walker* Warner. 



Coldwater... 

Bethel 

Coldwater.. 
Gilead 



Coldwater... 

Lansing 

Quincy 

Coldwater... 



Coldwater... 
Hillsdale..'.! 



Burr Oak.. 
Coldwater.. 



Coldwater... 
Detroit 



Coldwa 
Nibs... 



Coldwater... 
Union City.. 
Coldwater.... 



1 Mile 
Record. 



2.22K 

•i:n 

l!.-29 

2.:i2 

2.32).^ 

2.;i4 

2.4U 

2.41 

2.41 

2.4U 

saddle, 

2.29, 

harness, 

2.26!.< 

2.34 " 

2.3C 

2.:il 

2.34 

2.39 

2.4(1 

2.40 

2.«!4 

2.40 

2.4014 

2.32* 

2.4G 

2.3C 
2.19 
2.40 
2.4,') 
2.41 

2.39 

2.33 

2.39 

2.40J4 

'2.411 

2.41 

2.37 

2.28 

2.30 

2.31M 

2.39 
2.41 
2.40 

2.37 
2MA 

2.32* 
2.31 

2.441^ 
2.19 

2.41 

2.32 



2.42 Oin trot better than 2.30. 

2.40 iTrutteil mncii fasttr South. 

2.:i2 ;(!>iini»iiigned South, where he heat 2.30. 

2M% i bie.l at Mansfifld, O. 



This horee is now 24 years oM, and hfis always 

been identified with lirunch County. 
Owned in Pennsylvania. 
Owned in Milwaukee. 
Owned iu (.'hicago. 



Now owneil in ClfivdHud, O. 
Now owned in Ligunier, Ind. 



Said to have trotted iu New York in 2.2G. 
Could trut iu 2.:iU. 



Tills horse whs formerly owned by .\. C. Fisk, and 
8old for S1"j!,UII0; Ills Jj mile record, 13.52. 

Now owned in Brnnklyn, N. Y. 

Nnw owned in St. .lohn, N. B. 

Mjule uhen fivi^ years nlii. 

Owned by G. L. Thacher. Bred iu Bo.ston. 
ned in Washington, D. G. 

Tndted lit Hudson in 2M\%. 

Tiotted at Caiul>ridKe City, Ind., 2.29. 

When four years old showed a trial of 2.29. 

Trtttred in 2.45 wlieu three years old, and sold for 
if 15(10 

Owned iu Wauseon, O. 

* Wlien owned by C. R. Gassett, Boston. 



Thishorse died at Cold water in the summer of 1878. 
Now uwneii in Ruehestei", N. Y. 
Now owned by Nye & Foster, 
lias trotted in 2.32. 



Sold to parties in Kentucky forSTOOO. 
Sire of Capt. Sillick, 2.35. 

Sold to parties in Kalamazoo. 

Sire of Lady Maud, 2.1S^, etc. Bred in Vermont. 

Taken to Chicago. 



Shown trial 2.253^. 

* At Three Rivers. 
Sold for $2500. 

At four years old. 

Now owned in New York. 

Sire of Reaper, etc. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



153 



The early and complete records of Coldwater we are un- 
able to give, from the fact that there are none extant. In 
the year 1851, the fire to which we have already alluded 
swept away the archives of the village. Mr. E. G. Fuller 
was at that time village clerk, and the records were kept 
in his office. The building in which he was located was 
among the first to yield to the devouring flames, and with 
it was destroyed every full and complete chronicle of the 
civil organization and growth of Coldwater. This is but 
another of the many instances that illustrate the importance 
of placing valuable documents where they may be secure 
against the ravages of the fire. Had similar precautions 
been taken in the instance before us, we might gratify the 
interest of our Branch County readers with a consecutive 
record of the city since its first inception in 1837, when it 
was a little more than a hamlet. The following list of 
officers, from 1837 to 1851, is as complete as was possible 
to make it. Among the old papers in the rooms of the 
City Council were found statements of the early elections, 
and the oaths of office that had been filed by the city clerk. 
From these we have gleaned such fragmentary information 
as would enable us to give an imperfect record of the 
officers of the village of Coldwater until 1851, after which 
time it is complete : 

1837. — Hiram Alden, President; Hiram Shoudler, Re- 
corder ; E. T. Paxton, Clerk ; E. Sloan, L. D. Crippen, 
Francis Smith, B. J. Champion, James H. Hanchett, Wil- 
liam Reynolds, Trustees. 

1838.— L. D. Crippen, President ; E. A. Warner, Re- 
corder ; William H. Cross, J. J. Cintis, John T. Hayiics, 
R. J. Champion, E. G. Fuller, Thomas Dougherty, Trus- 
tees. 

1839.— Silas A. Holbrook, l>resident; E. A. Warner, 
Recorder; John J. Curtis, Esbon G. Fuller, Thomas 
Dougherty, Joseph Hanchett, Robert Wood, James Shoe- 
craft, Trustees ; James H. Hanchett, Treasurer ; J. T. 
Haynes, Marshal. 

1841. — James Shoecraft, Darius Littlefield, A. S. Gless- 
ner, Trustees. 

1842. — David Williams, President; George A. Coe, 
Recorder ; Henry F. Pelton, Deputy Recorder ; D. S. 
Williams, Treasurer ; J. H. Waterman, A. S. Glessner, 
W. Gilchrist, Albert Hammond, Trustees. 

1843. — James Pierson, President ; G. A. Coe, Recorder ; 
L. T. M. Wilson, Deputy Recorder ; William H. Kellogg, 
Treasurer ; George Quick, Marshal ; William Gilchrist, 
Overseer of Highways ; A. S. Glessner, Kimball Parrish, 
Assessors ; H. G. Gilbert, J. W. Davis, J. H. Waterman, 
J. B. Ramsdell, Trustees. 

1844. — Henry Lockwood, President; George A. Coe, 
Recorder ; John Root, Deputy Recorder ; David Wood, 
Treasurer ; George Quick, Marshal ; Thomas Dougherty, 
Assessor; A. Chandler, James Pierson, William H. Han- 
chett, Harvey Warner, Trustees. 

1845. — John Root and L. T. N. Wilson, Deputy Record- 
ers ; S. A. Holbrook, A. L. Porter, A.sses.sors ; D. S. Wil- 
liams, Henry Lockwood, H. C. Gilbert, C. Wendell, David 
R. Coolcy, George A. Kellogg, Trustees. 

184(>. — A. L. Porter, President; Corydon 1'. nontdii. 
Recorder; L. T. N. Wilson, Deputy Recorder; Cornelius 
20 



Wendell, Treasurer ; S. Perkins, C. P. Benton, Assessors ; 
George Quick, Marshal ; Isaac Pierce, Overseer of High- 
ways; Christopher Dickenson, Asa Parrish, Henry Lock- 
wood, William Walton, Nelson D. Skeels, Trustees. 

1847.— Harvey Warner, President; Corydon P. Benton, 
Recorder; D. C. Morehouse, Deputy Recorder; S. Perk- 
ins, Marshal ; George A. Kellogg, Treasurer ; Myron A. 
Dougherty, S. A. Holbrook, Assessors ; William H. Kel- 
logg, Overseer of Highways; Christopher Dickenson, Hiram 
Shoudler, Henry Lockwood, James Van Duser, George A. 
Coe, William H. Hanchett, Trustees. 

1848. — Harvey Warner, President; C. P. Benton. Re- 
corder; D. S. Williams, Marshal; Albert Chandler, James 
W. Gilbert, Assessors; James Pierson, Harvey Warner, 
Overseers of Highways ; William II. Hanchett, Henry 
Lockwood, Fred. V. Smith, James Van Duser, George A. 
Coe, C. Dickenson, Trustees. 

1849.— Jared Pond, President ; Henry C. Gilbert, Re- 
corder; A. A. Amidon, Deputy Recorder; Hiram R. Alden, 
Treasurer; H. Lockwood, Marshal; F. V. Smith, 11. Lock- 
wood, Ascsessors ; George Quick, Asa Parrish, Overseers of 
Highways ; Matthias Van Every, Jasper Parrish, E. G. 
Fuller, John R. Wiuans, Trustees. 

1850.— Jared Pond, President; L. T. N. Wilson, Re- 
corder ; Phineas P. Wright, Treasurer ; John Root, David 
Thompson, Assessors; David S. Williams, Marshal; Henry 
C. Lewis, Asa F. Groendycke, Overseers of Highways; 
M. A. Dougherty, S. Perkins, F. V. Smith, A. L. Porter, 
L. D. Crippen, Trustees. 

1851.- Harvey Warner, President; E. G. Fuller, Re- 
corder; F. V. Smith, D. Littlefield, W. E. Clark, S. M. 
Dennison, R. F. Mockridge, Trustees. 

1852.— Albert Chandler, President; James W. Gil- 
bert, Recorder ; Robert F. Mockridge, Treasurer ; Har- 
vey Warner, John Chandler, Assessors ; L. T. N. Wilson, 
iVIarshal ; Homer M. Wright, Albert L. Porter, Stephen 
S. Cutter, Sterling Perkins, Nelson D. Skeels, Chaster S. 
Tucker, Trustees. 

1853. — Hiram Shoudler, President; George A. Kellogg, 
Recorder ; R. F. Mockridge, Treasurer ; F. V. Smith, 
Marshal ; Phineas P. Wright, James B. Crippen, Wm. 
H. Beach, Augustus S. Glessner, William A. Jackson, 
John Root, Trustees. 

1854.— Alvin H. Burdick, President; Elihu P. Bond, 
Recorder ; R. F. Mockridge, Treasurer ; Jared Pond, Mar- 
shal ; John Root, F. V. Smith, Assessors; Matthias Van 
Every, Robt. M. Wilder, Edwin R. (!lark, Isaac Pierce, 
James W. Gilbert, Davis Smith, Trustees. 

1855. — Hiram Baker, President; Justin Lawyer, Re- 
corder; Goo. A. Coe, Treasurer; John C. Pelton, Mar- 
shal ; Roland Root, F. V. Smith, Assessors ; Jiconard 
Bowker, Calvin Pratt, Morris Howe, 0. Bingham, M. II. 
Parker, Isaac P. Alger, Trustees. 

1S5G. — Roland Root, President; Franklin T. Kddy, 
Recorder; Nelson D. Skeels, Treasurer; Cyrus A. Dun- 
ning, Marshal ; Edwin R. Clark, Cornelius Wendell, Henry 
C. Lewis, Philo H. Crippen, Daniel 15. Dennis, Trustees. 

1857. — Augustus S. Gl&ssner, President; Franklin T. 
Eddy, itecorder; A. P. Bidwell, Treasurer; Alonzo Dun- 
can, Marshal ; John Root, David S. Williams, As.sessors ; 



154 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Nelson D. Skeels, Mortimer Mansfield, James Pierson, 
Charles Upson, Jonathan H. Gray, John Waterhouse, 
Trustees. 

1858.— Alonzo F. Bidwell, President; Ovid Allen, Geo. 
A. Coe, James A. McCarty, James H. Marsh, Stephen S. 
Peckham, Geo. W. Johnson, Trustees ; Wallace W. Bar- 
rett, Clerk ; Mortimer Mansfield, Marshal ; Justin Law- 
yer, Treasurer; John Root, D. S. Williams, Assessors; 
Kimball Parish, Roland Root, I. P. Alger, Street Com- 
missioners ; Robert M. Wilder, Poundmaster. 

1859. — Charles Upham, President; Devereux S. Har- 
rington, Tyler M. Parish, Luke H. Whitcomb, Luther P. 
Hall, William H. Abbott, William Van Denbergh, Trus- 
tees ; James A. McCarty, Marshal ; Justin Lawyer, Treas- 
urer ; Hiram Shoudler, Assessor ; Mortimer Mansfield, 
Street Commissioner ; Daniel Chapman, Poundmaster. 

18G0.— Stephen Cutler, President; Uri Blodgett, S. T. 
P. BuUard, Ephraim A. Knowlton, David Thompson, John 
G. Ketchum, George B. Tyler, Trustees ; P. P. Nichols, 
Clerk; John S. Youngs, Treasurer; William H. Abbott, 
Marshal ; David B. Purinton, Assessor ; Origin Bingham, 
Street Commissioner ; Herman H. Plandermeyer, George 
D. Ford, Fire-Wardons ; John Luck, Poundmaster. 

1861. — In this year Coldwater obtained a city charter, 
with the following municipal officers : Albert Chandler, 
Mayor; Robert P. Mockridge, Clerk; John S. Youngs, 
Treasurer ; Isaac Van Ness, Marshal ; Matthias Van Every, 
Street Commissioner; Franklin D. Marsh, Collector; John 
Root, Justice. First Ward: Frederick V.Smith, Supervisor; 
Julius S. Barber, Alderman ; Isaac Van Ness, Constable. 
Second Ward: Corydon P. Benton, Supervisor; Isaac P. 
Alger, Alderman ; Eli W. Bovee, Constable. Third Ward : 
L. D. Crippen, Supervisor ; Ephraim A. Knowlton, Alder- 
man ; Andrew S. Rowell, Constable. Fourth Ward : David 
N. Green, Supervisor; John D. Wood, Alderman; George 
W. Bowker, Constable. 

1862.— Albert Chandler, Mayor ; Robert P. Mockridge, 
Clerk ; John S. Youngs, Treasurer ; Isaac Van Ness, Mar- 
shal ; Matthias Van Every, Street Commissioner; Franklin 
D. Marsh, Collector ; John Root, Justice of the Peace. 
First Ward : Frederick V. Smith, Supervisor ; Julius Barber, 
Alderman ; Isaac Van Ness, Constable. Second Ward : 
Corydon P. Benton, Supervisor ; Eli VV. Bovee, Constable. 
Third Ward : Lorenzo D. Crippen, Supervisor ; Ephraim 
A. Knowlton, Alderman ; Andrew S. Rowell, Constable. 
Fourth Ward ; David N. Green, Supervisor ; John D. Wood, 
Alderman ; George W. Bowker, Constable. 

1863. — David B. Dennis, Mayor; Hiram D. Upham, 
Clerk ; Ives G. Miles, Treasurer ; Isaac Van Ness, Jlar- 
shal ; Winslow H. Sawyer, Street Commissioner ; Theodore 
C. Elheridge, Collector ; Benjamin C. Webb, Justice of the 
Peace, to fill vacancy; the same for full term. First Ward: 
Frederick V. Smith, Supervisor; John W. Culp, Alder- 
man ; Isaac Van Ness, Constable. Second Ward : Cory. 
P. Benton, Supervisor ; A. S. Glessner, Alderman ; Slocum 
Earton, Constable. Third Ward : Daniel W. Green, Super- 
visor ; Abram McCrea, Alderman ; Andrew S. Rowell, Con- 
stable. Fourth Ward : Franklin T. Eddy, Supervisor ; John 
O. Pelton, Alderman ; George W. Bowker, Constable. 
1804. — Justin Lawyer, Mayor; John Murpliey, Clerk ; 



George K. Bowker, Marshal ; Amariah G. Stevens, Col- 
lector ; Roland Root, Street Commissioner ; George A. Coe, 
Justice of the Peace ; George Starr, Treasurer. First Ward : 
Frederick V. Smith, Supervisor ; Julius S. Barber, Alder- 
man ; George S. Gibson, Constable. Second Ward : Theo- 
dore C. Etheridge, Supervisor ; Phineas P. Nichols, Alder- 
man ; Walter H. Lathrop, Constable. Third Ward : D. B. 
Purinton, Supervisor; Nelson H. Saunders, Alderman; 
Lansing M. Gray, Constable. Fourth Ward : Franklin T. 
Eddy, Supervisor ; Jldward W. Markham, Alderman ; 
George W. Love, Constable. 

1865. — Justin Lawyer, Mayor; John Murphey, Clerk; 
Robert M. Wilder, Marshal ; Edward W. Benton, Collector ; 
George Starr, Treasurer ; David B. Dennis, Justice of the 
Peace ; Matthias Van Every, Street Commissioner. First 
Ward : George S. Sweet, Supervisor ; Hiram Poland, Alder- 
man ; George C. Gibson, Constable. Second Ward : Ovid 
Allen, Supervisor ; Edwin R. Clarke, Alderman ; Alexan- 
der Oderin, Jr., Constable. Third Ward : George A. Coe, 
Supervisor; Allen Tibbits, Alderman, full term ; James A. 
McCarty, vacancy; Lansing M. Gray, Constable. Fourth 
Ward : Franklin T. Eddy, Supervisor ; Franklin E. Morgan, 
Alderman ; Darius Chapman, Constable. 

1866.- John H. Beach, Mayor; William G. Moore, 
Clerk; Gcnrge Starr, Treasurer; John Whitcomb, Mar- 
shal ; Henry C. Williams, Collector ; Matthias Van Every, 
Street Commissioner ; Wallace W. Barrett, Justice of the 
Peace. First Ward : George S. Sweet, Supervisor ; Byron 
D. Paddock, Alderman; George C. Gibson, Constable. 
Second Ward ; Theodore C. Etheridge, Supervisor ; P. P. 
Nichols, Alderman ; Alexander Oderin, Constable. Third 
Ward: George A. Coe, Supervisor; William S. Gilbert, 
Alderman ; Lansing M. Gray, Constable. Fourth Ward : 
Franklin T. Eddy, Supervisor ; John H Bennett, Alder- 
man ; Stephen Paddock, Constable. 

1867.— D. C. Powers, Mayor; D. J. Easton, Clerk; 
George Starr, Treasurer ; John Whitcomb, Marshal ; John 
Chandler, Collector ; Matthias Van Every, Street Commis- 
sioner ; Benjamin C. Webb, Justice of the Peace. First 
Ward : J. McGowan, Supervisor ; Lewis B. Johnson, Alder- 
man ; John Whitcomb, Constable. Second Ward : T. C. 
Etheridge, H. 0. Mosher, Aldermen; A. Oderin, Consta- 
ble. Third Ward : George A. Coe, Supervisor ; L. T. N. 
Wilson, Alderman ; L. M. Gray, Constable. Fourth Ward : 
F. T. Eddy, Supervisor; G. W. Watson, Alderman ; J. S. 
Wolcott, Constable. 

1868. — David C. Powers, Mayor ; John Murphey, Clerk ; 
John P. Youngs, Treasurer ; Roland Root, Street Commis- 
sioner ; David B. Purinton, Justice of the Peace ; Henry 
N. Moore, Marshal ; Gilbert H. Taylor, Collector. First 
Ward, Jonas H. McGowan, Supervisor; James Anderson, 
Alderman ; Ansel E. Thompson, Constable. Second Ward : 
Theo. C. Etheridge, Supervisor ; David N. Green, Alder- 
man ; to fill vacancy, Parley G. Benton ; Thomas MeComb, 
Constable. Third Ward: George A. Coe, Supervisor; 
David Thompson, Alderman ; William G. Kyte, Constable. 
Fourth Ward: Franklin T. Eddy, Supervisor; John H. 
Bennett, Alderman ; Jerome P. Wolcott, Constable. 

186'J. — Phineas P. Nichols, Mayor; John Murphey, 
Clerk ; Lester E. Rose, Treasurer ; Isaac P. Alger, Justice 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



155 



of the Peace ; Thomas Harrison, Marshal ; Corydon P. 
Benton, Collector; John M. Saunders, Street Commis- 
sioner. Firat Ward : Geo. S. Sweet, Supervisor ; Lewis 
B. Johnson, Alderman ; Silas L. Devens, Constable. Second 
Ward : Theo. C. Etheridge, Supervisor ; Thomas W. Dick- 
enson, Alderman ; full term, Nathan Ro.sonbaum, to fill 
vacancy. Tliird Ward : George A. Coe, Supervisor ; Abram 
McCrca, Alderman ; Andrew S. Howell, Constable. Fourth 
Ward : S. S. Scovill, Supervi-sor ; Bleeker L. Webb, Alder- 
man ; George W. Bowker, Constable. 

1870. — Justin Lawyer, Mayor; Wm. H. H. Halsted, 
Clerk ; Lester E. Rose, Treasurer ; David Thompson, Jus- 
tice of the Peace, full term and to fill vacancy ; Alfred 
Thompson, Marshal ; John W. Saunders, Street Commis- 
sioner ; Cornelius Van Ness, Collector. First Ward : David 
N. Green, Supervisor ; Hiram Shoudler, Alderman ; Silas 
S. Devins, Constable. Second Ward : Theo. C. Etheridge, 
Supervisor ; Parley Burton, Alderman ; Jeremiah Rogers, 
Constable. Third Ward: David Thompson, Supervisor; 
Wm. R. Foster, Alderman, full term ; Hiram B. Robin.son, 
to fill vacancy ; Andrew S. Rowell, Constable. Fourth 
Ward : S. S. Scovill, Supervisor ; John R. Champion, 
Alderman ; George W. Bowker, Constable. 

1871.— David B. Dennis, Mayor ; W. H. H. Halsted, 
Clerk; Willard J. Bowen, Treasurer ; Hamilton S. Miles, 
Marshal ; John M. Saunders, Street Commissioner ; Charles 
L. Trucsdell, Collector ; Benjamin C. Webb, Justice of the 
Peace. First Ward : David N. Green , Supervisor ; Spencer 
Birdsell, Constable. Second Ward : William A. Coombs, 
Supervisor ; J. Franklin Pratt, Alderman ; Jeremiah 
Rogers, Constable. Third Ward : Roland Root, Super- 
visor; Robert JI. Wilder, Alderman; Andrew S. Rowell, 
Constable. Fourth Ward : S. S. Scovill, Supervisor ; Blee- 
ker L. Webb, Alderman ; George W. Bowker, Constable. 

1872. — Henry C. Lewis, Mayor; Wm. R. Foster, Clerk ; 
Willard J. Bowen, Treasurer ; Gurdon L. Howe, Collector • 
David B. Purinton, Justice of the Peace ; John M. Saun- 
ders, Justice of the Peace. First Ward : David N. Green, 
Supervisor ; George Cauwriter, Alderman ; Geo. H. White- 
head, Constable. Second Ward : Theo. C. Etheridge, Super- 
visor ; Uri Blodget, Alderman ; Jeremiah Rogere, Constable. 
Third Ward: Roland Root, Supervisor; David Thompson, 
Alderman ; Andrew S. Rowell, Constable. Fourth Ward : 
Franklin T. Eddy, Supervisor; Jeremiah Wolcott, Alder- 
man; John C. Hall, Constable. 

1873. — Henry C. Lewis, Mayor; William R. Foster, 
Clerk; Willard J. Brown, Treasurer; Roland Root, Jus- 
tice of the Peace ; John M. Saunders, Street Commissioner ; 
D. P. Cushman, Marshal. First Ward : I. D. W. Fisk, 
Supervisor ; William Burns, Alderman ; Spencer Birdsell, 
Constable. Second Ward : T. C. Etheridge, Supervisor ; 
Henry C. Whitley, Alderman ; Jeremiah Rogers, Constable. 
Third Ward: Roland Root, Supervisor; Thomas Smith, 
Alderman ; Andrew S. Rowell, Constable. Fuimli Ward : 
Henry C. Williams, Supervisor; Lester E. Rose, Alderman ; 
Charles Wellcr, Constable. 

187-t. — John R. Champion, Mayor ; Charles L. Trucs- 
dell, Clerk; Willard J. Bowen, Treasurer; Alfred 
Thompson, Marshal ; John M. Saunders, Street Commis- 



sioner ; Daniel Bovee, Justice of the Peace. First Ward : 
Daniel N. Green, Supervisor; Anthony R. Brown, Alder- 
man; K. Parish, Constable. Second Ward: Theo. C. 
Etheridge, Supervisor ; David B. Purinton, Alderman ; 
John Ray, Constable. Third Ward : Alk'u Tibbits, Su- 
pervisor; Smith W. Fisk, Alderman; Lansing M. Gray, 
Constable. Fourth Ward : David S. Williams, Super- 
visor; John E. Allen, Alderman; Isaac Ihiir, C(jnstable. 

1875. — John R. Champion, Mayor; Charles L. Trues- 
dell. Clerk ; Willard J. Bowen, Treasurer ; Job Williams, 
Marshal; A.sa Wat^rhou.se, Street Commissioner; Benj. 
C. Webb, Justice of the Peace. First Ward : Jacob E. 
Smith, Supervisor ; William H. Abbott, Alderman ; John 
Lennan, Con.stable. Second Ward : Levi W. Lee, Super- 
visor ; Alfred Foster, Alderman ; Charles M. Abbott, Con- 
stable. Third Ward : Roland Root, Supervisor ; Thomas 
Smith, Alderman ; Frederick Schaffer, Constable. Fourth 
Ward : Albert F. Chandler, Supervisor ; Herman H. Flau- 
dermeyer. Alderman ; Henry Cook, Constable. 

1876.— Stephen S. Cutter, Mayor; L. P. Palmer, Clerk; 
Wm. Job Williams, Marshal ; David B. Purinton, Justice 
of the Peace; Willard I. Bowen, Treasurer; John M. 
Saunders, Street Commissioner. First Ward : Jacob E. 
Smith, Supervisor ; Henry Ray, Alderman ; Hamilton S. 
Miles, Constable. Second Ward: Levi W. Lee, Super- 
visor ; William A. Coombs, Alderman ; Wm. R. Waden, 
Constable. Third Ward : Roland Root, Supervisor ; Al- 
fred Milnes, Alderman ; Calvin J. Dart, for vacancy ; Jo- 
seph H. Montague, Constable. Fourth Ward : David S. 
Williams, Supervisor ; M. H. Parker, Alderman ; John C. 
Hall, Constable. 

1877. — Charles Upson, Mayor; L. P. Palmer, Clerk; 
Alfred Thompson, Marshal ; George Starr, Treasurer ; 
Roland Root, Justice of the Peace ; John M. Saunders, 
Street Commissioner. First Ward : Daniel Halway, Su- 
pervisor ; Henry C. Clark, Alderman ; Spencer Birdsell, 
Constable. Second Ward : David B. Purinton, Super- 
visor ; Clark Pierce, Alderman ; George S. Culver, Con- 
stable. Third Ward : Roland Root, Supervisor ; Isaac 
McColom, Alderman ; Joseph H. Montague, Constable. 
Fourth Ward : Wm. H. Donaldson, Supervisor ; Sylvanus 
S. Scovill, Alderman ; Lyman J. Goodell, Constable. 

1878.— A. J. Foster, Mayor; Albert 0. Wood, Clerk; 
Orlando G. Noyes, Marshal ; John W. Turner, Justice of 
the Peace ; Ransom E. Hall, Treasurer ; John Keely, 
Street Commissioner. First Ward : Arthur R. Burrows, 
Supervisor ; Fred. H. Flandermeyer, Alderman ; Spencer 
Birdsell, Constable; Frederick V. Smith and Darius W. 
Fridham, members of School Board. Second Ward : David 
B. Purinton, Supervisor; George Firth, Alderman, full 
term ; P. P. Nichols for vacancy ; Geo. W. Lee, Constable; 
George S. Foster and Harvey D. Robinson, members of 
School Board. Third Ward : Roland Root, Supervisor ; 
Alfred Thompson, Alderman ; Joseph H. Montague, Con- 
stable ; George W. Stevens and Oscar B. Moore, members 
of School Board. Fourth Ward : Charles V. L. Hibbee, 
Supervisor ; I. S. Wolcott, Alderman ; Fred. C. Meyer, 
Constable; John R. Champion and Justin Lawyer, mem- 
bers of school Board. 



156 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



JOHN H. BEECH, M.D., 

was born Sept. 24, 1819, at Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y. He 
was the son of Dr. Jesse Beech. He prej)ared for college 
at Gaines Academy, and graduated at Albany Medical 
College in April, 1841, immediately entering upon the 
practice at Gaines, in partnership with Dr. Martin Mason, 
an old practitioner at that place, with whom he continued 
two years ; thenceforward pursuing the practice singly. 




Photo by E Kiniluiark, Coldwater. 
JOHN H. BEECH, M.D. 

until October, 1850, at which time he removed to Cold- 
water. Meantime he attended several courses of lectures, 
and spent one winter in New York, and one in the Phila- 
delphia hospitals. 

During the war he rendered valuable service in the vari- 
ous hospitals and positions assigned him. He was acting 
assistant surgeon in the Army of the Tennessee in May and 
June, 1862 ; was commissioned surgeon of the 24th Michigan 
Infantry, Aug. 15, 1862 ; appointed member of the oper- 
ating board of the 1st Army Corps before Fredericksburg, 
Va., Dec. 12, 1862 ; Dec. 21, 1863, made surgeon-in-chief 
(j7ro tern.) of the 1st Division of the 1st Army Corps, 
confirmed by special order April 12, 1864, and continued 
in the discharge of this duty, though the brigade (styled 
by Gen. McClellan the " Iron Brigade" ) wa.s changed in 
divisions and corps, until Feb. 18, 1865 ; when it was 
broken up, and its veteran regiments sent North. At 
Gettysburg, Pa., he was appointed surgeon-in-charge of 
the Express Office Hospital, July 4, 1863, and continued 
to hold the position until the 5th of the following August, 
when illness compelled him to give it up. His resignation 
as surgeon of the 24th Michigan Infantry was accepted 
April 4, 1865. 

After the war he confined himself to consultations in 
medicine, operative surgery, and gynecology. He was a 



member of the Branch County Medical Society; the 
Peninsular Medical Society, which he represented in 1854 
and 1855 in the American Medical Association, and of 
which he was elected president in 1856; the American 
Medical Association, to which he made in 1855 a report 
on the " Topography and Epidemics of Michigan ;" the 
Southern Michigan Medical Society, which he founded in 
1873, and of which he was elected president in July, 
1874; the Alumni Association of Albany Medical College, 
of which he was elected president in 1874; the Amer- 
ican Public Health Association ; was elected, April 12, 
1870, corresponding member of the Detroit Academy of 
Medicine, and Nov. 7, 1871, of the Gynaecological Society 
of Boston, Mass. ; and in 1876 was appointed special corre- 
spondent of the Michigan State Board of Health, in con- 
nection with which it may be stated the law of Michigan 
prohibiting the tying of the feet of small animals in transit 
for slaughter was the result of petitions originated and 
distributed by him. To each of the organizations above 
named he contributed practical papers and various medical 
journals. 

In April, 1866, he was elected mayor of the city of 
Coldwater. In the same year he was elected president of 
the board of the trustees of the Coldwater Female Semi- 
nary, and froiu 1870 to 1875 (inclusive) was moderator of 
the Board of Education of the city. 

He was married, Jan. 2(1, 1842, to Miss Eliza C. Crowns, 
of Guilderland, Albany Co., N. Y., who died June 5, 
1859. Jan. 5, 1861, he married, at Clarkson, Monroe Co., 
N. Y., Mary Jane Perry, who died June 24, 1872. Aug. 
26, 1875, he married Mrs. Sarah p]. Skeels, of Coldwater, 
who is a sister of Henry C. Lewis. Dr. Beech departed 
this life Oct. 17, 1878, leaving no issue. 



Coldwater, Mien., March 30, 1879. 

Messrs. Everts & Abbott : 

Dear Sirs, — As I was among the early comers into this 
part of Michigan, I am requested to contribute something 
to the history of Branch County, which you are about to 
publish, by giving some account of myself, and by stating 
some of the incidents of its early settlement, with which I 
am familiar. 

I was born Feb. 28, 1797, in the State of New York, and 
Was never outside of its limits till thirty-eight years after- 
wards, when I set out for Michigan. I have lived under 
the administration of all the Presidents, but for six days 
only under that of Washington. 

Quite early in life I was ambitious to become a doctor. 
Having always to depend upon myself, the fruition of that 
desire was deferred somewhat beyond my wishes, but with 
such means as I could obtain, after I became of age, I took 
a preparatory course, and started for Fairfield, Herkimer 
Co., N. Y., to attend the medical college, then in a flourish- 
ing condition at that place. My studies were continued at 
that school between three and four years, until I graduated 
in the winter of 1826. 

Going into the western part of the State in the fall of 
1827, I settled in my profession at Webster Corners, on 
the Ridge road, ten miles east from the city of Rochester. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



157 



I remained at tli:il pniiU lliicc years, lliun roinoveJ to 
Honeoye Falls, some sixteen miles south from that city, 
where I lived till I came to Miehii^an, in 1835. The Rev. 
Francis Smith, whose eldest daughter I married in 1831, 
having disposed of his home and other property, I was in- 
duced to set out with him on a tour West, in <|ue.st of a 
new home, intendiiif,' to proceed a-s far as the iVIississippi 
River, should nothinu; he met with to suit before we got 
there. We left our homes about the middle of May, and 




riioto. by K. KindDiark, Coldwatpr. 
W. B. SPRAGUE, M.D. 

had for our companions in travel Mr. Bradley Crippen and 
Philo H. Crippen, his son, who also had married a daughter 
of Mr. Smith. With two horses and a light, covered wagon, 
we took our course by the way of Buffalo, Cleveland, and 
the inevitable Black Swamp, and, afler crossing the Maumee 
at Perrysburgh, went down that river a few miles, and 
turning north, crossed the plains to Dundee, on the River 
Raisin. This route was chosen to escape the Cottonwood 
Swamp, through which the road was reputed to be about 
as bad as that of the Black Swamp. Before we reached 
Coldwater we fell in company with Mr. James Fiske and L. 
D. CrijiiHMi, who had .started from their homes in Penfield, 
east from Rochester, about the same time we had set out. 
There were six persons now in our company, and it was 
decided to stop when we .should arrive at Coldwater, look 
at the country, and learn the chances for buying, etc. Our 
stoppage at this point resulted in the purchase of a thousand 
acres or more of land, lying on sections 21 and 22, — all of 
which is now included within the limits of our city. These 
lands were parceled out by mutual understanding between 
the six purchasers respectively. My portion fell upon the 
west half of the ea.st half of section 22, where I have lived 
with but little change ever since. 

The parties who sold in this transaction were Robert J. 
Cross and Wm. H. Cross, his brother, Allen Tibbits, Joseph 
Hanchett, and Peter Martin. The conveyances were all 
completed, I believe, in the first week of June, 1835. 



The jiarties on both sides in this matter, except myself, 
were men of more than ordinary ability and experience 
financially, and it would have been a paper of much inter&st 
to-day, had a journal of all that passed between the parties 
before the negotiations W(;re completed been kept and 
handed down to the present generation. Mr. Fiske, L. D. 
Crippen, and 1'. II. Crippen, his brother, made arrange- 
ments to take possession immediately, while Mr. Bradley 
Crippen, Mr. Smith, and my.self returned l<]:ist, intending 
to remove with our families in the fall. 

On our return to Coldwater, we started the Hth of Sep- 
tember, and arrived at our destination the 24th day of that 
month, pa.ssing through Canada on our route, having sent 
all our heavy goods by way of the Krie Canal and the Lake 
to Detroit. 

Early in the season of lS3t> a j)arlnership was formed, 
consisting of Francis Smith, Thomas Dougherty, and my- 
self, with a view of building both a saw-mill and a flouring- 
mill, at the west end of what is now Pearl Street, in our city. 
Work on the saw-mill was begun the same .season, by a 
Mr. Worden, of the State of New York, and was finished 
some time in the fall. The flouring-mill was commenced 
quite early in the spring of 1837, and completed early in 
the following winter. The late Samuel Ethridge, well 
known to all our citizens, .served us as chief-engineer, archi- 
tect, and builder. 

Both of these structures were built in what was then the 
modern style, and were calculated to be of great value to 
the public, as well as to the proprietors. 

Twenty years or more afterwards these mills were con- 
sumed by fire, after having changed hands several times. 
The flouring-mill, occupying the place of the original one, 
and now owned by W. A. Coombs, was built by L. D. 
Crippen and Rathbuu Alden, but not until some years had 
elapsed. 

It was during the second term of Jackson's administra- 
tion that we bought a home in Coldwater, at a time when 
the Democratic party had become exceedingly popular and 
strong. 

The population flowing into Michigan that year and the 
following one, having been mainly from the State of New 
York, consisted very generally of men belonging to the 
Democratic, or Jacksonian party. 

This was especially true of Branch County. What few 
belonged to the opposite party on our arrival were soon 
largely outnumbered, and the principle that the spoils of 
ofiSce belonged exclusively to the party in power had come 
to be rigidly believed in, and enforced on every occasion. 

Although I never preferred to hold a public office of any 
kind, or take a very prominent part in politics, it was 
deemed by my political friends to be necessary for me to 
share a part of the spoils. This was owing in some measure 
to the great profusion of offices to be tilled immediately after 
Michigan was made a State, and to the sparseness of the 
population at that period. 

I Wius first made clerk of the township of Coldwater. 
That w;is at the spring election of 183G, and at the Novem- 
ber election succeeding I was appointed an associate judge, 
having for my chum in office the late Hon. Chester Ham- 
mond, of Union City. 



158 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



The first term of the Circuit Court in Branch County, 
was held at the village of Branch, which continued for a 
time to be the county-seat. Here Judge Epaphroditus 
Ransom, who was soon afterwards elected Governor of our 
State, presided. 

The court convened in a school-house, standing then on 
a delightful eminence some twenty rods west from the old 
hotel, where all received their rations, and where Jud^e 
Ransom lodged while he stayed. The judge was a man of 
a dignified appearance, and of an affable turn. He was 
from Vermont, having removed to Michigan while it was 
yet a Territory, settling at Kalamazoo. 

But the people of Branch County, like all other new 
communities where the population is sparse and the country 
unimproved, were unfortunate ; they could not boast of a 
solitary lawyer, while parties in litigation were driven to 
import that article from a distance in order to maintain ap- 
pearances, if from no other motive. 

Howe, from Lima, Indiana, another lawyer from Jackson, 
and the indomitable little man, Columbia Lancaster, of Cen- 
treville, put in their appearance at this first session of the 
Circuit Court. 

After Coldwater became the county-seat, courts were con- 
ducted in a rickety old building that stood where the brick 
residence of the late Dr. J. H. Beach is now seen. By 
that time, however, the Hon. Alpheus Felch had become 
presiding judge. 

During the Harrison campaign this old building received 
the name of " Coon Pen." It was well entitled to this 
name, and bore it long after it was given up for court pur- 
poses. Lawyer Van Arman, who has since become a noted 
criminal lawyer, now living in Chicago, Abner Pratt, Gov. 
Gordon (all these of Marshall), and John Chipman, of 
Niles,— familiarly known as " Black Chip," from the dark 
color of his skin, — all of these were at one time to be seen 
in court at the Coon Pen. 

The next office that fell to my lot was that of judge of 
Probate, to fill the unexpired term of E. A. Warner, who 
had been elected a State senator. I was notified of my 
election by H. B. Stillman, then county clerk, Jan. 20, 
1842. My time expired in January, 1845. I think that 
Peter Martin, already mentioned, was the first one to fill 
this office after the county was regularly organized. He 
bore that title, I know, at the time we came here on our 
first tour. He was succeeded by Martin Olds, of the town- 
ship of Batavia. Mr. Olds bore other offices in his day 
with much credit to himself and the county. Grand juries 
were required in those days, and I remember that he was 
appointed foreman of the grand jury at the first session 
of the Circuit Court for the county after the adoption of 
the State constitution. E. A. Warner, before named, suc- 
ceeded Judge Olds, I think. 

At the November election, 1845, I was chosen to repre- 
sent pur county in the Legislature by a small majority over 
another Democrat, who had received a regular nomination, 
I believe, at a caucus some time before the election. I re- 
ceived notice of this election from C. P. Benton, county 
clerk, dated Nov. 13, 1845. 

But I shall find it pleasant here to refer again to my first 
visit to Coldwater. I remember that I lodged at the house 



of Joseph Hanchett the first night of our stay. He had 
built a comfortable log house, which stood just across the 
alley passing the north end of E. R. Clarke's drug-store. 
Mr. Hanchett had a well a few feet from the east side of 
his house (which was then the front side) that furnished 
the coolest and purest water that we had met with anywhere 
on our journey. Indeed, our town might justly have de- 
rived its name from the fact, that at nearly every point 
within the corporation water of the same excellent quality 
may always be obtained at but little expense. 

My bed-fellow was James, a son of Mr. H., a precocious 
lad, then of some eighteen years. He afterwards became 
known as a genial and very active business man in our 
midst, staying here a number of years. 

His forte lay principally in originating large structures 
to be used for hotels and the like, fondly anticipating that 
they would be in immediate demand fi-om the rapid growth 
of our population and an increase in travel. But his am- 
bition soon carried him far ahead of the age. It had be- 
come a disorder with him, contracted perhaps in his youth, 
a few years before, when the effects of the wild-cat plague 
bore so heavily everywhere on the business and morals of 
the community. He went to Wisconsin many years ago, to 
remember only with regret, perhaps, the visionary schemes 
of his younger days. Of the capacious structures he built 
there is not one now left. They were too balloon-like and 
subject to fire, which in those times was an element of 
progress and improvement that always lingered suspiciously 
around any premises of that character. The log,fl(velling 
built and occupied by his father survived them all for 
many years, but was at length nearly consumed by fire. 
Scores of lasting memorials, however, were snatched from 
its ruins. From some of the logs only partially consumed 
a large number of nice canes were made by our indefatiga- 
ble and public-spirited citizen Dr. I. P. Alger, and dis- 
tributed by him among many of the pioneers that were 
then living. 

The writer was presented with one of these, which he 
wished to be preserved as an heir-loom in his family, taken 
perhaps from the identical timber upon which he rested the 
first night after a tedious journey of some five hundred 
miles, and from the walls of a tenement where after his 
arrival here he took his first repast. The house stood also 
in the near vicinity of a spot destined to be his own future 
home perhaps as long as he lived. Many reminiscences of 
much more value than these I have mentioned will, I trust, 
be furnished by other pens much better qualified to make 
the pages of your book interesting to the reader. 

Being unwilling to exceed my proper limits, I must defer 
at this point. 

In many, if not indeed in all of the advantages which 
our State has conferred upon the people, the citizens of 
Branch County have been sharers. I can by no means 
look at any of my public acts with half the satisfaction I 
find in thinking of this fact. That these advantages have 
been duly appreciated is attested by what may now be seen 
on every side. But if for no other reason I can boast at 
all, I find not a little pleasure when I remember the honor 
my fellow-citizens bestowed on me by placing me on the 
list with others who were the first ones elected to bear an 





Photos, liy E. Kindni^uli CiMw^itfL-. 



MllS. L. 1>. IRII'I'KN. 



;^a:5^-'' ipsvC 



■^H^ |i 










-■^5^**^^ --^X 




HARVEY IIAVNES. 



Photos. l,.vE.Kindmark,Cul,Uv.ter. ^^^^^^ ^^ „aYNES. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



159 



official place among them after the Territory of Michigan 
had assumed the dignity of a State. 

Yours truly, 

Wm. B. Speague. 



LORENZO D. CKIl'PEN 

was one of tlio earliest settlers in Coldwater. He came in 
the sprini; of 1835. Adopting this as his future home, he 
did what he could to build up the town, and all local pub- 
lic enterprises of his day felt the benefit of his capital and 
tlie influence of his advice. He was horn in Fairfield, 
Ihnkimor, Co., N. Y., Aug. 29, ISOC Son of Bradley 
and Esther Crippen, who came to Coldwater in the fall of 
1835. The Crippen family were an important accession to 
Coldwater. Possessed of considerable; means, they purchased 
a large tract of land adjoining the public park and court- 
house. 

Lorenzo D. Crippen, being an active business man, soon 
gained a prominent and influential position in the affairs of 
the county. He early engaged in the mercantile business ; 
was interested in the first furnace, the early mills, etc. 
When the tide of emigration came, and men were .seeking 
situations, Mr. Crippen could find just the place for them. 
Whether it was for a day's work or to establish some im- 
portant business, — in locating the county-seat, a railroad 
depot, or any important public enterprise, — requiring sa- 
gacious and prompt action, parties always found a response 
in him. He was married, Dec. 13, 1827, to Miss Ruth H. 
Haynes, daughter of James and Abigail Haynes, formerly 
of Highland, on the Hudson. They removed to Monroe 
Co., N. Y^., in 1825, where they remained until the spring 
of 1836, when they came to Coldwater and settled on the 
farm now the home of their son, Harvey Haynes. 

Politically, Mr. Crippen was a Democrat ; in religious 
belief a Spiritualist, although he contributed to the erec- 
tion of all churches in Coldwater in his day. He died 
April 20, 1864, leaving a wife and three children, — James 
B., who died October, 1869 ; Jeanette, who married Gen. 
Clinton B. Fisk, of New York ; and J. D., of Coldwater. 



HON. HARVEY HAYNES. 

Among the pioneers of Branch County who are conspicu- 
ous not only as identified with the early reminiscences of the 
county, but from the fact that by their force of character 
and intelligence they have commanded positions of influence, 
is the name of Hon. Harvey Haynes. The good old county 
of ULster, in New York State, claims him as her son by 
birth, though Branch Co., Mich., presents a stronger claim 
by adoption. Mr. Haynes was born Jan. 24, 1817, and 
in early life moved to Monroe Co., N. Y., and later, accom- 
panied his father, James Haynes, to Michigan, locating on 
the spot where he now resides, in 1836. In early life he 
studied law, and during the time engaged in teaching ; but 
his ta.stes having inclined iiim to farming pursuits, he has 
always been absorbed in that occupation. 

Many offices of trust in connection with his township 
have been bestowed upon him, he having for twelve years 



held the positions of assessor and supervisor. In 1864 he 
was chosen by his constituents to represent them in the 
Legislature, and this honor was conferred upon him again 
in 1870. During the latter term the bill locating the State 
Public School was passed, and the commissioners appointed 
to choose a site, determined upon Coldwater as the favored 
spot. Mr. Haynes took an active interest in the project, his 
position as chairman of the State Prison Committee aflTord- 
ing him an opportunity of exercising a considerable influ- 
ence in the matter. The land on which the buildings are 
located was purchased of him, and adjoins his residence. 
He is also secretary of the Branch County Pioneer Society, 
an important organization in the county. 

Mr. Haynes was married, March 4, 1840, to Eliza, 
daughter of Dr. Hiram Alden, one of the earliest repre- 
sentatives to the State Legislature, and St<ite railroad com- 
missioner at the time of his decease, in 1838. 



HARVEY WARNER, ESQ.,* 

one of the very oldest of the pioneers of Branch County, was 
born at Glen's Fulls, Warren Co., N. Y., April 5, 1809. 
In 1818 the family left that county and settled in the 
town of Penfield, Monroe Co., in the same State, soon after 
which the father died, leaving the family in rather limited 
circumstances. By this event Harvey was under the 
necessity of looking after his own fortune. Obtaining such 
limited education as he was able, he went at an early age 
to learn the carpenter and joiner trade, and made such 
proficiency that at the age of twenty he was a master 
workman. There was much talk at that time about the 
'• Michigan Territory," and the young man seizing the idea 
of emigrating to the wilds of the Territory, accordingly, 
July 12, 1830, found his feet treading the Indian trails of 
his future home. 

It was then that he began to fully realize that life is 
an active and earnest warfare. Stopping a short time in 
Tecumseh, then a mere hamlet, he pres.sed on the following 
winter to this beautiful valley, where he resolved to stop 
and commence life's work in earnest, and has lived in Cold- 
water township ever since, being the oldest inhabitant in 
the township. His services as a mechanic were soon 
brought into requisition, and he had the pleasure of erect- 
ing the first frame dwelling-house, as well as the first frame 
store, ever erected in Coldwater. A few years later he erec- 
ted the Methodist Episcopal church in Coldwater, which 
was the first and only church in the county for several 
years. 

At early morn and dewy eve the sound of his hammer 
was heard, intermingled with the sounds of his cheery 
laugh and jocund voice. But uflicial positions were to be 
filled, and the J'oung mechanic was soon favored with posts 
of honor and responsibility. He was the first postmaster in 
the township, having received his commission in January, 
1832, and served in that capacity a number of years. In 
1834, while Michigan was yet a Territory, he was commis- 
sioned a justice of the peace by the Governor and Legislative 



* Written by bis frieod, Hon. Harvey Haynes. 



160 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Council. After Michigan became a State, the people elected 
him to the same important position, which he continued to 
hold for twenty-four years, and during all this time he was 
emphatically a man of peace. In only one instance did he 
deviate from the golden rule, and we hope to be pardoned 
for referring to it. In the early settlement of one of the 
towns of the county there was a small church organized, 
but there was no place to hold their meetings except in a 
very rude log school-house, and one of the district board 
held the key, fully determined that this small Christian 
band should not occupy the same. 

In this dilemma good Deacon H. sought the advice of 
the young justice of the peace. His Honor refused to give 
advice (which was very proper), but, with a twinkle of his 
eye, said, " The members of your church and society own 
by far the larger part of that log house, and if I were in 
your place I would go on Sunday morning next and ask 
the director respectfully for the key ; if he refuses to give 



tice, when he repeated to them the conversation he had with 
the good deacon the previous week. This so overjoyed the 
attorney that his sides fairly shook with laughter, while the 
district officer took his hat and .sullenly left the office a 
wiser, if not a better, man. This is the only time the Es- 
quire was ever known to disregard the beautiful saying, 
" Blessed are the peace-makers," etc. 

In 1848, Mr. Warner was elected judge of probate for 
the county ; he was also re-elected in 1852, and during his 
eight years of service in that capacity no man ever looked 
after the business with more fidelity. He was also elected 
a delegate from Hillsdale and Branch Couaties to a conven- 
tion held in September, 1836, to take into consideration the 
propriety of our admission as a State by relinquishing our 
claim to the " disputed tract," upon which Toledo is situ- 
ated. He has also held the position of president of the 
village board before the town put on city airs. He is now, 
at the age of seventy, living on his beautiful farm, one mile 





Photos, by E. Kindmark, OoMwater, 



HARVEY WARNER, ESQ. 



MBS. HARVEY WARNER. 



it up, I would get several members of the church, and, with 
a good oaken rail, I would batter the door off its hinges and 
hold meetings as usual." No further suggestions were ne- 
cessary, for the good deacon was of the Cromwell stripe, who 
put their trust in God, but kept their powder dry. The 
next day the house was filled with ardent worshipers, and 
few meetings were ever held by the little church, we will 
venture to say, where each could sing, with more Christian 
devotion, — 

" Sh.all wc gather at the river," etc. 

Early on the following morning the district officer hast- 
ened to the village of Coldwater, sought the prosecuting 
attorney (the late Governor Coe), and the twain started for 
Esquire Warner's office, who, by the way, was anticipating 
a call from the litigious gentlemen, and was fully prepared 
for the emergency. After the usual salutation the busine.ss. 
that had brought them to the office was laid before the jus- 



south of the city, engaged largely in the cultivation of fruit. 
He is at present president of the Branch County Pioneer 
Society. In 1831 he married Miss Henrietta Anderson, 
one of those noble pioneer wives whose words of cheer and 
comfort often gladdened the hearts of their suffering neigh- 
bors. They have had six children, five of whom are now 
living. They have fourteen grandchildren and eight great- 
grandchildren. Their eldest daughter, Mrs. P. P. Wright, 
of New Jersey, was born May 25, 1832, and is the oldest 
living white child over born in Coldwater. When this 
child was but a few days old the father, with nearly all 
others who were old enough to bear arms, was summoned 
to the field in what was known as " Black Hawk's" war, 
leaving the women and children of the settlement to the 
tender mercies of the red man. 

This aged couple are now enjoying good health, Mrs. 
Warner doing the entire work of the household. 




fvlRS. ANDREW S.PARRtSH. 







€C 



'iy-r/' 



f 



RS ASA PARRfSH 



Photos Sv XimDmabk. Coluw^tew. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



161 



JAMES M. LONG, M.D., 

was born iu the city of New York, Nov. 14, 1828, of Eng- 
lish and Scotch-Irish parents. His u'nuulfather, on his 
father's side, was a ship-owner and shipping merchant, and 
possessed of large landed estates. His father and two 
brothers (of his father) entered college and graduated as 
physicians and surgeons. One of the brothers settled in 
London, the other in Liverpool, England, in the practice of 
their cho.sen profession, but his father .settled in New York 
City, in charge of the large shijiping interests of the firm. 




I li t I) ( Kin Iniiil,, < I hvuter. 
JAME.S M. LONU, M.D. 

In the year 1 833, at the age of five years, he accompanied 
his mother on a visit to" his grandfather, at Liverpool, 
where he remained for two years. On the death of his 
father he, witli his mother, returned to New York ; and in 
1837, on the death of his mother, he was left in care of an 
uncle, and in the same year removed to Windsor, Vt. At 
the age of sixteen, having chosen medicine as a profession, 
he entered the college ut Woodstock, Vt., graduating in 
1850, and married his present wife, Mary J. Emerson, at 
Keene, N. H., Nov. 27, 1851, locating in the practice of his 
profession in the city of New York. With a view of gaining 
a more perfect knowledge of surgery and its practice he 
matriculated in the Fourteenth Street Medical University, 
and also became a private student of the late Dr. Valentine 
Mott, attending two full courses of lectures, with free access 
to the hospitals. Continuing in the practice of his profes- 
sion, in the year 1857 he suffered severe losses by fire, and 
having about that time become interested in the West, 
removed to Detroit. His attention was drawn to homoe- 
opathy, and he became so strongly impressed in its favor that 
he became associated with Dr. Day, a homa'opathie physi- 
cian of considerable note, placing his knowledge and experi- 
ence in surgery against Dr. Day's knowledge and practice 
of honneopathy. This partnership proved both plea.sant and 
profitable, but, being discontinued, he wits induced to take 
the practice iu Coldwatcr vacated by Dr. White, and in the 
21 



year 1861 removed to Coldwater, where he has since con- 
tinued in active practice. Having been thoroughly pre- 
pared in the schools of medicine and surgery, endowed by 
the Creator with an active, well-balanced mental capacity, 
which is constantly gathering strength by daily experience, 
enabling him to render that enlightened and mature judg- 
ment so essential at the bedside of the sick, together with 
an ardent love for, and untiring devotion to, his chosen pro- 
fession, has early placed him in high esteem with the people. 
His practice has been large and varied. Frequent have 
been the calls from professional brethren for counsel, or 
from the sick for his .services, in neighboring towns or dis- 
tant cities. He is largely known and highly esteemed by 
leading men in his school of practice in and out of the 
State. 

As a citizen, he is ever solicitous for the public health, 
having served many years as a member of the city board of 
health, and ready to lend a helping hand, by material or 
personal aid, to every good enterprise calculated to benefit 
others or improve the city. 



ANDREAV S. PARKISII, 
the subject of this .sketch, was born Sept. 15, 1834, in the 
town of Mendon, Monroe Co., N. Y. In 1836 his father, 
Asa Parrish, moved with his family to what is now Cold- 
water, and was among the early settlers of that beautiful 
little city. Here Mr. Parrish grew to manhood, receiving 
such education as could be obtained at that early day. He 
early showed a natural ability as a mechanic, and he set 
himself to work to make himself a master of the trade he 
had chosen. So well did he apply himself, that he is now 
one of the best machinists and mechanical engineers to be 
found in our State. When the Rock Island and Illinois 
Central Railroads were built, he was employed by those 
companies, and was connected with the civil engineers in 
the construction and building of the same. Soon af^er 
the completion of these roads he was for six years a marine 
engineer. He is now, and has been for ten years, master 
foreman of the locomotive department of the Kalamazoo 
division of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Rail- 
road, located at White Pigeon, iu this State, which position 
he fills with marked ability. For many years Mr. Parrish 
has been a member of the Masonic order, and is now hold- 
ing the oflice of Junior Warden in Jacob's Commandery 
of Knights Templar, held at Coldwater. For his first wife 
he married Miss Sarah E. Hale, daughter of Andrew Hale. 
She was born in New York, Sept. 22, 1833, and died Sept. 
12, 1859. Their union was blessed with one child, Nellie 
E., who was born Nov. 25, 1858. On the 16th day of 
January, 1861, Mr. Parrish was again married ; his choice 
being Miss Sarah A. Wliitcomb, daughter of S. H. Whit- 
comb, one of the early settlers of Coldwater. Miss Whit- 
comb was born iu Vermont, Jan. 3, 1834. To Mr. ParrLsh 
and his second wife there has been born eight children, as 
follows: Asa L., born Feb. 13, 1862; Junior, born Sept. 
10, 1864; Eda A., born April 19, 1867 ; Laura D., born 
July 21, 1869; Tes.sy G., born Feb. 2, 1871 ; K. Otis, 
born Oct. 26, 1872; Ida Bell, born March 11, 1874; 
and Mer. C, boru May 10, 1876. Mr. Parrish and ftimily 



162 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



now reside at White Pigeon, where his duties demand his 
presence. But he still looks with pride and affection upon 
Branch County, the home of his childhood and young man- 
hood. In politics Mr. Parrish is an ardent Republican. 



ASA PARRISH 



was born at Mendon, N. Y., March 4, 1811, son of Abram 
Parrish, who raised a family of twelve children. Asa 
Parrish was married, in 1832, to Ann Eliza Sprague, sister 
of Dr. William B. Sprague, one of the early settlers of 
Coldwater. She died, Aug. 27, 1837, leaving two sons, — 
Andrew, who resides at White Pigeon, St. Joseph Co., and 
Abram, who died in 1844 when eight years of age. Mr. 
Parrish was married, Jan. 1, 1839, to Lois E. Gilbert, 
sister of William S. Gilbert. She came to Coldwater May, 
1838, and kept house for her brother, who married Mr. 
Parrish's sister at the same time and place. Mr. Parrish 
and his wife were members of the church in New York, and 
upon the organization of the Methodist Epi-scopal Church 
of Coldwater united with that body, where they became 
active and consistent members. He was a class-leader for 
many years. To them were born four children, three daugh- 
ters and one son. Lois E., wife of J. Mussoll White, of 
Chicago, is the only one now living. 

Mr. Parrish came to Coldwater in 183(J, and in the fall 
of that year contracted with Dougherty, Sprague & Co. to 
run a saw-mill they had just completed. Here he worked 
for a year or two. The demand for a furnace here was 
great ; there were no plows made at that time nearer than 
Ypsilanti. Mr. Parrish built the first furnace in Branch 
County ; with his limited means it was a large under- 
taking. Soon L. D. Crippin took an interest with him. 
A few years later he built a steam flouring-mill, with four 
run of stone. When the Michigan Southern Railroad was 
being built, he took contracts for building most of their 
important bridges, and also for the Michigan Central road, 
including the pile-bridge at the grand crossing, ten miles 
east of Chicago, which is three and three-fourths miles long. 
From this time Mr. Parrish's health gradually gave way, 
and he died Nov. 18, 1855. He was in politics a Whis;, 
and strongly favored the abolition of slavery. 



LORENZO D. HALSTED. 

One of the successful business men of this county, Lo- 
renzo D. Halsted, was born July 12, 1820, in Tompkins 
Co., N. Y. When Lorenzo was but five years old his 
mother died, and the family was practically broken up. 

At the age of ten years he went to reside with an uncle 
in Chemung Co., N. Y., and there at that early age was 
required to learn the tailor's trade, at which he worked 
diligently until he was a little past sixteen years of age, 
during which time he acquired a fair knowledge of the 
business. 

His uncle was so exacting with him that he resolved to 
leave and " paddle his own canoe." With just five dollars 
in his pocket, which he had earned by working over-hours 
at night, he took leave of his uncle, and wended his way 



to Albany, where he supposed he had a brother livino-. 
Arriving in the strange city, and not finding his brother, as 
he fondly hoped, and his money growing beautifully less, 
and too rapidly to suit his boyish ideas of economy, he re- 
solved to enlist in the navy, a recruiting-office for that arm 
of the government service having been established near by. 




'y0m/'' 



L. D. HALSTED. 

When the recruiting officer applied the standard, it was 
found that the young tailor wanted about two inches of 
reaching the required altitude. Where there is a will 
there is a way. Remembering that he had a sister in Cold- 
water, Mich., then a wUd wilderness country, he turned his 
face in that direction. By driving a horse on the tow-path 
of the Erie Canal, and thereby working his passage, he 
was enabled to reach Buffalo without further depleting his 
purse. 

Upon arriving in that city he boarded a steamboat, and 
by doing odd jobs paid his way to Detroit. 

When he reached that city, he came across a teamster 
who lived near Coldwater, and by keeping him company, 
walking most of the way, he reached the little inland 
vUlage Sept. 10, 1836, with a thimble and one lone dol- 
lar in his pocket. Soon after his arrival he commenced 
plying his needle ; but, as the people were poor, and many 
.sick, he struggled in the valley of poverty. March 8, 1843, 
he married Miss Laura Lake, who lived about fourteen 
years, when death entered the household and called her 
away. 

Dec. 8, 1858, he married Mrs. Loomis, daughter of 
Emerson Marsh, Esq., also a pioneer. About the time of 
his marriage with Miss Lake he established in a small way 
a ready-made clothing-store, and was thereby the pioneer in 
that branch of trade. By strict attention to business, 
coupled with industry and economy, he was soon on the 
road to competence. 

For twelve years he has added each year a house and lot 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COTTNTY, MICHIGAN. 



163 



to Lis possessions, taking his net profits only from his ex- 
tensive trade. To his large clothing husiness he has en- 
gaged extensively in the manufacture of furs with eminent 
success, thus .showing what may bo done from small begin- 
nings by industry, sobriety, and economy. Who that lias 



never attended school since he was eight years old could do 
better ? 

By his latter marriage he has had two children, — a son 
and a daughter ; the former of whom died when about two 
years old ; the latter, a young lady, Mi.ss Laura Halsted. 




///■/'i^^// 




Photos, by E. Kinilmark, Coldwatcr. 



K 



LDKE U. WIIITCOMB. 



MRS. L. H. WHITCOMB. 



LUKK II. WIIITCO.MB 
was born Feb. 6, 1808. He is the son of Zachius Whit- 
comb, of Brandon, Vt., who died there Feb. 25, 1830, 
leaving six children, — three sons and three daughters. The 
subject of this sketch began to learn the cabinet business 
when nineteen years of age. When he was twenty-two he 
commenced business for himself, at Brandon. Was married. 
May 26, 1831, to Miss Abigail McConnell, daughter of 
John MeConnell, of Rutland, Vt. In July, 1836, Mr. 
Whitconib came to Culdwater, where ho worked at his trade 
a short time, then commenced for himself, making sash and 
doors. William S. Gilbert soon arrived from Brandon, and 
they united their interests and added the manufacture of 
furniture to the small business just started by Mr. Whit- 
comb. The firm of Whitcomb & Gilbert continued some 
twelve years, and became an important industry in Branch 
County. Since that time Mr. Whitcomb has continued in 
the manufacturing business. 

Mr. Whitcomb came to Coldwater some two years -before 
he brought his family; meantime he had built a- house near 
where they now live. Here they commenced pioneer house- 
keeping, but .soon sickness entered their new home, and for 
several months they and their children were all sick, more 
or less ; but all recovered, and in after-years three other 
Children were born to them, being six in all, — three sons and 
three daughters. Marian B. married George Hawley, a 
farmer in Kansas; Sarah A. married Andrew Parrish, son 
of Asa Parrish, a prominent pioneer of Coldwater; William 
W. died April 28, 1862; Laura M. died Nov. 20, 1856; 



Edwin P. married Melissa Parker ; Mercelles L. married 
Augustus Gilmore. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb united with 
the Congregational Church at Brandon, and transferred 
their membership to the Presbyterian Church of Coldwater. 
They have always taken a deep interest in church matters. 
Mr. Whitcomb taught the first singing-school in Branch 
County, and for ten years was chorister in the Methodist 
church at Coldwater. 



WILLIAM S. GILBERT 

is one of the pioneers who have witnessed the tranforma- 
tion of the primeval forest into cultivated fields, and the 
growth of the city of Coldwater from a small hamlet. He 
was born in Warren, Vt., Nov. 23, 180D. When eighteen 
years of age he went to learn the carpenter and joiner 
trade, and followed that calling in his native town until 
1830, when he emigrated West. He worked on what is 
now the International Hotel at Niagara Falls for a time, 
and arrived at Coldwater Sept. 11, 1836. Here he formed 
a copartnership with L. H. Whitcomb for the manufacture 
of sash, doors, and furniture. This association was con- 
tinued some twelve years. In 1850 he engaged with Asa 
Parrish in the construction of railroad-bridg&s, and contin- 
ued in that occupation some four years, during which time 
they built .several of the most important bridges for the 
Michigan Southern and the Michigan Central Railroads. 
In 1854 he purchased a farm three miles from town, which 



A 



164 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



he carried on for seven years. Preferring mechanical work 
to the arduous labor of the farm, he returned to Coldwater 
and engaged in building houses for himself, erecting one 
each season for six consecutive seasons. 







WILLIAM S. GILBERT. 



Mr. Gilbert was married, Jan. 1, 1839, at Bronson, Mich., 
to Miss Hifnnah Parrish, sister of Asa Parrish, who was 
married at the same time and place to Lois E., sister of Mr. 
Gilbert. Mrs. Gilbert was the daughter of Abram Parrish, 
of Mendon, N. Y., where she was born, Sept. 20, 1816. 



She departed this life Dec. 10, 1878, leaving one son, Ed- 
ward P., who resides at Coldwater, having buried a daugh- 
ter in 1856. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert united with the Methodist Epis- 







MRS. WILLIAM S. GILBERT. 

copal Church in 1840, and soon took a prominent position 
in that body. Mr. Gilbert has been a class-leader for many 
years In social relations he is genial and companionable ; 
in business matters prompt and reliable ; as a citizen, re- 
spected and influential. 




riioto. by Jas. Tripp, Coldwater. 

JOHN ALLEN 

was born April 29, 1801, at Sudbury, Vt. He lived with 
his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. When 
he was twenty-two he married Miranda Kelsey, who died 
in 1825, leaving two children, — John E., who is a farmer 



in Coldwater, and Miranda C, who married Wallace M. 
Youngs. She died in 1851. Mr. Allen was married, in 
1826, to Ester Blackmer, of Brandon, Vt., with whom he 
lived for nearly forty years. She departed this life March 
25, 1866. BIr. Allen was married, Dec. 3, 1866, to Mrs. 
Britanna Phetteplace, formerly Miss Jackson, of Otsego, 
N. Y., she and her former husband having emigrated to 
Coldwater in 1836, where he died in 1S63. 

In 1832, Mr. Allen left his native town, and moved to 
Orleans Co., N. Y., where he purchased a farm and re- 
mained eleven years, when he sold out and came to Cold- 
water with his wife and ten children, arriving here Sept. 
27, 1843, and purchased one hundred acres of land, which 
included the present site of the Michigan Southern Railroad 
Depot grounds. When the depot was located, Mr. Allen 
sold out, September, 1855, and i>urchased the farm where 
he now resides. 

Farming has been the business of his life, and blooded 
stock his specialty. This he has exhibited at the State 
fairs some twenty years, and always secured premiums 
on his Devon cattle. He has been an active man in the 
County Agricultural Society, and is now president of the 
Branch County Insurance Company. In business matters 
he is prompt and reliable ; as a citizen, respected and 
influential. 



HISTORY 

OF THE 

TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES OF BRANCH COUNTY. 



OOLDWATEK. 



The township of Coldwater derives its chief interest from 
the city of Coldwater, which is located very nearly at its 
central point. Thus the early hi.story of the city is in a 
measure repeated in a review of the township history, the 
.same parties having been identified with both organizations 
and having been al.so active spirits in the growth and enter- 
prise of the one a.s of the other. 

We find that Abram F. Bolton and John Jlorse, who 
were with one exception the earliest settlers in the village 
of Coldwater, were also the early pioneers in the township. 
Col. Bolton purchased a tract of land, in 1S29, on the east 
side of the Coldwater River, where the Chicago road crosses 
it, and now comprised within the city limits. A year later 
he came to the township, but did not locate on his purchase, 
choosing another tract, on the east part of section 23. 
With him came his wife and John Morse and wife, the 
ladies having been sisters. On this location they erected 
the first house ever built on the Coldwater Prairie. It was 
a rough log cabin of two rooms, with an open space between 
them, which was roofed over and afterward inclosed. Here 
in June they opened a grand hotel, and it was indeed a very 
attractive resting-place to the weary traveler on the Chicago 
trail. There was at this time no house west of Reed's, at 
Marble Spring, ten miles east, and Bronson's, ten miles 
west. Here Bolton and Morse kept a house as celebrated 
on the Chicago trail as is the Palmer or the Grand Pacific 
in Chicago, a place where the worn and tired emigrant or 
land-hunter was certain to find a tempting repast and a most 
comfortable resting-place, accompanied always with a cordial 
greeting. In the spring of 1831, Col. Bolton removed with 
his family to his first purchase, and left Mr. Morse and 
family upon the prairie home. 

Throughout 1831 there was much travel on the Chicago 
trail or road, as it began to be called by emigrants to the 
Western prairies and land-seekers, and in June of that year 
a land-office wits established at White Pigeon by tlie govern- 
ment. In 18.'!0 a daughter was born in the family of Mr. 
and Mrs. Morse, whom they christened Henrietta, and who 
was the first white child of any settled resident in the town- 
ship. A Welsh family named Bonner had remained for a 
brief time in the Indian village on the east end of the 
prairie, and while there a child was born; but this family 
were not regarded as settlers, having soon after left the 



neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Morse were universal favor- 
ites with the travelers in this new country, for mine host 
was a man of most genial character, and could readily fur- 
nish an inspiring melody upon the clarionet, while his ex- 
cellent wife broiled the venison and supplied from her scanty 
store such a repast as would tempt the palate of an epicure. 
She had also the especial merit of getting it up quick. This 
famous host, finding a more favorable location desirable, 
finally purchased the ground now covered by the present 
Oriental Hotel in the city of Coldwater, and erected upon 
it a building which was for many years the most famous 
place of entertainment in the vicinity. 

As early as 1831, Masonville, on the Coldwater River, and 
now embraced within the city limits, was the point at which 
all the business enterprise and most of the emigration cen- 
tred. James B. Stuart and Roland Root were then actively 
engaged in trade, much of their traffic having been with 
the neighboring Indians. The preceding year a commission 
was appointed by the Governor and Legislative Council, con- 
sisting of Musgrove Evans, of Tecumseh, Reuben Pierce, 
of Clinton, and James Olds, of Jonesville, to locate a 
county-seat. Masonville seemed for a brief time destined 
to bear away the laurels, and the officials did indeed claim 
that the mandates of justice should be issued from within 
her boundaries ; but in their zeal to complete their labors 
the worthy members of the commission had forgotten to 
take the official oath, and their action was thus rendered 
void. A protest arose from the eastern part of the county, 
and a petition for a new commission was presented, which 
finally occasioned the removal of the county-seat to Branch, 
where it was ultimately established in 1832. With a site 
at once picturesque and possessing superior advantages of 
location, there were many indications that it would become 
not only the legislative seat but the centre of the commer- 
cial interests of the county, had not some slight circum- 
stances influenced its destiny and consigned it to a condi- 
tion of obscurity from which no future enterprise will ever 
rescue it. 

In the year 1832, Elisha Warren came with his family 
to the township and located at Branch, erecting a small 
dwelling. Soon after he brougiit from the East a limited 
stock of goods and opened a store in his house. The fol- 
lowing year the county treasurer, Seth Dunham, moved to 

165 



166 



HISTOliY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the settlement, having previously lociited at the mills known 
as the Poc;\hont;\s Mills. At this time Elisha Wiirrou. Soth 
Dunham, and Harvey Warner, with their faniilie.<. were the 
only residents of the hamlet. 

E. T. Paston came in lS3o and established a small .store, 
keeping sueh a limiteil supply as would s;uisfy the demands 
of the meagre population. The postmaster at this time 
was Harvey Warner, who at first settled at the river, but 
finally removed to Branch when the oflSee was established 
there. 

In the year 1S35 emigration greatly inereaseil, and Branch 
became for the time being a centre of trade. Among tlie 
new residents were Joel Burlingame, Pavid Pond. Charles 
P. West, and Louis Pollay. Robert and William Lind came 
at the same time and established a distillery. There being 
need of educational facilities for the younger and growing 
population, a school-house was built and the services of a 
teacher procured. Several mechanics and tradesmen were 
induced by the flattering future which w;is predicted for 
the new settlement to east their fortunes with tl\e pioneers, 
and for a time their hands were kept busily occupieil. Xo 
church had been built, service having been conducted in 
the school-house. The brief career of this little village 
was soon ended, a decree of the Legislature liaving fixed the 
county-se;»t at Coldwater, as more fully stated in the city- 
history. In 1842 it was officially located there, and Branch 
was doomed to a decline more speedy than its recent ganvth. 
Many of the buildings which had been so h;»stily erected 
were as hurriedly dismantled, and the material taken to 
various portions of the neighborhood to do duty in a simi- 
lar capacity. A few scattered houses, a grocery, and the 
vacant field where justice was dispensed from the primitive 
court-house l>ench, arc all that remixin of the early county- 
seat of Branch County. 

At the time that Branch was the county-seat, and bade 
fair to be the centre of commercial importance in the county, 
a ro;id was projected and built, running to the hauilct, the 
survey of which we append : 

'• Estahlishetl by the oommifsioner of highways of the toirnship of 
Coldwater, beginning at corners of seetious 4 ami 5, on the township 
line, between towns 4 and 5 south, range 6 west : thence south 26, west 
1S3 chains to a section line : thence south on section line ISO. 50 chains 
to Coldwater River: thence south 19, west 6.17; thence south 34, 
ea^t 33 to section line: thence south on section line 123 chains and 
60 links to the town line between towns o and 6 south : thence south 
on section line 53.00 chains: thence south 24, west 23.25 chains: 
theuce south 2S, east 21.50 to section line: theuce south on section 
line 140 chains to the Chicago road, 

" J.VMES B. ToMPKiss, Svmj/or. 

"M.IRT1N UiK.NH.VRT, i . . . 

" J AUKS B. TOMPKISS, J .' » J 

'•Joseph C. Cokbi-s, Totn Clrrt. 
"Cou>ytxTSB, March 29, 1S34." 

As the fortunes of the little settlement began to wane, 
a new roiid was projected, styled the Battle Creek Road. 
Three c^immissioners were appointed, vir., Matthew Brink, 
Justin Goodwin, and Sands McCamley, to make the survey 
and choose the route. They performed their labors in 
1S36, and a u^id beginning at the sonthe;ist corner of 
section 16, and running north and northwest through Cold- 
water, Girard, and Union, wsis marked out and completed. 



This road fimdly superseded the one built to Branch in 
1S34. 

As early as 1836 the township assumed the aspect of 
a well-populated district, many of the emigrants from the 
central :^nd western portions of New York State having 
cntereil lands and made for themselves homes. These 
settlers presented the advantages of the new country in so 
attractive a light to their E:istern friends desirous of moving 
Westward that they speedily followed them and became 
residents of the county. Among these early settlers were 
C. B. Peckham, who came fivm Cayug-a County and lo- 
cated one mile south of the city, Joseph ZelufFalso settling 
near him ; James Hayiies and his sons, who entered land 
in the north portion of the township ; Hart Warner and 
Wilson J. Cooley, who resided in the western part ; Elisha 
Warren, who settled in the southwest, as did ;dso John 
Canright and Isaac Middaugh. Rice Arnold, Abram C. 
Fisk, and Detman Tinkham purchased land on the eastern 
side of the township, Lemuel Bingh.am having located not 
far from them, as did also Christopher Hartsough. Curtis 
Prentice came in 1834 and chose a tract of land lying 
northeast, and James Fisk, Timothy Pheljvs, Reuben White- 
head, William Seovill, and Robert Waggott cleared lands 
in the southea-stern border. Clark II. Willi;tms, Kimball 
Parish, Daniel N. Wilson, and James R. Wilcox located in 
the south portion of the township. Francis Roberts and 
his two sons, John and Stephen, came and located on the 
southeast portion of what was known as Coldwater Prairie. 
Mr. John Roberts planted the first nursery, and may be 
regardetl as the pioneer nurseryman of the county. 

The following entries were made on grouud covered by 
the township : 

Loel Crane, $0 acres. May 3, 1S36. 

John Pow, 3255S(,i, acres, May 2, 1S36. 

John I1ow, S4^^-*5 acres. May 2, 1S36. 

!5.>imucl H. Hill, SO acres. May 2, 1S36. 

?.HmueI H. Hill, SO acres. May 2, IS36. 

John McMaun, SO acres, Nov. 12, 1S35. 

John McMaun, SO acres, Xov. 12, 1S35. 

William McC^rty, SO acres, Dec. 11, 1S35, 

.^ilas Crane, 40 acres, April 21, 1S36. 

Silas Cniue, 40 acres, April 21, 1S36. 

John McMahon, SO acres, April 2S, 1S36. 

Rl. H. Macy, 40 acres, April 29, 1S36. 

Kd. U. Macy, S4j=,65 acres, April 29, 1S36. 

H. G. Rice, 40 acre-s July 13, 1S36. 

.\llen Tibbct.s SO .>»cre.s June 12, 1S35. 

Philo Dibble. 164yj,, acres, Sept. 25, ISSo. 

Peter Maitin, SO acres, Oct. 10, 1S35. 

IVter Martin, SO acres, Xov, IS, 1S35. 

Selleck Seymour, 40 acres, Xov. 23, 1S35. 

\Vm. MeCarty, 40 acres, Dec. 11, lS3i, 

Margaret Cross, 162^^^ acres. March 2S, 1$36. 

Wm. M. Fuller, SO acres, June 12, 1S35. 

Lorenio D, Crippen and Philo H. Crippen, 160 acres, June 12, 

1S35. 
Joseph Tillon, 163^^. acres. July 13, 1S35, 
Joseph Tilton, SO acres, July 13, 1S35. 
Joseph Tilton, SO .icres, July 13, 1S35. 
Philo Dibble, 84j»,*, acre.s Sept. 25, 1S35. 
Joseph Tilton, 66^^g acres, July 13, 1S85. 
Selleck Seymour, 11"^^ acres, Nov. 23, 1S35. 
Wm. M. Watkins, S6,Vo acres, Feb. 14, 1537. 
Hiram Donaldson, S2j'j,''5 acres, March 9, 1S37. 
Lewis Smith, SO ai-res, .\pril 13, lSo7. 
Wm. W. Tilton and George W. Tilton, li>3jV^ acres, June .3, 1S37. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



167 



- Jnmes H. Hanchctt, 10 acres, July 13, 1833. 




Charlotte Smith, 80 acres, Juno 12, 1851. 






Diivid St. John, 10 ncres, Sept. 2'J, 1835. 




,1. W. Kinnen, 40 acres, Aug. 5, 1851. 






Oeorgo Ileyilen, 10 acres, Feb. 29, 1836. 




C. S. Tucker, 40 acres, Oct. 30, 1851. 






George llcyilcn. 40 acres, Feb. 29, 1830. 




L. T. N. Wilson and W. M. McCarty, 40 acres. 


May 16, 


1852. 


Isaac liarnhart, Jr., 81,'|,«(5 acres, Miircb 28, 1836. 




H. Hayncs, 40 acres, Dec. 11, 1852. 






Mahlon liariiliurl, SO acres, July 16, 1836. 




P. P. Wright, 40 acres, Deo. 24, 1852. 






Thos. Doughcrly, 80 acres, Nov. 17, 1S36. 




A. C. Gardner, 40 acres, Jan. 3, 1853. 






R. J. Champion, 10 acres, June 22, 1837. 




P. P. Wright, 40 acres, Feb. 1, 1853. 






Lorenno l>. Crippen, 40 acres, April 1, 1847. 




W. 11. Anderson, 40 acres, Nov. 14, 1853. 






Jesse Brooks, 40 acres, June 11, 1835. 




(Jillnian Davis, 40 acres, Nov. 2, 1853. 






Jesse Brooks, 40 acres, June 11, 1835. 




(iillman Davis, 40 acres, Nov. 2, 1853. 






Jesse Brooks, 160 acres, Juno 11, 1835. 




liillman Davis, 40 acres, Nov. 2, 1853. 






Joseph (iiles, 40 acres, Juno 12, 1835. 




Abram F. Bolton, 119^ acres, Dec. 21, 1829. 






llamilton Smith, 80 acres, Juno 16, 1835. 




John West, 40/4 acres, Nov. 6, 1835. 






Jesse Brooks, 80 acres, July 16, 1835. 




John Cooloy, 80 acres, Feb. 24, 1834. 






Samuel Brooks, 40 acres, July 15, 1835. 




John Cooley, 40 acres, June 16, 1835. 






Parley Stockwcll, 40 acres, Aug. 27, 1835. 




Joel Woodward, 160 acres, Aug. 15, 1835. 






Wm. 11. Cross, 40 acres, Oct. 22, 1835. 




William Rood, 80 acres, Oct. 22, 1S35. 






Edward Campbell, 40 acres, Oct. 30, 1835. 




Lyman Sherman, 80 acres, Oct. 31, 1835. 






Kdward Campbell, 40 acres, Oct. 30, 1835. 




John West, 40 acres, Nov. 6, 1835. 






Seymour L. Bingham, 64J acres, July 28, 1835. 




Hart Warren, 40 acres, Nov. 10, 1835. 






James B. Stewart, -i^^^a "ores, Aug. 10, 1835. 




Solomon White, 40 acres, July 18, 1836. 






Win. 11. Cross, 146,^, acres, Oct. 22, 1835. 




L. D. and P. U. Crippen, 40 acres, July 18, 1836. 




Peter Martin, C5,»,)'j) acres, Nov. IS, 1835. 




R. J. Champion, 40 acres, July 7, 1837. 






Jesse Smith, oi^^^ acres, Feb. 29, 1836. 




E. S. Sibley and D. G. Jones, 80 acres, June 6, 


1S3I. 




.Martin Barnhart and Benj. U. Smith, 80 acres, Oct. 4, 


is:il. 


Lorenzo Pratt, 80 acres, July 29, 1831. 






Elisha Warren. SO acres, Oct. 8, 1831. 




Wm. 11. Cross, 80 acres, Aug. 27, 1S31. 






William .Martin, ICO acres, July 8, 1834. 




Elisha Warren, SO acres, Oct. 8, 1831. 






AVilliani Martin, 40 acres, July 8, 1834. 




Elisha Warren, 80 acres, Oct. 8, 1831. 






Peter Martin, 40 acres, Sept. 6, 1834. 




Harvey Warner, 40 acres, Jan. 7, 1833. 






Peter Martin, 40 acres, Oct. 14, 1834. 




Isaac Bowers, 40 acres, Jan. 7, 1833. 






Peter Martin, 40 acres, June 12, 1835. 




James H. Ilauchett, 40 acres, June 19, 1.S33. 






Peter Martin, SO acres, Oct. 10, 1835. 




Charles Fletcher, 80 acres, Sept. 5, 1833. 






L. D. Crippen and Philo H. Crippen, 80 acres, Dec. 11 


1S35. 


Philip Olmsted, 40 acres, Feb. 24, 1834. 






— George Ilauchett, 40 acres, June 11, 1832. 




Isaac Mi<ldough, 53/„5u acres, Oct. 3, 1834. 






Wm. Martin, 40 acres, July 8, 1834. 




Oliver Johnson, ^Sf^^ acres, June 3, 1835. 






Chauncey Strong, SO acres, Aug. 15, 1835. 




L. I), and P. II. Crippen, Rl^o'is 'icres, July 18, 


1S35. 




L. I), and P. 11. Crippen, 80 acres, Oct. 15, 1835. 




James Buggies, lOOf^'j acres, Dec. 18, 1835. 






David Hayncs, SO acres, Sept. 16, 1835. 




Wm. H. Cross, 532"^^^ acres, Jan. 6, 1836. 






Peter Martin, 80 acres, Oct. 10, 1835. 




Dewitt C. Ransom, 40 acres, Aug. 8,1837. 






Hiram Barnes, 160 acres, Nov. 23, 1835. 




Joseph Iliekox, SO acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 






Margaret Cross, SO acres. May 15, 1834. 




John C. Curtis, 40 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 






Abram C. Fisk, 40 acres, Sept. 28, 1835. 




P. H. Crippen, Zf^^^ acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 






AVni. B. Whitehead, 40 acres, Sept. 28, 1835. 




Francis Smith, SO acres, Deo. 2, 1840. 






Peter Martin, SO acres, Oct. 10, 1S36. 




Barnabas Wing, 40 acres, Aug. 27, 1841. 






John Pcarsall, 40 acres, Oct. 31, 1835. 




Sophia Thurber, 33^6^ acres, Oct. 2S, 1842. 






Caleb T. Fuller, 80 acre.s, Nov. 12, 1835. 




D. Dinsmore, 40 acres, June 7, IS44. 






Sylvester Smith, 160 acres, Nov. 12, 1835. 




Jesse Mason, 80 acres, June I, 1844. 






Lyman Chapin and J. L. Ratbbonc, 160 acres, Feb. 15, 


1836. 


G. W. Nc^ycomb, 46i«(,-^ acres, Jan. 28, 1S47. 






Henry Bucll, 40 acres, Feb. 17, 1836. 




H. F. Babcock, 40 acres, Aug. 4, 1S49. 






John Pcarsall, 40 acres, Oct. 31, 1835. 




11. F. Babcock, 40 acres, Aug. 13, 1S49. 






George Fowler, 160 acres, Nov. 28, 1835. 




C. B. Williams, 40 acres, March 3, 1853. 






Henry Bucll, 80 acres, Feb. 17, 1836. 




Chas. Sutfin, 40 acres, March 10, 1853. 






Warren Bill, SO acres. May 3, 1836. 




Nelson Baker, 40 acres, Oct. 31, 1853. 






Alanson Sumner, 160 acres, and Stephen Clurk, 80 acres. May 6, 


Enoch Foster, 40 acres, Nov. 12, 1853. 






1836. 




Matthew Brink, 40 acres, April 9, 1835. 






Oliver Miller, 40 acres, May 11, 1S36. 




Allen Tibbets, 40 acres, Juno 12, 1835. 






A.J. Lock, 40 acres, Aug. 5, 1851. 




Henry McConnell, 40 acres, Oct. 12, 18.35. 






M. Sutan, 40 acres, Nov. 20, 1852. 




Allen Tibbets, SO acres, Oct. 22, 1835. 






Orsamus B. Clark, 40 acres, Jan. 3, 1853. 




Allen Tibbets, 80 acres, Oct. 22, 1835. 






Ira AV. Pratt, 40 acres, Jan. 3, 1853. 




Allen Tibbets, 80 acres, Oct 22, 1835. 






Wm. A. .-Vnderson, 40 acres, Jan. 27, 1853. 




Wm. Johnson, 40 acres, Nov, 6, 1835. 






0. B. Clark, 40 acres, Feb. U, 1853. 




Abraham Phillips, 80 acres, April 23, 1836. 






J. U. Carnoothwick, 40 acres, March 10, 1853. 




Prince Arnold, 160 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. 






Amos Lock, 40 acres, April 19, 1853. 




Prince Arnold, 40 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. 






U. Sbandlor, 40 acres, Aug. 19, 1853. 




Rice Arnold, Jr., 40 acres, Sept. 28, 1835. 






ClinUm B. Fisk, 40 aore-s, Oct. 15, 1853. 




Francis Roberts, 80 acres, Oct. 1.3, 1835. 






Perry Smith, 40 acres, Oct. 22, 1853. 




Aaron Packer, 40 acres, Oct. 13, 1835. 






A. A. Carnoothwick, 40 acres, Oct. 29, 1853. 




John Packer, 40 acres, Oct. 13, 1835. 






0. B. Clark, 40 acres, Nov. 2, 1853. 




Allen Tibbets, 40 acres, Oct. 22, 1835. 






S. Wing, 40 acres, Dec. 31, 1853. 




Wm. P. Arnold, 40 acres, Oct. 29, 1835. 






A. A. Carnoothwick, 40 acres, Jan. 6, 1854. 




Reuben Whitehead, 80 acres, Nov. 7, 1835. 






C. B. Fisk, 40 acres, Jan. 23, 1854. 




John G. Warren, 40 acres. Nov. 16, 1835. 






Justin Prentice, 40 acres, March 25, IS 14. 




John (i. Warren, 40 acres, Nov. 16, 1835. 






J. Jl. Beach, SO acres. May 13, 1851. 




Henry McConnell, 40 acres, Jan. 19, 1836. 







168 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Henry MoConnell, 40 acres, Jan. 19, 1836. 

Thos. Dougherty, SO acres, March 9, 1836. 

Thos. Dougherty, 40 acres, March 9, 1836. 

Francis Smith, SO acres, July 18, 1835. 

L. D. Crippen, 80 acres, Aug. 15, 1835. 

P. H. Crippen, SO acres, Aug. 15, 1S35. 

Israel Millard, 80 acres, Sept. 28, 1835. 

Israel Millard, 40 acres, Sept. 28, 1835. 

Parley Stockwell, 40 acres, Sept. 28, 1835. 

Darwin Littlefield, 40 acres, Oct. 22, 1835. 

Reuben Whitehead, 40 acres, Nov. 7, 1835. 

Parley Stockwell, 40 acres, Nov. 7, 1 S35. 

Canfield Fisk, 40 acres, Nov. 7, 1836. 

James H. Hanchett, 80 acres, Jan. 6, 1836. 

Hiram Alden, SO acres, Oct. 9, 1834. 

Ephraim Preiss, 40 acres, Nov. 18, 1834. 

Parley Stockwell, 40 acres, June 16, 1835. 

Elisha Jennings, 40 acres, June 24, 1835. 

Wm. D. Strong, 40 acres, June 24, 1835. 

Elij.ah Ferguson, 40 acres, June 24, 1835. 

Lucas Withington, 40 acres, July 7, 1835. 

Moses Hawks, 40 acres, July 21, 1835. 

John Carnrike, 80 acres, July 22, 1835. 

Francis Smith, SO acres, Nov. 7, 1835. 

Marcus Tcrwilliger, 40 acres, Dec. 14, 1835. 

Philo H. Crippen, 40 acres, March 9, 1836. 

Chas. Gr. Johnson, SO acres, June 9, 1834. 

Henry Disbrow, 80 acres, June 9, 1834. 

Ebenezer Marsh, o^-f^^ acres, Nov. 1, 1834. 

Oliver Johnson, 160 acres, June 3, 1835. 

John Carnrike, 60^"^ acres, July 22, 1835. 

John West, 60^% acres, Nov. 6, 1835. 

Parley Stockwell, 105-^^ acres, Nov. 7, 1835. 

Francis Smith, 533-1^ acres, Nov. 7, 1835. 

Thomas Toole, SO .acres, Jan. 8, 1830. 

E. S. Sibley and D. U. Jones, SO acres, June 6, 1831. 

Abram F. Bolton, SO acres, Sept. 3, 1831. 

Abram F. Bolton and Jeremiah Tillotson, SO acres, Oct. S, 1831. 

Elisha Warren, 80 acres, Oct. S, 1831. 

Robert Clark, Jr., 80 acres, Oct. 8, 1831. 

James S. Brooks, 40 acres, June 7, 1834. 

Hiram Smith, 80 acres. May 30, 1S35. 

Jacob Hamlin, 40 acres, Oct. 17, 1835. 

B. Warner, 40 acres. May 11, 1835. 

Oliver Johnson, 80 acres, June 3, 1835. 

Oliver Johnson, 80 acres, June 3, 1835. 

Herman Keyes, SO acres, June 29, 1835. 

Henry C. Billings, 40 acres, Sept. 15, 1835. 

Henry C. Billings, 80 acres, Sept. 15, 1835. 

Henry C. Billings, 80 acres, Sept. 15, 1835. 

Henry C. Billings, SO acres, Sept. 15, 1835. 

Henry C. Billings, 80 acres, Sept. 15, 1835. 

Herman Keyes, 160 acres, June 29, 1S35. 

Henry 0. Billings, 160 acres, Sept. 15, 1S35. 

Henry C. Billings, 105 acres, Sept. 15, 1835. 

Joseph W. Zelaff, 40 acres, July 30, 1S35. 

Parley Stockwell, 40 acres, Aug. 27, 1S35. 

Parley Stockwell, 121j*;^ acres, Nov. 7, 1835. 

Parley Stockwell, 104^5385 acres, Nov. 7, 1S35. 

0. C. Nichols, SO acres, Sept. 5, 1835. 

Richard J. Paddick, 80 acres, Sept. 5, 1835. 

Samuel Narramore, 80 acres, Sept. 28, 1835. 

Oliver Johnson, SO acres, Sept. 17, 1835. 

Jacob B. Smith, SO acres, Sept. 29, 1835. 

James Alosher, SO acres, Nov. 7, 1835. 

Lorenzo D. Crippen and Philo H. Crippen, 80 acres, July 19, 1836. 

John Terwilligcr, SO acres, Oct. 15, 1835. 

Lyman Conerse, 40 acres, Oct. 19, 1835. 

Lyman Conerse, 40 acres, Oct. 19, 1835. 

Daniel Parsons, 40 acres, Nov. 17, 1835. 

Thomas V. Ladd, 40 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. 

0. S. Van Derheyden, 40 acres, Deo. 12, 1835. 

0. S. Van Derheyden, 40 acres, Dec. 12, 1835. 

L. D. and P. H. Crippen, SO acres, Jan. 21, 1836. 

Philo H. Crippen, 80 acres, Jan. 22, 1836. 



Benj. Huntington, 40 acres. May 16, 1836. 
Jonathan Jackson, 40 acres, Feb. 10, 1837. 
Philo H. Crippen, 40 acres, March 28, 1836. 
Henry McConnell, SO acres, Oct. 12, 1835. 
John Pearsall, SO acres, Oct. 21, 1S35. 
Henry McConnell, SO acres, Oct. 29, 1835. 
Lym.an Sherman, SO acres, Oct. 31, 1835. 
Robert Patrick, SO .acres, Oct. 31, 1835. 
John Pearsall, 80 acres, Nov. 6, 1835. 
."ilvin B. Hand, 80 acres, Jan. 15, 1836. 
Bradley Crippen, SO acres. May IS, 1836. 
Henry McConnell, SO acres, Oct. 12, 1835. 
John Pearsall, 80 acres, Oct. 21, 1835. 
John Hopkins, SO acres, Oct. 31, 1835. 
William Johnson, 40 acres, Nov. 6, 1835. 
Thomas Armstrong, SO acres, April 23, 1S36. 
John 0. Pelton, SO acres, March 9, 1837. 
Henry McConnell, 40 acres, June 12, 1837. 
Walter H. Pelton, 40 .acres, Nov. 17, 1852. 
Walter H. Pelton, 40 acres, Nov. 17, 1852. 
Peter Fox, 40 acres, Dec. 13, 1852. 

During tlie early settlement of the township, the pres- 
ence of the Indian was not uncommon, several bands of the 
Pottawattamies still continuing to roam the forests and 
plant their wigwams within sight of their white neighbors. 
They kept up a regular system of trading with the settlers, 
and gradually became very familiar in their intercourse with 
them. A very vivid recollection of this tribe is retained 
by the older residents of the township, who did much in the 
way of barter with them. 

The chief of these bands was Sau-au-quette, who ex- 
ercised a most imperious sway over his followers, which 
was the more galling from the fact that the position of 
hereditary chief was never conceded to him, and few of the 
tribe regarded him other than as a usurper. The fear that 
this chief inspired, and the arrogance with which he wielded 
the dictatorial power he had assumed, inspired a desire on the 
part of the bands to rid themselves of the yoke of bondage 
he had fastened upon them. This disaffection was height- 
ened by the fact that he had been a leading spirit in the 
treaty which had ceded their lands to the government, and 
the additional fact that he was a member of the tribe of the 
Ottaicas. One of the older settlers describes him as a man 
of majestic mien and commanding presence, possessing a 
will that acknowledged no superior, and a firm conviction 
that he was born to rule. With a few members of his own 
tribe he was spending a brief time among the bands in the 
vicinity, and had located his encampment just northwest of 
the city. 

One of the tribe, moved by a spirit of revenge and in- 
spired by frequent draughts of bad whisky, arose, and 
seeking the wigwam of the chief, seized the knife he was 
accustomed to carry and plunged it to his heart. Much 
consternation ensued ; the wanderer was arrested and lodged 
in the jail, then located at Branch. His friends became 
greatly incensed at this, and threatened to demolish the 
building unless he was speedily released. After a confine- 
ment of several months, during which time no active meas- 
ures were taken to visit punishment upon the offender, he 
was allowed his liberty. This action was based upon the 
policy of the government not to interfere in the quarrels of 
the Indians so long as they were peaceable in their relations 
with the whites. 

Dr. I. P. Alger, of Coldwater, has .shown the writer a 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIUAN. 



169 



knife and other implements of war carried by Sau-au-quette, 
the first of which he believes to be the identical knife by 
which the usurper met his fate. 

The summer of 1856 was rendered memorable as the 
smoky season, from the burning of the pine lands in adja- 
cent parts of the State. It continued for a period of two 
months, and at times the smoke was so dense as to obscure 
the sun for days, while it was impossible to discern objects 
but a slight distance away. 

The county house and farm are established inJhe town- 
ship of Coldwater, in the north-central portion, on section 
9, and embrace capacious and well-appointed buildings and 
140 acres of excellent land. The southern portion is trav- 
ersed by the Lake Siiore and Michigan Southern llsiilroad, 
which i-uns east and west, having its nearest depot in the 
city of Coldwater. Another railroad, styled the Mansfield, 
Coldwater and Lake Michigan Railroad, was projected, its 
course being north and south through the township, and 
bonds for its construction were issued. The road never ap- 
proached completion farther than grading and bridging, and 
has at this writing no existence other than is traced upon 
county maps, or reminders to the stockholders in the shape 
of unmarketable bonds. 

The surface of Coldwater township is undulating, the 
prairie land being varied by occasional declivities, and 
being composed of equal portions of cleared and timber 
land. 

It has two lakes. Long Lake being a small sheet of 
water on the western border of the territory, and Coldwater 
Lake, which, with its bayous, forms a considerable sheet of 
water. This in winter forms a splendid track for the exer- 
cise of the many fine horses in the vicinity, and is the 
scene of many very spirited encounters, while the water 
affords in the summer very fine sport to the lover of pis- 
catorial pleasures. 

The soil is a gravelly loam, with occasional croppings of 
clay, and the abundant harvests it yields are evidence of its 
superior quality. We append a list of the township offi- 
cers since its organization : 

At the first annual meeting of the township of Cold- 
water, the following officers were elected for the year 1833 : 
Silas A. Holbrook, Supervisor ; Joseph C. Corbus, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Allen Tibbets, John Corbus, Seth Dunham, 
Assessors; Robert J. Cross, Justice of the Peace; James 
B. Tompkins, Martin Barnhart, Lemuel Bingham, Com- 
missioners of Highways ; Seymour L. Bingham, Collector; 
S. L. Bingham, Constable ; William II. ('ross, Seth Dun- 
ham, Allen Tibbets, Enoch Chase, James B. Tompkins, 
Martin Barnhart, School Inspectors ; Lemuel Bingham, 
Director of the Poor ; Robert J. Cross, Treasurer. 

183-1. — James B. Steward, Supervisor ; Wni. H. Cross, 
Township Clerk; Seymour L. Bingham, Peter Martin, 
Hart Warren, A.ss&ssors; John Wilson. John Morse, Wil- 
liam P. Arnold, Commissioners of Highways; Seymour L. 
Bingham, Constable and Collector; Lemuel Bingham, 
" Joseph Hanchett, Directors of the Poor ; William McClerg, 
William H. Cro.ss, John Wil-son, Commissioners of Schools; 
Seth Dunham, Glover Hibbard, Allen Tibbets, Rice Arnold, 
William McClerg, Inspectors of Schools ; Martin IJarnhart, 
Corouer. 
22 



1835. — Matthew Brink, Supervisor; William II. Cross, 
Township Clerk ; John Wilson, Christopher Hartsough, 
Klisha Warren, Assessors ; William P. Arnold, Harvey 
Warner, William II. Cross, Commissioners of- Highways ; 
Seymour L. Bingham, Collector ; Joseph Hanchett, Lemuel 
Bingham, Directors of the Poor; Seymour L. Bingham, 
Edwin Milbourn, ('onstablns ; Allen Tibbets, Matthew 
Brink, Hiram Allen, Walter Loomis, Silas A. Holbrook, 
John Cooley, Overseers of Highways. 

1836.— Allen Tibbets, Supervisor ; William B. Sprague, 
Township Clerk ; Christopher IIart«ough, Daniel Bronson, 
B. Lanipson, Hart Warren, Assessors ; John Wilson, Har- 
vey Warner, John Cooley, Commissioners of Highways ; 
Edward Paxton, Collector; John Wilson, Rice Arnold, J. 
Conger, Commissioners of Schools ; Lemuel Bingham, 
Joseph Hanchett, Directors of the Poor ; Edward Paxton, 
Harvey Bronson, John B. Hartsough, Elmon Packer, 
Constables. 

1837. — William H. Cross, Supervisor ; Hiram Shoudler, 
Township Clerk ; Jared Pond, Jotham Conger, L. D. Crip- 
pen, Assessors ; Philo H. Crippen, Treasurer ; Lewis Pal- 
loy, Charles P. West, Edmund Sloan, Commissioners of 
Highways; Edward Paxton, Collector; Matthew Brink, 
Justice of the Peace ; Edward Paxton, James Pierson, 
Nelson Card, Elmon Packer, Constables ; Ezeck Phette- 
place, Ira Paddock, Allen Tibbets, Inspectors of Schools; 
Joel Burlingame, James Fisk, Directors of the Poor. 

1838. — The record is incomplete, giving only Harvey 
Warner as Justice of the Peace, and E. A. Warner as 
Township Clerk. 

1839. — Reuben J. Champion, Supervisor; Edward A. 
Warner, Town.ship Clerk ; Charles P. West, Justice of the 
Peace ; Silas A. Holbrook, Treasurer ; Dewitt C. Ransom, 
Lorenzo D. Crippen, Philo H. Crippen, Asses.sors ; James 
Shoecroft, Samuel S. Curtis, Commissioners of Highways ; 
Henry B. Stillman, Allen Tibbets, Henry Buel, Inspectors 
of Schools ; Ira R. Paddock, Luther Stiles, Directors of 
Poor ; James Pierson, Collector ; Anselm Arnold, Eli;is 
Wilbur, Constables. 

1840. — Jared Pond, Supervisor; Edward A. Warner, 
Township Clerk ; Lorenzo D. Crippen, Justice of the 
Peace ; Dewitt C. Ransom, Charles P. West, Henry Lock- 
wood, Assessors : William McCarty, Treasurer ; Henry B. 
Stillman, Albert Chandler, Abram Deyo, Inspectors of 
Schools ; Elijah Ferguson, Edward W. Phetteplace, Philo 
H. Crippen, Commissioners of Highways ; Jacob Hamblin, 
John T. Haynes, Directors of Poor ; James Shoecrofl, 
Collector ; Oliver P. W;isson, Elias Wilbur, James Shoe- 
croft, Constables. 

1841. — Elijah Ferguson, Supervisor ; Henry Lockwood, 
Township Clerk ; James Fisk, Treasurer ; A. T. Herrick, 
Sellick Seymour, Albert Chandler, Assessors ; Dewitt C. 
Ransom, Edward A. Warner, Darwin Littlefield, School 
Inspectors; John T. Ilaynes, John J. Curtis, Directors of 
the Poor; James Shoecroft, Collector; Joseph H. Moss, 
Edward W. Phetteplace, Marcus Scovill, Highway Com- 
missioners ; Harvey Warner, Justice of the Peace ; Wm. 
II. Draft and Jared Pond, ditto, to fill vacancy ; James 
Shoecroft, Ezra T. Faxtmi, Thomas Foster, Ansi-lni .VriKild, 
Constables. 



170 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



•1842. — Dewitt C. Ransom, Supervisor; Clark Williams, 
Township Clerk ; James Shoecroft, Treasurer ; William 
H. Cross, Justice of the Peace ; Henry Buell, Matthew 
Gill, Jr., Darwin Littlefield, Inspectors of Schools ; Reuben 
Whitehead, Augustin J. Goddard, Commissioners of High- 
ways ; L. D. Crippen, Jesse Brooks, Assistant A.ssessors; 
Jacob Hamblin, Burt Etheredge, Overseers of the Poor ; 
Ezra T. Faxton, Hiram Aldeu, James Peirson, Anselm 
Arnold, Constables. 

1843. — Henry Lock wood, Supervisor; Geo. A. Coe, 
Township Clerk ; Harvey Dixon, Treasurer ; Clark H. 
Williams, Justice of the Peace; Silas A. Holbrook, Wil- 
liam H. Hanchett, Inspectors of Schools ; Sellick Seymour, 
Augustus T. Goddard, Curti.ss Prentice, Commissioners of 
Highways ; Edward W. Phetteplace, Roland Root, Assist- 
ant Assessors; John T. Haynes, Esbon G. Fuller, Overseers 
of Poor ; Anselm Arnold, Jonathan Packer, George Quick, 
David Haynes, Constables. 

1844. — Christoplier Dickenson, Supervisor ; Albert Chan- 
dler, Township Clerk ; David S. Williams, Treasurer ; Oliver 
P. Wasson, Justice of the Peace; Darwin Littlefield, School 
Inspector; Edward W. Phetteplace, Warren Sampson, As- 
sessors ; George Haydon, William Keyes, Reuben White- 
head, Commissioners of Highways ; William McCarty, 
Abram C. Fisk, Overseers of Poor ; Kimball Parish, 
Aaron Keyes, George Quick, William H. Kellogg, Con- 
stables. 

1845. — Lorenzo D. Crippen, Supervisor; John D. Wood, 
Township Clerk ; George A. Kellogg, Treasurer ; Harvey 
Warner, Justice of the Peace; John Waterman, Inspector 
of Schools ; James Shoecroft, Jacob Hamblin, Assistant 
Assessors ; Joseph H. Moss, William Keyes, Daniel N. 
Wilson, Commissioners of Highways; Dorset J. GofF, 
James Mosher, Directors of the Poor ; David Wood, 
James N. Pierce, William H. Kellogg, Abram C. Fisk, 
Constables. 

1846. — David R. Cooley, Supervisor; S. S. Cutter, 
Township Clerk ; David S. Williams, Treasurer ; George 
A. Coe, Justice of the Peace ; John Root, School Inspec- 
tor ; Curtiss Prentice, Joseph H. Moss, Assistant Assessors; 
Jonathan Strickland, William Keyes, Daniel Wilson, Com- 
missioners of Highways ; Dorset J. Goff, James Mosher, 
Directors of Poor ; Sterling Perkins, Amos W. Parish, 
Hiram R. Alden, George Quick, Constables. 

1847 — Henry Lockwood, Supervisor ; Elon G. Parson, 
Township Clerk; Hiram R. Alden, Treasurer; George A. 
Kellogg, Justice of the Peace ; Henry Buell, School In- 
spector ; Oliver P. Wasson, Joseph H. Moss, Assessors ; 
William Keyes, Jonathan Stockton, William B. Paddock, 
Commissioners of Highways ; Dorset Goif, James 3Iosher, 
Directors of the Poor ; Elijah Perry, Abram C. Fisk, 
George Quick, Chas. G. Kenyon, Constables. 

1848. — Henry Lockwood, Supervisor; Elon G. Parsons, 
Township Clerk ; A. Arnold, Treasurer ; Oliver P. Wasson, 
Justice of the Peace; Isaac Middaugh, Dewitt C. Ransom, 
Commissioners of Highways ; Albert Chandler, School In- 
spector ; Harvey Haines, Thomas J. Bridge, Assessors ; 
Edmund Chapman, Oliver S. Van Derheyden, Directors of 
Poor ; A. Arnold, Abram C. Fisk, Alpheus B. P. Wood, 
Tliomas J. Bridge, Constables. 



1849. — Henry Lockwood, Supervisor; Frederick V. 
Smith, Township Clerk ; Anselm Arnold, Treasurer ; Har- 
vey Warner, Justice of the Peace ; Jonathan Strickland, 
John Allen, Commissioners of Highways ; James W. Gil- 
bert, School Inspector; Harvey Haynes, Thomas J. Bridge, 
Assessors ; Augustus S. Glessner, Henry C. Lewis, Direc- 
tors of Poor ; Henry Lockwood, Anselm Arnold, Thomas 
J. Bridge, Dorset J. Goflf, Constables. 

1850. — Asa Parish, Supervisor ; Daniel C. Morehouse, 
Township Clerk ; David Thompson, Treasurer ; Sellick 
Seymour, Justice of the Peace ; Isaac Middaugh, Commis- 
sioner of Highways ; Harvey Haynes, Thomas J. Bridge, 
Asses.sors ; Loren Banstin, School Inspector ; Edmund 
Chapman, James Mosher, Directors of Poor ; Henry Lock- 
wood, Anselm Arnold, Thomas J. Bridge, Henry Dickson, 
Constables. 

1851. — John Root, Supervisor; John G. Parkhurst, 
Township Clerk ; David Thompson, Treasurer ; Louis T. N. 
Wilson, Justice of the Peace ; William Smith, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; E. M. Crippen, School Inspector; 
Peter Sprague, Daniel Gilbert, Directors of Poor ; Henry 
Lockwood, Milton H. Fuller, William H. Kellogg, Andrew 
Jackson, Constables. 

1852. — Harvey Haynes, Supervisor; John H. Phelps, 
Township Cii rk; Lorenzo B. Brewer, Treasurer; Daniel C. 
Morehouse, Justice of the Peace (full term) ; Edward W. 
Phetteplace (to fill vacancy) ; Alonzo Duncan, Commissioner 
of Highways ; Joseph D. W. Fish, School Inspector; Ho- 
mer M. Wright, William Smith, As.sessors; Daniel Mills, 
James McConnell, Directors of Poor ; Ebenezer Butter- 
worth, Benjamiu C. West, Augustus A. Amidon, Sterling 
Perkins, Con.stables. 

1853. — John Root, Supervisor ; Edwin R. Clarke, Town- 
ship Clerk ; George A. Coe, Justice of the Peace ; Loren 
R. Austin, Treasurer; Jolin H. Beach, School Inspector; 
Abram C. Fisk, Daniel N. Wilson, Commissioners of High- 
ways ; John Allen, H. C. Lewis, Directors of Poor ; Ra- 
phael S. Gibbs, James Curtiss, David West, Constables. 

1854. — Corydon P. Benton, Supervisor; Homer J\L 
Wright, Township Clerk ; Sellick Seymour, Treasurer ; 
Edward W. Phetteplace, Justice of the Peace ; Loren R. 
Austin, Isaac Middaugh, School Inspectors ; John J. Cur- 
tis, William Anderson, Directors of the Poor ; Raphael 
S. Gibbs, Orin Crippen, Sellick Seymour, David West, 
Constables. 

1855. — George A. Coe, Supervisor ; Benjamin C. Webb, 
Township Clerk ; Sellick Seymour, Treasurer ; Franklin 
T. Eddy, Justice of the Peace; Elijah C. Branch, School 
Inspector; Alonzo Duncan, Commissioner of Highways; 
William S. Gilbert, Morris Howe, Overseers of Poor ; Sel- 
lick Seymour, Raphael S. Gibbs, Franklin L. Warren, 
Daniel S. Pratt, Constables. 

1850. — Harvey Haynes, Supervisor; Benjamin C.Webb, 
Township Clerk ; Roland Root, Treasurer ; David B. Dennis, 
Justice of the Peace ; Joseph D. W. Fisk, Inspector of 
Schools; Abram C. Fisk, Commissioner of Highways; 
George A. Stillman, Alexander Reynolds, Directors of 
Poor; Roland Root, Sellick Seymour, David S. Pratt, 
James McConnell, Constables. 

1857. — John Root, Supervisor; David C. Powers, Town- 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



171 



ship Clork ; Jaiiios I'icrson, Trcasuiei- ; I)ani<;l C. Mure- 
liouse, Justice of the Peace; Elijah V. IJranch, School 
Inspector; James B. South wortii, Comniissioncr of Ilij;h- 
ways; John Gray, Mortimer Mansfield, Ovei-seers of the 
Poor; William II. Brown, Daviil B. Purinton, James 
Barnes, L. D. Ilalsted, Conslabkw. 

1858. — Harvey Haynes, Supervisor; David C. Powers, 
Township Cleric; David B. Purinton, Trea-surer; John 
Root, Justice of the Peace; Joseph D. W. Fisk, School 
Inspector; Barnabas B. Shoecroft, Commissioner of High- 
ways ; Alexander Reynolds, John Gray, Overseers of the 
Poor; Sellick Seymour, Foster Bowker, John Whitcomb, 
William H. Brown, Constables. 

1859. — David B. Dennis, Supervisor; Robert F. Mock- 
ridge, Township Clerk ; David B. Purinton, Treasurer ; 
Corydon P. Benton, Justice of the Peace ; Elijah C. Branch, 
John Murphy, School Inspectors; William B. Mason, Bar- 
nabas Shoecroft, Commissioners of Highways ; John Gray, 
Alexander Reynolds, Directors of the Poor ; George W. 
Johnson, Harvey D. Miller, George W. Bowker, John 
Whitcomb, Constables. 

1860. — David B. Purinton, Supervisor; Robert C. Slock- 
ridge, Township Clerk ; Cornelius Van Ness, Treasurer ; 
Alvin T. Lanphere, Justice of the Peace ; David C. Pow- 
ers, School Inspector ; James B. Southworth, George W. 
Smith, John Kent, Commissioners of Highways. 

1861. — Harvey Haynes, Supervisor; A. D. Eldridge, 
Town.ship Clerk ; Timothy Phelps, Treasurer ; Oliver P. 
Wasson (full term), William S. Gilbert, Peries Lincoln, 
Joseph W. Whitney, Justices of the Peace; Henry C. 
Fenn, Commissioner of Highways ; Joseph A. Haight, 
Charles A. Goddard, School Inspectors; Joseph Fetterly, 
Norman W. Case, George B. Williams, Lucius B. Wing, 
Constables. 

1862. — Harvey Haynes, Supervisor; George H. White, 
Township Clerk; Timothy White, Treasurer ; Joseph M. 
Whitney, Henry C. Fenn, Justices of the Peace ; John W. 
Turner, Commissioner of Highways; William B. Mason, 
Charles A. Goddard, School Inspectors ; Joseph A. Fet- 
terly, John G. Munson, Sterling Perkins, Augustus P. 
Tucker, Constables. 

1863. — Ilarvey Haynes, Supervisor; Ira W. Pratt, Town- 
ship Clerk ; William Bennett, Treasurer ; Peries Lincoln, 
Justice of the Peace ; John W. Turner, School Inspector ; 
James B. Southworth, Commissioner of Highways ; Ster- 
ling Perkins, A. A. Van Northwiek, Nathan Fetterly, 
George W. Nye, Constables. 

1S64. — Ilarvey Haynes, Supervisor ; William B, Mason, 
Township Clerk ; Charles J. Fonda, Treasurer ; Henry C. 
Fenn, S. S. Scoville, Justices of the Peace; Daniel C. 
Morehouse, School Inspector ; Horace W. Reed, Commis- 
sioner of Highways; Sterling Perkins, Nathan Fetterly, 
Jeremiah Co.\, George Ilolden, Constables. 

1865. — Sylvanus S. Scoville, Supervisor; Clark H. Wil- 
liams, Township Clerk ; Charles J. Fonda, Treasurer; Elijah 
S. Carpenter, Justice of the Peace ; Barnabas B. Shoe- 
croft, Granville Stowe, Commissioners ol' IIighwa3's ; Harvey 
Haynes, School Inspector ; Nathan Fetterly, Jeremiah Cox, 
Artcmus H. Legg, Samuel V. Cornell, Con.stables. 

1866. — Sylvanus S. Scoville, Supervisor; Clark H.Wil- 



liams, Town.ship Clerk ; Elias Gage, Tretisurer ; James B. 
Southworth, Robert Lynd, Justices of the Peace; Mahlon 
A. Smith, Cyrus A. Hand, Orson Randall, Commissioners 
of Highways; Gilbert McFarland, School Inspector; Mar- 
tin Elliott, George S. Allen, Hiram 1'. Ma.son, Daniel Rooks, 
Constables. 

1867.— Henry C. Fenn, Supervisor; C. H. Williams, 
Township Clerk ; Elias Gage, Treasurer ; Peries Lincoln, 
Thomas Fetterly, Justices of the Peace ; Charles Legg, M. 

A. Smith, School Inspectors ; Isaac Mains, Commissioner 
of Highways ; Amos Sanford, Norman Case, Oscar F. 
Burdick, David Lynd, Constables. 

1868. — I.saac JIains, Supervisor; Charles N. Legg, Town- 
ship Clerk ; William B. Mason, Treasurer ; Jeremiah Cox, 
Justice of the Peace ; George W. Fisk, School Inspector ; 
William II. Webster, Abram C. Fisk, Commissioners of 
Highways; David Lynd, John Stewart, Adelbert Nye, Ster- 
ling Perkins, Constables. 

1869. — Isaac Mains, Supervisor; Clark H. Williams, 
Township Clerk ; William B. Mason, Treasurer ; Barney 

B. Shoecroft, Daniel C. Morehouse, Justices of the Peace ; 
Mahlon A. Smith, School Inspector; 0. S. Bingham, Lu- 
cius Phetteplace, Commissioners of Highwaj's ; Ezra Shoe- 
croft, Alonzo Eaton, William King, Constables. 

1870. — Is;iac Mains, Supervisor; Clark H. Williams, 
Township Clerk; William B. Mason, Treasurer; Jacob L. 
Munson, Joseph W. Whitney, Justices of the Peace ; 
George W. Fisk, School Inspector ; James B. Southworth, 
Commissioner of Highways; Abram Branaman, Nathan 
Fetterly, Theophilus Rockwood, Henry Fox, Constables. 

1871. — Isaac Mains, Supervisor; Jonas H. McGowan, 
Township Clerk ; Edward J. Moss, Albert N. Bunton, Jus- 
tices of the Peace ; Wm. B. Mason, Treasurer ; Jacob 
Andrews, School Inspector; Lucius Phetteplace, Com- 
missioner of Highways ; Nathan Phetteplace, Hiram P. 
Mason, Theophilus Rockwood, Alva Clark, Constables. 

1872. — Ilarvey Ilaynes, Supervisor ; Jonas II. McGowan, 
Township Clerk ; Elias Gage, Treasurer ; Edward J. Moss, 
Ju.stice of the Peace; Mahlon A. Smith, George W. Fisk, 
Origin Bingham, Commissioners of Highways ; Harvey 
Haynes, Drain Commissioner ; Nathan Fetterly, Norman 
Case, William P. Benton, Constables. 

1873. — Harvey Haynes, Supervisor ; Clark H. Williams, 
Township Clerk ; Elias Gage, Treasurer ; Edward J. Moss, 
Daniel C. Morehouse, Justices of the Peace ; Mahlon A. 
Smith, School Inspector; James B. Southworth, Commis- 
sioner of Highways ; Ilarvey Haynes, Drain Commissioner ; 
Nathan Fetterly, Constable. 

1874.— Alonzo B. Allen, Supervisor ; Clark H. Williams, 
Township Clerk ; Timothy Phelps, Treasurer ; Jacob L. 
Munson, Henry C. Fenn, Eli Bidlemau, Justices of the 
Peace ; Jay Brooks, Mahlon A. Smith, School Inspectors ; 
William P. Norton, Highway Commissioner ; Nathaniel C. 
Gardner, Drain Commissioner ; Nathan Fetterly, Adelburt 
Wicks, Nathaniel C. Gardner, George W. Bagley, Con- 
stables. 

1875.— Alonzo B. Allen, Supervisor; Clark H. Wil- 
liams, Township Clerk ; Timothy Phelps, Treasurer ; Albert 
N. Bunton, Henry C. Fenn, Frederick J. Dincks, Justices 
of the Peace; Mahlon A. Smith, School Inspector; Jacob 



172 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHiaAN. 



C. Andrews, Commissioner of Highways; George W. Fisk, 
Superintendent of Schools ; Herbert J. Grinnell, Charles 
Shoecroft, Solomon Sherwood, John Burrell, Constables. 

1876. — Alonzo B. Allen, Supervisor; Harvey Gregory, 
Township Clerk ; Timothy Phelps, Treasurer ; William B. 
Mason, Jacob C. Andrews, Justices of the Peace ; Mahlon 

A. Smith, School Inspector; Harvey Haynes, Superintend- 
ent of Schools; William T. Norton, Commissioner of High- 
ways ; Jeremiah Cox, Drain Commissioner ; Nathan Fet- 
terly, George Whitehead, Solomon Sherwood, Edwin Priest, 
Constables. 

1877. — Henry C. Fenn, Supervisor ; Harvey D. Gregory, 
Township Clerk; Charles Shoecroft, Trea.surer ; Isaac M. 
Selover, Justice of the Peace; George W. Fisk, Superin- 
tendent of Schools ; Mahlon A. Smith, School Inspector ; 
William P. Norton, Commissioner of Highways ; Jeremiah 
Cox, Drain Commissioner ; Francis Granger, Jr., William 

B. Fisk, Eli Bidleman, Samuel Fisk, Constables. 
1878.— Alonzo B. Allen, Supervisor; Clark N. Wil- 
liams, Township Clerk; George W. Fisk, Treasurer; Rus- 
sell Rice, Commissioner of Highways ; Robert P. JefFerds, 
Superintendent of Schools ; Barney B. Shoecroft, Drain 
Commissioner ; C. Perry Woodard, Justice of the Peace ; 
A. B. Hemingway, School Inspector ; John Burrall, 
Thomas T. Williams, Solomon Sherwood, Nathan Fetterly, 
Constables. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



ABEAM C. FISK 

was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Feb. 19, 1815. When 
twenty years of age he came to Michigan, arriving at Cold- 
water Sept. 7, 1835. He worked in the hotel for one year, 
during which time he took forty acres of land from the 
government. He soon bought another forty. He married 
Catherine Smith, daughter of Rev. Francis Smith, who 
settled in Coldwater in 1835. Being a man of liberal ideas 
and large means, he contributed largely to the prosperity 
and development of the country. Mr. Fisk settled where 
ho now resides, in 1840, where he has made himself one 
of the finest farms and homes in Branch County. His 
specialty has been blooded horses, in which he has been 
eminently successful. The first celebrated horse he brought 
to Branch County was Green Mountain Black Hawk, in 
1851. Among the valuable horses he has since owned 
may be mentioned Vermont Hero, Othello or Black 
Prince, Black Hawk Morgan, Moscow, Mambrino Chief, 
Bovee Horse, M&ssenger (a thorough-bred). Lacy (a 
thorough-bred), Belmont, Sir Archie, Lexington Chief (a 
trotter), Mambrino Patchen, Hambletonian " Star," for- 
mally Masterlode, as recorded iu the stock books. Among 
the many valuable horses owned by Mr. Fisk, this hor.se 
may be placed at the head of the list, and as an estimate 
of his worth we will say that he has refused fifteen 
thousand dollars for him. He sold Mambrino Chief for 
twelve thousand dollars, and several other horses for large 
prices. Branch County and Michigan have a national re- 
putation for fine horses, and to Mr. Fisk more than any 



other man does the credit belong. He was the pioneer in 
this enterprise, and has carried it to great perfection. 

Socially, Mr. Fisk is genial and companionable; in busi- 
ness matters prompt and reliable; temperate in his habits. 
Although exhibiting his horses at most of the important 
meetings for trials of speed, etc., in this State, he never 
makes a wager, or gambles in any form. His great delight is 
in the improvement of the noble animal. 



JAMES R. WILCOX 

was among the early pioneers of Branch County. Although 
his farm is pleasantly situated on one of the principal thor- 
oughfares leading to Coldwater, and only one and a half 
miles from the court-house, he is entitled to the credit not 
only of cutting the farm from an unbroken forest, but 




Photo, by E. KiDdmark, Coldwater. 
JAMES R. WILCOX. 

assisted in cutting the road leading to the city. He was 
born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 4, 1809. He was the son 
of Jesse and Mary Wilcox, who came to St. Joseph County 
in 1840, where Jesse died in 1841, and his wife in 1842. 

The subject of this sketch lived with his father until he 
grew to manhood, when he carried on the farm. Nov. 9, 
1834, he was married to Miss Anna Peckham, daughter of 
Caleb B. Peckham, now residing in Coldwater, at the ad- 
vanced age of eighty-nine years. Mr. Wilcox came to 
Coldwater, with his wife and one child, June 10, 1836, and 
purchased the land where he has since resided. His wife 
died Oct. 17, 1855, leaving six children, — four sons and 
two daughters, — all now living but one, Louis P., who 
enlisted at Coldwater, under Capt. Barrett, in 1861, and 
died at Rolla, Mo., of fever, Dec. 7, 1861. 

Mr. Wilcox married, in 1856, for his second wife, Minnie 
C. Burch, formerly Minnie C. Holcomb, daughter of Horace 
Holcomb, of Danbury, Conn., who came to Batavia, Branch 
Co., where he died Sept. 30, 1853. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



173 





JOHN ROBERTS. 



MRS. JOHN ROBERTS. 



.JOHN ROBERTS 
i.s the sole survivor of one of the representative pioneer 
families of Branch County. He is of Welsh extraction. 
His grandfather was an early settler in New Hampshire, 
and served in the Revolutionary war. His father, Francis 
Roberts, was born in New llauipshirc, May 2S, 1777. 
When eighteen years of age he left the paternal roof to 
mark out a path of life, which has been changing and 
eventful. Jan. 5, 1805, he was married to Lois Lay in 
Georgia, Vt. In 1811 he took his wife and two children 
in a wagon and journeyed to Upper Canada, a distance of 
six hundred miles, stopping near Coburg, where he was 
drafted as a British subject. Not fancying the idea of 
fighting against his native land, he took an open boat with 
others and crossed Lake Ontario, worked in Rochester, 
N. Y., eighteen months, when he rccrossed the lake, got his 
family, and crossed to Niagara Co., N. Y. In April, 1813, he 
purchased forty acres of land in Hartland township, where 
the immediate subject of this skcteh was born, March 14, 
1818. Here the family remained until 1S29, during which 
time there had been much sickness in the family. Wish- 
ing to try a different locality, Mr. Roberts came to Ea.stern 
Michigan, returned to New York, located in Chautauqua 
County, where he became crippled for life with rheumatism. 
In the fall of 183.5 he came to Branch County, and pur- 
chased from the government eighty acres of land, which is 
now a portion of the Roberts farm in Coldwater. He 
returned to New York, and the next April, with his hou.se- 
hold effects and his family in a wagon, started for Michi- 
gan, arriving at Coldwater April 23, 183G, after a tedious 
journey of eighteen days, and commenced tlie hardy ta.sk 
of cutting himself a home from the unbroken forest. With 
only a small payment on his land, him.self a confirmed crip- 
ple, the outlook was not a bright one. The two boys, six- 
teen and eighteen years of age, were his main reliance. A 
small log house and a few acres of land, cleared and sowed 
with wheat, were the important improvements the first 



season. When the wheat was harvested it was threshed 
in the house, there being no other floor on the premises. 
John, with a thoughtfulness which has characterized him 
through life, had brought a quantity of apple-seeds from 
the East, which were planted as .soon as the ground could 
be prepared. From these seeds quite a nursery was estab- 
lished, and several hundred dollars realized. The grand 
old orchard which has supplied the farm with fruit for 
forty years was from these seeds. 

Francis Roberts* died Aug. 26, 1855, aged seventy- 
eight years, and his wife March 17, 1865, aged seventy- 
eight years. They had four children, — two daughters and 
two sons ; the oldest daughter, Betsy, married Jesse Brooks, 
of Coldwater; she died Feb. 18, 1863. The sons, Stephen 
and John, and the daughter, Anna, remained at the old 
home, where Stephen died April 13, 1808, and Anna Sept. 
29, 1868. John, the only survivor of the family, was 
married, April 20, 1869, to Mrs. Adaline Whitcomb, for- 
merly Adaline Brooks, daughter of Samuel and EflTa Brooks, 
and granddaughter of John Cooley, who settled in Cold- 
water Jan. 1, 1834. 

Mr. Roberts and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Coldwater, and take a warm interest 
and an active part in its affairs and contribute liberally to 
its support. They have one child, a daughter. 

There have been no sudden acce.ssiiins of property, but 
steadily year by year, by frugal and industrious habits, un- 
wavering industry, and .sagacious management, the original 
eighty acres of land have expanded to one of the finest farms 
in Branch County, and its proprietor is ranked among its 
substantial and wealthy men. Many of the local public 
enterprises and charitable institutions have received from 
him liberal gifts. 

* Francis Kobcrts was a member of the Baptist Church, and his 
wife, Lois, was a member of the Presbyterian Church: the remainder 
of the family were Methodists. 



174 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



AVILLIA.M P. NORTON 
was born at Gosheu, Conn., June 21, 1828. Ho is the 
son of Jeremiah Norton, who died in 1831, leaving a wife 
and three children. In 1845 they moved to Huron Co., 
Ohio, where William P. went to learn the cabinet-maker'.s 
trade. Before he was twenty-one years of age he com- 
menced building a shop for himself at Olean, Ohio, whore 
he carried on the business some three years, during which 
time, and on the 29th of December, 1851, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary A. Angel, daughter of Daniel Angel, 
of Olean, Ohio, formerly from Providence, R. I. In the 
spring of 1853 Mr. Norton moved to Norwalk, Ohio, where 
he worked at the carpentering business until 1857, when 
he went to Kansas, and loeateil on land near Emporia. He 



shared in the political excitement of that time, and cast his 
vote to make that a free State. He also cast his vote to 
make Nevada a State, he having spent some three years in 
tliat State and California, — returning to Ohio in the spring 
of 1866 ; then came to Coldwater, and settled on the farm 
where he now resides, two miles south of the city, where 
he has spent his time in improving his farm and erecting 
substantial buildings, a view of which may be seen in this 
work. Mr. and Mrs. Norton are members of the Metliodist 
Episcopal Church of Coldwater, and are enterprising and 
thrifty citizens of the county. They have never been 
blessed with children of their own, but have for years had 
one or more children in their family, wlio liave been cared 
for as their own. 



=«-=9e. 



s^.a^ 



Q U I N O Y. 



Occupying a central position on the east border of 
Branch County is Quincy town.ship. Butler, Coldwater, 
and Algansee townships, respectively, adjoin it on the nortli, 
west, and south, while Hillsdale County forms the eastern 
boundary. 

It has a comparatively level surface, which originally 
was lieavily timbered in the north and south parts, while 
small prairies and oak openings extended through the centre. 
The site of Quincy village and its vicinity was a prairie of 
several hundred acres in extent. 

The soil consists of a sandy and gravelly loam, alternating 
occasionally with clay loam. It is of an excellent quality, 
and produces bounteous crops of hay, corn, potatoes, and 
other vegetables, fruits, and the various cereals, which, with 
live stock and wool, are the chief agricultural productions. 
Farm produce, live stock, lumber, staves, and headings form 
the chief articles of export. 

In the amount of farm products it takes the front rank 
among Branch County townships, excelling all the others. 

Coldwater River and Hog Creek are the principal water- 
courses. The former flows from Marble Lake, and takes a 
northwest course, intersecting the southwest corner of the 
township. The latter enters the town from the east near 
the centre of the east border, and, flowing in a northwesterly 
direction, crosses the northeast corner. 

Marble, Berry, and Quincy Lakes include portions of 
sections 21, 28, 29, 32, and 33. They are situated south- 
west of Quincy village, and contain an area of about 1 200 
acres. 

FIRST LAND ENTRIES. 

Horris Willson, in June, 1830, entered the first land in 
this township. His purchases included the west half of the 
southwest quarter of section 12, the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 13, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 



14, — 320 acres in all. John Cornish concluded a purchase 
for lands on section 15, Oct. 16, 1832 ; and James G. 
Corbus a few days later, on section 13. 

The following list, arranged by sections, embraced the 
names of the original owners of the township : 

Section 1, 1835.* — Almon Nichols, David Nichols, 
Washburn Wight, Jacob Shook, Jr., Ansel Crowell, Asa 
C. Bowen. 

Section 2, 1835. — Thomas Wheeler, Smith Bowen, 
William J. Delavan, Solomon Wood, Ezekiel Gardiner. 

Section 3, 1836. — William J. Delavan, Matthew Arm- 
strong, Harvey Odell, Jesse Ellsworth, Jacob Snyder. 

Section 4, 183G. — William Black, Thomas Armstrong, 
Joseph Berry, Richard H Gay, Jesse Ellsworth, Alva Bill, 
Robert Homer, Sophia Berry, Timothy llowe, Timothy A. 
Hopkins. 

Section 5, 1836. — Joseph Berry, Ebenezer L. Donahee, 
Russell Darwin, James Smith, George P. Babcock. 

Section 6, 1836. — Garret Cruson, Sophia Locke, Peries 
Lincoln, Butler Treat, Thaddeus E. Ball, Joseph Berry. 

Section 7, 1836.— John Sinclair, Ira S. Mudgc, Al- 
pheus Williams, Alanson Sumner, Stephen Clark, Sophia 
Locke. 

Section 8, 1836. — David Blood, Ira S. Mudge, Joseph 
Berry, George P. Babcock, Chauncey Whitney, Caleb J. 
Burlingame. 

Section 9, 1836. — William Black, John Sinclair, Ira 
S. Mudge, Alva Clark, Griswold Burnham, Enos G. Berry. 

Section 10, 1835. — James Adams, William J. Delavan, 
Matthew Armstrong, Harvey Odell, Isaac Ambler. 

Section 11, 1835. — Griswold Burnham, Thomas Wheeler, 



» The figures denote the year the first purchase was m.idc upon 
each section. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



175 



John J. Ducrlcr, Roboit Wood, Tompkins C. Delavan, 
Solomon Wood. 

Section 12, 1830. — Horri.s Will.son, Griawold Buiiiluim, 
Alva Burlison, Josciph T. HuiiilKini, livniuii Cole, Ansel 
Crowell. 

Section 13, 1830. — Honis Willson, James G. Corbus, 
ElLslia Warren, Griswold Burnham, Enos G. Berry, Robert 
S. Ticknor, David W. Baker, William Starkes. 

Section 14, 1830. — Ilorris Willson, Ellis llus.sell, Gris- 
wold Burnham, Elisha Warren, Jo.seph L. Ilartsough, 
Jolin B. Hartsough, Richard More}', John J. Duerler, 
Joseph Hanchett, Lewis B. Ilanchett. 

Section 15, 1832. — John Cornish, Walter Looniis, Silas 
Hamilton, Enos G. Berry, John Broughtwn, James Adams, 
Warren Bill, Lyman Chapin, Jared L. Rathbone, Joseph 
Berry, Caleb Brown. ^ 

Section 16, 1837. — Rice Arnold, Enos G. Berry, Joseph 
Berry, William P. Arnold, Alfred WUniurth, James Davis, 
Israel Waters, Nicholas Dalley, John Joseph, Benoni Car- 
ter, Florello P. Williams, Cynthia M. Etheridge, John 
Broughton, Charles Arnold. 

Section 17, 1834. — Henry Van Hyning, Bartholomew 
Hewott, Elmer Packer, Tiiomas McCarty, George P. Bab- 
cock, John Law, Griswold Burnham. 

Section 18, 1834. — Conrad Rapp, Elmer Packer, David 
Newell, Elisha Hart.sough, Tluimas McCarty, Hamilton G. 
Rice, Dorcas Hewett. 

Section 19, 1833.— Joseph L. Hartsough, David B. 
Hartsough, Conrad Rapp, David Ilartsough, Henry McCon- 
nell, Thomas McCarty. 

Section 20, 1834. — Abraham Vcsschius, Henry Van 
Hyning, James Ransom, Bartholomew Hewett, George 
Ransom, John Broughton, Alanson Harger, Thomas 
Dougherty. 

Section21, 1835. — Bartholomew Hewett, Samuel Berry, 
Enos G. Berry, Alanson Harger, Pearson Anson, Ansel 
Crowell. 

Section 22, 1835. — John D. Burroughs, James Adams, 
Ira S. Mudge, Hamilton G. Rice, John Broughton, Heze- 
kiah D. Mudge, Joseph Berry, Warren Edwards. 

Section 23, 1835. — William Laughlin, Richard W. Cor- 
bus, Abner Harris, Joseph Hanchett, Laura Hibbard, 
Samuel Eddy, Luther Briggs, William Prentiss. 

Section 24, 1835. — Abraham Vesschius, James Clizbe, 
James M. Burdick, Luther Briggs, Benjamin Allen, Solon 
Pierce. 

Section 25, 1835. — Philo H. Crippen, Lorenzo D. Crip- 
pen, Alson Barber, Alanson Sumner, Stephen Clark, Isaac 
Ambler. 

Section 26, 1836.— Harrison H. Scott, Abram C. Fish, 
Lewis W. Decker, Joseph S. Swan. 

Section 28, 1836. — John Broughton, Hamilton G. Rice, 
Silas Furgeson, Calvin Snow, Schuyler Matteson, James 
Taylor, Thompson J. Daniels. 

Section 27, 1836. — James Feller, Sumner & Clark, John 
Law, William Joseph, Lucas Joseph. 

Section 29, 1836. — Peter D. Shook, John Broughton, 
Joseph W. Kinncn, Albert Starr, Peter A. Drake, Rich- 
ard Starr, Enos G. Berry. 

Section 30, 1835. — Thomas McCarty, Cyrus Champlin, 



Abraham Phillips, Rhoda Woodard, James Fisk, James 
Hall, Calvin Snow. 

Section 31, 1836.— Walter P. Van Vechten, Thomas 
Armstrong, Jacob Bennett, Russell Packard. 

Section 32, 1837. — Frederick Myers, Lorenzo D. Hal- 
stead, Peter A. Drake, Richard Starr, George P. Stephens. 

Section 33, 1836.— Eliphalet Tower, Ira S. Mudge, Nel- 
son N. Sprague. 

Section 34, 1836.— Eliphalet Tower, Samuel Egncw, 
Ira S. Mudge, Sumner <t Clark. 

Section 35, 1836. — John S. Belote, Sumner & Clark. 

Section 36, 1836. — Sumner & Clark, Lorenzo D. Crip- 
pen, Dan Barber, Joseph H. Belote. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

Ilorris Willson, the first settler in this township, was of 
Scotch origin, and accounted for the strange orthography 
of his name by claiming that it was the Scotch method 
of spelling it. He was a native of Batavia, N. Y., and 
during the war of 1812 served with the New York State 
troops, under Capt. Parri.sh. He was captured at the bat- 
tle of Black Rock, and held as a prisoner of war at Mon- 
treal for nine months. 

At an early day he settled in Berlin, Ohio, where he 
remained until about 1825, when he removed to Detroit. 
In June, 1830, he made the first purcha.se of lands in this 
township, buying 320 acres, which embraced portions of 
sections 12, 13, and 14, and contiguous to a broad Indian 
trail, afterwards known as the " Chicago Turnpike." Mr. 
Willson was a carpenter by trade, and soon after his pur- 
chase, assisted by a hired man named George Bolton, con- 
structed a small block house, which was situated very near 
the site of the present Andrews residence, on section 14. 
This fir.st house is described as having been built of hewn 
logs, the corners nicely dove-tailed together. He was ac- 
companied here by his wife — who afterwards married David 
W. Baker — and two children.* Soon after the completion 
of his house it was opened to the public as a tavern or 
" place of entertainment." The following is a literal copy 
of the bond entered into by him and his sureties for a faith- 
ful okservance of law and order : 

"You, Ilorris Willson, do acUnowkilge to owe tlic Uiiitcil iSlatcs 
of Ainorica the emii of fifty dollars, and you, Abram P. Bolton and 
•John Morse, do severally acknowledge to owe the United States of 
America the sum of twenty-five dollars each, to be levied of your 
several goods and chattels, lands and tenements, upon condition thiit, 
Whereas, the above-bound Ilorris Willson is admitted and allowed by 
the Township Board to kee]) a tavern for the space of one year nc.\t 
ensuing, and no longer, in the house and place now occupied by the 
said Ilorris Willson, and no other. 

"Now, therefore, if the saiil Ilorris Willson, during the time afore- 
said, shall keep and maintain good order and rule, and shall suffer no 
disorder nor unlawful game to be used in his said house, or in any of ■ 
the dependencies thereof, and shall not break any of the laws for the 
regulation of taverns, then this recognisance shall be null and void, 
otherwise in full force. 

"This you acknowledge. Taken and acknowledged at the Town- 
ship Board, held for the Township of (Jrcen, in the county of St. 
Joseph, and Territory of Michigan, this 2.3d day of March, 18.'!2." 

Mr. Willson began the construction of a small frame 

«Lydia Ann, widow of the late Dr. Kuos (!. Berry, and Ilorris Will- 
son, Jr., both of whom are residents of (Juincy at the present time. 



176 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



house, but died before its completion, his being the first 
death to occur in the township. 

James G. Corbus, the youngest of four pioneer brothers 
(Joseph C., John, Richard W., and James G.), was born 
in Detroit in 1804. At an early age he married Miss Isbel 
Eddy, of the former city. His wife died shortly after the 
birth of a daughter, now Mrs. Abel Coon, of Quincy vil- 
lage. In 1827, Mr. Corbus became a resident of Cleve- 
land, 0., where he remained until June, 1832, when 
(having meanwhile married Mi.ss Nancy M. Moore, the 
daughter of one of Cleveland's pioneers) he came to Branch 
County. During the summer of 1832, as a contractor, he 
was engaged in the construction of that portion of the Chi- 
cago turnpike which crossed Bronson's Prairie. In Octo- 
ber of the same year he purchased lands of the government, 
which were situated upon section 13, in this township, and 
early in the spring of 1833 he became an actual resident. 
Here he built the first framed house. It was commenced 
in 1833 and finished the following year. Men were hired 
to come from Ypsilanti to raise the frame, and the lumber 
with which it was completed was obtained at Orangeville. 
His house was also opened as a tavern, and during the 
years from 1835 to 1840, when emigrants via the Chicago 
road were streaming into the county by thousands, he and 
his good wife were kept busy night and day, to entertain 
them. Again, during the building of the Lake Shore Rail- 
road, in 1850, his house was filled to overflowing with the 
workmen. He was the second treasurer elected in Branch 
County, and occupied many official positions in his town- 
ship. In 1852 he made an overland journey to California, 
and again in 1859. He died in 1872. His widow and 
surviving children reside as follows : Mrs. Nancy M. Corbus, 
Quincy, Mich. ; H. J. Corbus, Adrian, Mich. ; Mrs. R. R. 
Morse, Angola, Ind. ; and J. L. Corbus, St. Louis, Mo. 

John Cornish, one of the first settlers in Girard town- 
ship, bought the first land upon section 15, Oct. 16, 1832, 
and became the first settler upon the .site of Quincy vil- 
lage in the fall of 1833. His house, a small log shanty, 
stood upon the site of Clark's " Quincy House." He 
erected the first framed house and barn in the village, 
1834. He also kept tavern, and the first town-meeting 
was held at his house in 1836. 

Ellis Russell, another very early pioneer, came in at 
about the same time, and leased of Mrs. Willson the " Will- 
son tavern." He afterwards purchased lands of the govern- 
ment, and settled upon section 14 in 1834. 

Among the settlers of 1835 were Henry Van Hyning, 
who was one of Girard's very first pioneers ; James Ransom, 
from England ; Alanson Harger, from Madison Co., N. Y. ; 
John S. Belote, from Orleans Co., N. Y. ; Walter Loomis, 
from Ashtabula, Ohio ; David Newell, Monroe Co., N. Y. ; 
Peter Shook, Wayne Co., N. Y. ; David W. Baker, Mon- 
roe Co., N. Y. ; William Laughlin, Alva Burlison, Huron 
Co., Ohio ; Bartholomew Hewett, Knox Co., Ohio; James 
Clizbe, Steuben Co., N. Y. ; Pearson Anson, Livingston 
Co., N. Y. ; Griswold Burnham, Orleans Co., N. Y. ; 
Joseph T. Burnham, Lenawee Co., Mich. ; Silas Hamil- 
ton and Conrad Rapp. 

James M. Burdick, a native of Livingston Co., N. Y., 
emigrated at an early day with his father's family to Mon- 



roe County, of the same State. In the summer of 1830 he 
shouldered his rifle, and carrying a knapsack, the contents 
of which weighed 28 pounds, started on foot from the latter 
county to Buff'alo, thence by steamer to Detroit. From 
Detroit he took the broad Indian trail that led him towards 
the .southwest, and followed its course until he reached 
Allen's, in Hillsdale County, where he remained seven 
months. Jan. 1, 1831, he proceeded to Coldwater, and en- 
gaged to split rails for Abram F. Bolton. Three days later 
he moved into the woods, one and one-half miles north of 
Coldwater Cit}', and began his labors. There was a great 
depth of snow, and his first work was to fell a basswood 
tree, split it, and hew out a shovel, with which he cleared 
away the snow from the spot selected to build his shanty. 
When his house was completed, he began splitting rails, 
and at the expiration of four months had enough to 
fence, and did fence, the first 80 acres so inclosed in 
Branch County. He obtained some of his supplies from 
Mr. Bolton, who lived four miles southeast of his shanty, 
but his rifle supplied him with meat, while an abundance 
of wild honey could be found in the woods. He says that 
he took 200 pounds of honey from a cherry-tree, which was 
only fifty yards distant from his shanty. 

In February, 1832, Mr. Burdick, accompanied by his 
father, Ichabod H. Burdick, who had come out the fall 
previously and purchased lands in Allen, Hillsdale Co., re- 
turned to New York, driving the whole distance with horse 
and cutter. They traveled via Detroit and Canada. At 
the crossing of the Detroit River, fifteen miles below De- 
troit, they experienced a very narrow escape from floating 
into Lake Erie. They had arrived at about the middle of 
the river, when the ice broke up, became detached from 
both shores, and with a strong, steady current was sweeping 
them towards the great lake. The piece they were upon 
was nearly half a mile square, yet it was covered with 
water to the depth of three or four inches. After float- 
ing down some two or three miles, young Burdick dis- 
covered that the eastern edge of their ice-raft was separated 
from the firm ice on the eastern shore by an open space 
of about ten feet in width. This was nearer than they 
had yet been, and, as a large expanse of water could be 
seen down the river, he concluded that it was now or never. 
He had a good active young horse, — one in which he had 
great confidence as to his jumping qualities, as he had been 
tested on the frontier many times before. Informing his 
father of his intentions, they returned to the cutter (for 
they had left it and separated somewhat, fearing that the 
accumulated weight of themselves, their horse and cutter, 
might cause all to break through), sprang in, and getting 
his horse well in hand, starting briskly forward, and away 
they sped for the leap. The horse performed his part 
nobly, and at the instant of making his jump the Burdicks 
threw themselves forward, and by their momentum assisted 
him greatly, besides saving themselves from being thrown 
backward into the swift, deep current, through which the 
rear part of their vehicle was dragged. They finally reached 
their home in New York in safety, where young Burdick 
was married soon after. In March, 1832, the Burdicks 
(father and son) and Abigail Mosher, brother-in-law of 
James M., returned to Michigan, settling in Allen township, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



177 



Hillsdale Co. Here, on section 1.5, James M. Burdick 
opened the first tavern in 1832. In the spring of 1836 
he removed to Quincy township and located upon section 
24, where he resided for many years. He was present 
at the fii-st town-meeting in Quiney, where lie was elected 
a school commissioner, also an inspector of schools, and is 
perhaps the only survivor of those elected at the first town- 
meeting. He also served with Capt. James Olds' company 
during the Black Hawk war, having been summoned to 
take the field while returning to Michigan, in 1832, and 
when, with his young wife, he was yet fifteen miles distant 
from his destination. 

During the year 1836, Samuel H. Berry and his sons, 
Joseph, Knos G., and Ezra, became residents. They were 
from Barrington, N. H., originally, but had resided at dif- 
ferent periods in Wayne Co., Pa., Niagara and Chautauqua 
Cos., N. Y. Joseph, the oldest son, was the first one of the 
femily to visit Michigan, and w;is the jeading spirit in the 
removal of his father's family from Chautauqua, N. Y., to 
Quiney, Mich. He settled first on an SO-acre lot, begin- 
ning near the old cemetery, running north on what is now 
known as Main Street, one hundred rods north of the Chicago 
road, and eastward about one-fourth of a mile, and began the 
pursuits of a farmer. He also, at an early day, engaged in 
the hotel business on the site of the Quiney House, con- 
tinuing only a year or so. He gave his attention to farm- 
ing on a large scale, adding many acres to his first purchase. 
Mr. Berry has also been largely interested in the mercantile 
business of the village, first with his brothers Enos G. and 
Ezra, and William J. Briggs, then with G. 0. Bailey, again 
as only proprietor, then with Mr. Ludlam as manager, and 
lastly with Oscar Williamson as superintendent of the store. 
The brick block now .standing on the .southwest corner of 
Chicago and Main Streets was built by him during his last 
years of business. In 1877 he made an extensive trade 
with Daniel Larzelere, of Tekonsha, whereby he became 
the owner of about 400 acres of valuable land and Mr. 
Larzelere of his store, mercantile business, with other prop- 
erty in Quiney. Mr. Berry at once removed to Tekonsha, 
where he still resides, though he is a heavy taxpayer on 
property in this town. 

He was married in 1837 to Miss Sophia S. Brown, of 
. Quiney. As a citizen he has always been among the fore- 
most in aiding improvements, and where new schemes have 
been entertained for building up the village his name has 
generally preceded a large sum as a subscription. 

Dr. Enos G. Berry, the first supervisor, first postmaster, 
and first resident physician in the township, was during 
his lifetime a most prominent man. He settled upon sec- 
tions 21 and 22. His portrait and biography, together 
with thoi'C of his widow, — the eldest child of Quincy's first 
settler, — will be found upon another page. 

Ezra Berry, the youngest of the brothers who settled 
here, was sixteen years old when the family removed to 
Michigan, and was required to drive two cows the entire 
distance, him.self on foot. The journey occupied eighteen 
days, and his total expenses amounted to $1JM. On his 
arrival he wa.s made an assistant of his father in the hotel 
business. The hostelry was the building now occupied by 
Simon Mowry, ou West Chicago Street. In 1837 his 
23 



brother. Dr. Berry, being made postmaster, Ezra was placed 
in charge of the office, the contents of which were at first 
kept in a bushel basket, and continued in that service until 
1840, when he commenced preaching as a Jlethodist min- 
ister, traveling this circuit as an employee of the presiding 
elder, in connection with Revs. Roswell Parker, Peter 
Sabin, and others. From 1842 to 1841 he was engaged 
in the mercantile business in Coldwater with Ira IJidwell. 
He again engaged in ministerial labor in 1844; in 1847, 
mercantile business again; in 18.51, lumbering; during 
1852, superintendent of a railroad corps, running a line of 
road through the Kankakee Swamp; In 1854, lumbering; 
in 1855, merchant at Burr Oak; burned out in 1857. 
Then removed to Quiney and sold goods until 1866, since 
which time he has practiced law. He took up the study 
of law early in life, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. 

John Broughton and Lester Broughton, brothers, natives 
of Vermont, removed at an early day to Western New 
York, thence to Lorain Co, O., and to Quiney in 1836. 
John Broughton kept tavern for some years upon the 
brick-yard firm, between Coldwater and Quiney. He also 
speculated to some extent in government lands, and was a 
contractor during the building of the Lake Shore Railroad. 
He was a strong and vigorous man, accustomed to having 
things move his own way, impulsive and ardent in his 
views, but always maintained a high position for character 
among his neighbors. He ca.st the first vote in Quiney 
township, on the morning of April 4, 1836, and was one 
of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Quiney village. Their first meeting was held at his house. 
He died Feb. 2, 1879 ; was born Nov. 8, 1793. 

George Boon w:is burn in Philadelphia, July 27, 1802. 
His parents removed to New York City in 1806, to Peek.s- 
kill in 1810, and to West Point in 1812. In 1814 to 
Ontario Co., N. Y. In 1836 he removed to Quiney, and 
purchased a wild farm of Griswold Burnham, where he 
now resides. During the years 1836 and 1837 a great 
many settlers came in, and houses sprang up on every sec- 
tion in the township. Among them were Alpheus Wil- 
liams, from Niagara, N. Y. ; Philander and Iliram ('orloss, 
from Canada ; Thaddcus E. Ball, from Oneida Co., N. Y. ; 
Russell Darwin and Ebenezer L. Donahee, from Erie Co., 
N. Y. ; Ansel Nichols, from Oswego Co., N. Y ; Peter M. 
Newbery, from Saratoga Co., N. Y. ; Caleb Burlingame, 
Chenango Co., N. Y. ; Jeremiah B. Whelan, Livingston 
Co., N. Y. ; James Ashton, England ; L. G. Rice, Genesee 
Co., N. Y. ; John Sinclair, Seneca Co., N. Y. ; David 
Blood, Onondaga Co., N. Y. ; George P., H. F., and Simon 
Babcock, Orleans Co., N. Y. ; Chauncey E. Whitney, Liv- 
ingston Co., N. Y., and many others, whose names will be 
found in the alphabetical list of pioneers, first land entries, 
statistical reports, lists of township and village officers, etc., 
to whi(!h the reader is respectfully referred. 

William P. Arnold, a native of Rutland Co., Vt., and 
who had previously resided in Niagara and Chautauqua 
Cos., N. Y., came to Branch County in June, 1833. He 
first settled upon the premises now occupied by Canfield 
Pisk, in the town of Coldwater ; here he built a small log 
house, which stood between Mr. Fisk's present residence 
and the road. He also biiilt the farm-house now standing 



178 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



on the corner of the above-mentioned land. In 1839 he 
removed to Quincy, and settled upon the premises now 
occupied by him. Here he built a small frame house, 
which he now uses as a corn-house. From the time of 
his becoming a citizen of Quincy until the present, Mr. 
Arnold has been active and prominent in all public as well 
as private matters, which had in view the advancement and 
prosperity of his village and township. He has most 
worthily filled many positions of trust and honor. He 
was chosen supervisor in 1840, and received the honor of 
being re-elected in consecutive years to 1852, inclusive. In 
the latter year he was elected to the Legislature, represent- 
ing his district for one term. He was again elected super- 
visor in 1867, 1868, 1871, 1874, 1875, and 1876. 

quincy's pioneers. 
Alphabetical list of the pioneers of Quincy township, who, 
with a few exceptions, were all settled here in years prior to 
1840, showing also the sections upon which they resided: 



Sec. 

Allen, Benjamin 2-1 

Alger, Squire 9 

Adams, James 10, Ij 

Anson, Pearson 15 

Arnold, Wm. P 10 

Arnold, Rice T Ill 

Arnold, Anselum 19 

Armstrong, Matthew ;i 

Ashton, James 3 

Broughton. John 22 

Broughton, Lester 28 

Blood, David 8 

Brown, Madison 8 

Babcock, H. F 17 

Babeock, Geo. P 5 

Babcock, Simon 5 

Baker, David W 13, 14 

Boon, George 12, 13 

Burdick, James M 2-1 

Burlison, Alva 12, 13, 2i 

Berrv, Samuel 21 

Berry, Enos G 21, 22 

Berry, .Joseph 15 

Bagley, Daniel S 15 

Berry, Ezra 

Burlingame, Caleb S 

Burnham, Griswold 9 

Bowen, Asa C 1 

Bowen, Smith 2 

Ball, Th.addcus 6 

Briggs, Luther 23 

Barber, Ansel 25 

Bennett, Jacob 31 

Belote, Jno. S 35 

Barber, Dan 36 

Burnham, Joseph T 12 

Bill, Warren 15 

Brown, Caleb 15 

Brown, Alvarado 14 

Carson, Gerret 

Cornish, John 15 

Craft, Abram 20 

Corless, Hiram 17, 18, 19 

Corlcss, Philander 18 

Cole, Lyman 12 

Corbus, James G 13 

Curtis, Marcus 19, 20 

Clark, Alva 9 

Clizbe, James 24 

Carter, Benoni 16 

Clizbe, Hiram 5 

Curtis, Miles C 

Corless, Philo 18 

Clizbe, James 15 

Chittenden, Horace 

Darling, James 23 

Deyoe, Wm, P 

Darwin, Russell 5 

Donahee, Ebenczer L 5 

Dalley, Nicholas 16 

Etheridge, Samuel 16 

Grow, Ambrose 14 

Gager, Simon 15 

Glaan, JohnM 17,20 



Sec. 

Grovendyke, Asii T 13 

Howell, James 

Himrod, .John 2S 

Harger, Alanson 20,21 

Howell, Joseph 18 

Hawes, Morris F 

Hewett, Bartholomew 17, 21 

Hamilton, Silas 15 

Hartsougb, Joseph L 14 

Joseph, William 27 

Joseph, Lucas 27 

Kinnen, .Joseph W 29 

Loomis, Walter 15 

Lincoln, Peries 6 

Locke, Amos , 6 

Leh-ind, Elijah 13 

Laughlin, William 23 

McConnell, Henry 19 

Mudge, Ira S 

Mudge, Hezekiah D 22 

Mudge, Ebenezer 

Morey, Richard 14 

Miller, Timothy 28 

Muckey, Marcus 22 

Newell, David IS, 19 

Nicholas, Ansel 1 

Newberry, Peter M 10 

Otis, Isaac 19 

Odell, Harvey 3 

Perry, Edward 

Prentiss, William 13 

Ransom, James 20 

Rice, Levi G 18 

Reynolds, Alexander 19, 30 

Ross, George 7 

Russell, Ellis 14 

Russell, Williams 13 

Bapp, Conrad 18 

Roe, William 8 13 

Sinclair, John 9 

Smith, James 5, 19 

Shook, Peter 1 

Swan, Joseph S 26 

Starr, Albert 29 

Towle, Lemuel 20 

Tourtlett, Alden S 

Trim, Moses 

Vesschius, Abram 24 

Vesschius, William 

Vesschius, John 

Van Hyning, Henr.y 17, 20 

Wing, Barnabas 7 

Williams, Alpheus 7 

Whitney, Chauncey E 8 

Willson, Horris 12, 13, 14 

Wight, Washburn 1 

Wheeler, Thomas 11 

Wilmarth, Alfred 16 

Waters, Israel 16 

Williams, Florello P 16 

Wood, David S 

Wood, .Solomon 2 

Wheelan, Jeremiah B 9 



CIVIL HISTORY. 

The Senate and Hou.se of Representatives of the State 
of Michigan, by an act approved March 23, 1836, erected 
Quincy from Coldwater township. 

The original boundaries of the township, and the place 
designated for holding the first township-meeting, were, by 
that act, defined as follows : 

" Section 18. — All that portion of the county of Branch designated 
by the United States survey as townships six, seven, and eight, south 
of range five west, be, and the same is, hereby set off and organized 
into a separate township by the name of Quincy, and the first town- 
ship-meeting therein shall be held at the dwelling-house of John 
Cornish, in said townshi]),'' 

We thus find that for a period of two years Quincy in- 
cluded within its limits the present townships of Algansee 
and California, 

In their petition to tlie Legislature, asking for the forma- 
tion of a new township, the people sent forward the name 
of Springfield or Springville. But as another township in 
the State had already adopted the name mentioned by the 
petitioners, Dr. Hiram Alden, who then represented the 
county of Branch, suggested the name of Quincy, which 
was adopted. It is claimed that the name is derived from 
Quincy, Mass., the former residence of Mr. Alden. 

Algansee, including California, was set off as a separate 
township April 2, 1838. 

PROCEEDINGS OF FIRST TOWNSHIP-MEETING — OFFICERS 
ELECTED. 

At the first township election the electors assembled at 
the house of John Cornish, on the 4th day of April, 1836, 
and organized the meeting by choosing John Cornish, Esq., 
Moderator ; Thomas Wheeler, Clerk ; and Enos Gr. Berry, 
Assistant Moderator. As a result of this meeting, the 
following-named persons were chosen township officers, to 
serve for the period of one year : Enos Gr. Berry, Super- 
visor ; David W. Baker, Town Clerk ; John Cornish, James 
G. Corbus, Samuel Beach, Enos G. Berry, Justices of the 
Peace ; Samuel H. Berry, Luther Briggs, James Adams, 
Assessors ; Joseph T. Burnham, Pearson Anson, James 
Adams, Highway Commissioners; James M. Burdick, 
Ellis Russell, Thomas Wheeler, Commissioners of Common 
Schools ; Joseph L. Hartsougb, James Adams, James M. 
Burdick, Inspectors of Common Schools ; Griswold Burn- 
ham, Collector; Pearson Anson, Griswold Burnham, Con- 
stables ; Samuel H. Berry, Conrad Rapp, Overeeers of the 
Poor; District No. 1, Thomas Wheeler, District No. 2, 
Pearson Anson, District No. 3, Joseph L. Hartsougb, 
Overseers of Highways. 

Voted, That pathmasters be fence-viewers. 

Voted, That all hogs over twenty-five pounds in weight 
be free commoners. 

At a special township-meeting held September 27, 1836, 
for the purpo.se of electing a constable and collector, offices 
made vacant by the continued absence of Griswold Burn- 
ham, Ellis Russell was elected Collector, and James M. 
Burdick, Constable. 

At the annual township-meeting of 1837, $50 were voted 
for the support of the poor, and $75 for the improvement 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



179 



of highways. Thirty-five dollars were appropriated for the 
repair of tlie bridge across Hog River in 1839. 

At a meeting of the assessors, convened at the house of 
Enos G. Berry, May 18, 1839, tiie following-named persons 
were selected to serve as jurors for the town of Quincy : 
David W. Baker, Joseph T. Burnham, Solomon Wood, 
William S. Rowe, George Boon, Luther Briggs, Ellis Rus- 
sell, Alpheus Williams, Jame.s Ildwell. George Ro.ss, Miles 
C. Curtiss, Alexander Reynolds, lliram Corless, Gerritt 
Carson, Jones Smith, George P. Babcoek, Harvey F. Bab- 
cock, Iliram Clizbe, Philander Corless, Peter Emmon.s, Bar- 
tholomew Hewett, Peter M. Newberry, Harvey Odell, 
Moses Trim, Edward Perry, Horace Chittenden, Timothy 
Miller, Lester Broughton, Paries Lincoln, Peter Shook, 
James Clizbe, Jr., James G. Corbus, Elijah Leland, Ansel 
Nichols, John M. Glann. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

Tabular list of the principal township officers from 1836 
to 1878, inclusive. 



Supervisors. 
1836. Enos G. Berry. 



1837. 
1838. 



TowD Clerks. 
David W. Baker. 



Ellis Russell. 



1839. James Adams. James G. Corbus. 

1840. William P. Arnold. " " 



1841. " " Alvarado Brown. 

1842. " " " " 

1843. " " " " 

1844. " " " " 

1845. " " " " 

1846. " " " " 

1847. " " Dan. M. Thomas. 

1848. " " " " 

1849. " " " " 

1850. " " John H. Edwards. 

1851. " " Nathan B.IIewett. 

1852. " " " " 

1853. Lyman Cole. " " 

1854. " " " " 

1855. Peter M. Newberry. Moses A. Hewett. 

1856. Ebenezcr Mudge. Benj. F. Clark. 

1857. William Newberry. Moses A. Ilewctt. 

1858. " ■' " 

1859. Orrin M. Bowen. Julius J. Gregory. 

1860. " 

1861. " " Milan M. Brown. 

1862. " " " " 

1863. John II. Jones. " " 

1864. " " " " 

1865. " " Moses A. Hewett. 

1866. " " Jay L. Taylor. 

1867. William P. Arnold. Daniel W. Sawyer. 

1868. " " " " 

1869. John Sebring. " " 

1870. Ucz. B. Edmouston. Milan M. Brown. 

1871. William P. Arnold. " " 

1872. John H. Jones. Daniel W. Sawyer. 



Justices of the Peace. 
John Cornish. 
James G. Corbus. 
Samuel Beach. 
Enos G. Berry. 
Luther Stiles. 
James G. Corbus. 
Solomon Wood. 
James Smith. 
Moses Trim. 
Peries Lincoln. 
Enos G. Berry. 
James Clizbe. 
it It 

Aaron McGinness. 
C. E. Whitney. 
Ebenezer Mudge. 
Stephen Edmonds. 
Aaron McGinness. 
Winsor 0. Campbell. 
James G. Corbus. 
Joseph Berry. 
David W. Baker. 
James G. Corbus. 
Samuel Etheridge. 
Allen C. Culver. 
Job W. Briggs. 
Alansou Hargcr. 
James G. Corbus. 
Ebenezer Mudge. 
John H. Jones. 
Abijah Mo:?her. 
Amos Culver. 
Ezra Perry. 
John H. Jones. 
Martin Hawley. 
Amos Culver. 
Charles A. Edmonds. 
Rodney K. Twadell. 
Murrav Iviiowles. 
Jacob Kincaid. 
Aaron W. Barber. 
Martin Hawley. 
Clark C. Sears. 
George B. Knight. 
Aaron W. Barber. 
Alvarado Brown. 
Clark C. Sears. 



1873. 



Supervisors. 
John II. Jones. 



Town Clerks. 
Daniel AV. Sawyer. 



1874. William P. Arnold. 

1875. " " 

1876. " " 

1877. Jacob Kincaid. 

1878. Edson Blackman. 

Treasurers.* 
1836. (No record.) 

1S37. " " 



1838. John Broughton. 

1839. Joseph Berry. 



1840. 



1841. 



1842. 



1843. 



it tt 



it tt 



tt tt 



tt tt 



1844. " 



1845. 



Assessors. 
Samuel H. Berry. 
Luther Briggs. 
James Adams. 
John Broughton. 
Asahel Brown. 
William Prentiss. 
Lemuel Sowle. 
John Cornish. 
Solomon Wood. 
Rice Arnold. 
Peter M. Newberry. 
William Prentiss. 
Lester Broughton. 
Peries Lincoln. 
Peter M. Newberry. 
E. L. Donahue. 
Lyman Cole. 
Alpheus Williams. 
John Broughton. 
Alva Burlison. 
Lyman Cole. 
Alpheus Williams. 

Alva Burlison. 
Elisha Williams. 

Winsor 0. Campbell 
Asa C. Bowen. 

Lyman Cole. 
W. B. Foster. 



Justices of the Peace. 
Ezra Berry. 
George B. Knight. 
Almeron J. Wright, 
Zebedee Swan. 
Almeron J. Wright. 
Aaron W. Barber. 
Clark C. Sears. 
Rogers W. Berry. 
Henry D. Pessel. 

Highway Commissioners. 
Joseph T. Burnham. 
Pearsou Anson. 
James Adams. 
Israel R. Hall. 
Geo. P. Babcoek. 
George Boon. 



1846. Joseph T. Burnham. Alvah Burlison. 

Joseph W. Kennon. 



1847. 



1848. " " 

1849. Ira Clizbe. 

1850. Timothy Lockwood. 

1851. Aaron McGinness. 

1852. " " 

1853. .Jacob C. Boon. 

1854. Daniel Williams. 

1855. Ilosea J. Corbus. 



(Supervisor.) 



Alvah Burlison. 
John Nichols. 
(Supervisor.) 



Peter Shook. 
John Nichols. 
(Supervisor.) 



1856. Otis Gager. 

1857. Milan M. Blown. 

1858. Hez'h li. E'lmonston. 

1859. Jacob Weaver. 

1860. Harlow W.Williams. 



1861. William P. Arnold. 



James Adams. 
Barnabas Wing. 
Lester Broughton. 
Winsor 0. Campbell. 
Joseph T. Burnham. 
Peter M. Newberry. 
Ansel Nichols. 
Lester Broughton. 
Alpheus Williams. 
George Boon. 
Lester Broughton. 
Harvey F. Babcoek. 
George Boon. 
Peter Shook. 
David Perry. 
Job H. Moore. 
George Boon. 
Lucas Joseph. 
Harvey F. Babcoek. 
Lucas Joseph. 
Smith Bowen. 
Lucas Joseph. 
Harvey F. Babcoek. 
Smith Bowen. 
Alfred Willmarth. 
Wesley Lockwood. 
John Nichols. 
Lyman Cole. 
Lucas Joseph. 
H. F. Babcoek. 



R. N. T. D. Decker. 
James E. Gould. 
John Nichols. 
Delevan Tiukham. 
John Broughton. 

Stephen S.Lampman. 
George W. Chase. 
F. P. Williams. 
Lewis Linendol. 
Joseph T. Jones. 
Joseph S. Swan. 
Joseph T. Jones. 
tt tt 

Florello P. Williams. 
Walton J. Barnes. 
William Newberry. 
Nathan Swan. 
Jos. U. Withington. 



* Ellis Russell was elected collector in 1836 and Joseph Berry in 
1337. No treasurer was elected during tlie same time. 



180 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Treasurers. Assessors. 

1862. Thomas N". Barnes. (Superri.sor.) 

1863. Orlando F. Buell. 

1864. William P. Arnold. " 

1865. Lyman Witter. " 

186C. Daniel G. Williams. " 

1867. Lyman Witter. " 

1868. Zadock C. Kose. " 

1869. " " " 

1870. Guy E. Bennett. 

1871. " 

1872. Jay L. T.aylor. 

1873. Zadock C. Rose. " 

1874. Martin Hawley. " 

1875. Zadock C. Rose. " 

1876. " " " 

1877. Almeron J. Wright. " 

1878. Cyrus Wilcox. " 



Higiiway CouiDiissionera. 
Nathan Swan. 
William Newberry. 
William W. Culver. 

Aaron W. Barber. 
Jeremiah B. Wheeler. 

George H. Lafleur. 
Z. G. Swan. 
Rella M. Campbell. 
William P. Harman. 
Jacob Weaver. 
Reuben A. Baggerly. 
Rella M. Campbell. 
Reuben A. Baggerly. 
Levi Swan. 
Peter M. Newberry. 
Rodney K. Twadell. 
(( it 

John R. Morey. 



INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 

Cliicago Road. — The United States military road, which 
extends from Detroit to Chicago, better known as the 
" Chicago turupiice," enters the town from the east, and 
running due west through the centre of sections 13 and 
14, thence bears off to the southwest, intersecting in its 
further course sections 15, 16, 21, 20, and 19. 

It passes through the centre of Quincy village. It was 
the first highway projected and completed tlirough the 
township, and this portion of it was finished during the 
summer of 1833. 

First Highwdi/s Established hy Tiirnpilce Authorities. — 
In August, 1836, James Adams and Pear.son Anson, com- 
posing a majority of the first board of highway commis- 
sioners, established five roads, described by Lemuel Sowle, 
surveyor, as follows : 

" 1st. Beginning on the north side of township 6, south 
of range 5 west, at the northwest corner of section 3, and 
the northeast corner of section 4, thence south on the sec- 
tion line to the Chicago road. 

" 2d. Beginning at the northwest corner of section 4, 
and the northeast corner of section 5, township 6 south, 
range 5 west, thence south to the Chicago road. 

" 3d. Also a road in township 6 south, range 5 west, 
beginning at the northwest corner of section 5, and the 
northeast corner of section 6, thence south to the Chicago 
road. 

" 4th. Also a road in township 6 south, range 5 west, 
beginning at the quarter post on the north side of section 
2, and running south to the Chicago road. 

" 5th. Also a road in township 6 south, range 5 west, 
beginning at the quarter-post on the centre of section 7, 
thence running south to the Chicago road." 

Railroads. — The Lake Shore and INIichigan Southern 
Railroad enters the town from the east, and runs in a 
southwest course through the central part. Quincy village 
is its only station in the township. It was completed in 
1851-52. The building of this railroad was the most im- 
portant event in the history of the township, and to that 
cause may be ascribed its present prosperity. 

Mr. Lucas Joseph was prominently identified with the 
establishment of the station at this point, and erected the 



warehouse used for storage purposes at the present time. 
It is said that he assisted to line and score every stick of 
hewn timber in the building. The earth and trestle-work 
approaches to the building were built by Dr. Enos G. Berry, 
who sub-contracted from Mr. Joseph. 

Quincy Chain Lake Channel Company. — By an in- 
spection of the maps of Southern Michigan and Northern 
Indiana, the reader will observe that a chain of lakes ex- 
tends in a southwestern direction from Quincy, Mich., to 
Orland, Ind., the distance between the two points being 
about forty miles. These lakes lie five hundred feet above 
Lake Erie. Several of them are beautiful sheets of water ; 
especially is it so of Marble and Coldwater. Their waters 
are deep and clear, and to lovers of the sport piscatorial 
aflford excellent fishing-grounds for taking the mammoth 
pickerel, bass, and white-fish which abound in their depths. 
Those included in the first twenty miles from Quincy are 
all on the same level, are separated one from another by but 
short spaces of intervening land, and, no doubt, until within 
a very recent period of the world's history, were one con- 
tinuous body of water. 

In the month of March, 1878, Mr. James Donovan, of 
Quincy, conceived the idea of connecting these lakes, and 
navigating them by dredging a channel from one to another. 
Communicating his views to R. W. Berry, Esq., they decided 
it to be practical, and at once called civil engineers and 
practical dredging men to the survey of the proposed route, 
who pronounced the scheme feasible, and a good one. On 
the 19th of April, 1878, Mes.srs. Donovan and Berry began 
the canvass for subscriptions to form a stock company. By 
June their purpose was accomplished, and a meeting of the 
stockholders being called, a company was then formed under 
the corporate title of " Quincy Chain Lake Channel Com- 
pany," with nine directors, James Donovan as President, 
R. W. Berry, Secretary and Treasurer. June 24, four bids 
were received for doing the dredging, and the contract was 
finally awarded to Wilcox Brothers & Stock, of Toledo, 
Ohio. Work on the dredge-boat was immediately com- 
menced, and August 3 the dredge " Channel Pioneer" was 
launched from the foot of " Hog's Back," there being as- 
sembled about eight thousand people, — an assemblage seldom 
if ever equaled in numbers in Branch County. August 
16, work was commenced on the channel, and steadily pro- 
gressed until the frosts of winter compelled a cessation. 
At this time about nine miles are completed, which connects 
with the Lake Shore Railroad. 

A steam yacht was launched December 3, which, when 
finished, will accommodate three hundred people, and a 
larger boat is to be placed upon the lakes the coming spring. 
According to present contract, twenty miles will be opened 
to navigation June 1 , 1879, and when all contemplated water- 
ways are opened, excursionists, sportsmen, and pleasure-seek- 
ers will here find a locality unsurpassed by any between 
Toledo and Chicago. 

STATISTICAL — 1837-1874. 

1837. — A complete list of the resident land-owners in 
Quincy township in 1837, showing also their location by 
sections, the number of acres owned, and the kind and 
number of live stock possessed by each at that period : 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



181 



Lyman Cole, Section 12, 120 acres, one cow. 

Ansel Nichols, Section 1, 240 acres, two cows, two oxen. 

I'l-lur Shook, Section 1, lS(i acres, 1 cow. 

lienjamin Allen, Section 1, lliO acres. 

David W. liaker, Sections 1:1 anil M, .■!20 acres, one cow. 

Ambrose (iroiv. Section H, 270 acres, two cows, one horse. 

Kllis Kussell, Section II, 80 acres, one cow, two o.\en. 

William S. Russell, Section M, SO acres. 

Oeorge Boon, Sections 12 and IS, IfiO acres, two cows, two oxen. 

William Laii^hlin, Section 2.1, 20 acres, one cow. 

Junics jM. liurdick, Section 21, 80 acres, one cow. 

James Darling, Section 23, 20 acres, one cow. 

Abrain Vesschius, Section 24, 80 acres, two horses. 

James G. Corbus, .Section 1.3, 120 acres, one cow, one horse. 

Alva Burlison, Sections 12, 1.1, and 24, 240 acres, one cow, one 

horse, two oxen. 
William Prentiss, Section 13, 40 acres. 
Morris F. Ilawes. 

Marcus Curtiss, Sections I'J and 20, 7 acres. 
Alva Clark, Section 9, 80 acres. 
Bartholomew llewelt, .'iections 17 and 21, 220 acres. 
Squire Alger, Section '.I, ."<0 acres, one cow, two oxen. 
Enos (i. Berry, Sections 21 ami 22, 160 acres, one cow, two horses. 
Joseph Berry, Section 15, 75 acres, three cows, two horses. 
James Adams, Sections 10 and 15, 120 acres, two cows, two oxen. 
Pearson Anson, .Section 15, 1 acre. 

D. S. Baglcy, .Section 15, 1 acre, two cows, one horse. 
Simeon Oager, Section 15, 1 acre. 

John Broughton, Sections 22, 28, 29, ItiO acres, two cows, two 

horses. 
John llimrod, .Section 28, 40 acres. 
Lester Broughton, .Section 28, 40 acres, one cow. 
Walter Loomis, Section 15, 80 acres, <me cow, one horse, t\vo oxen. 
John Cornish, Sections and 15, 200 acres, one cow, two horses. 
Henry Van Hj-uing, Sections 17 and 20, 120 acres, two horses. 
Abram Craft, Section 20, 40 acres, one cow. 
Lemuel Sowle, Section 20, 40 acres. 
James Hansom, Section 20, 100 acres, one cow. 
Alanson Harger, Sections 20 and 21, 120 acres, one cow. 
Levi (j. Kiee, Section 18, SO acres, two cows. 
James Smith, Sections 5 and 19, 90 acres, one cow, two horses. 
Alexander Reynolds, Sections 18 and 19, 450 acres, two cows, one 

horse. 
Henry McConnell, Section 19, 80 acres. 

David Newell, Sections IS and 19, 160 acres, one cow, two horses. 
John Sinclair, Section 9, SO acres, two oxen. 
Joseph Howell, Section IS, SO acres, two cows, two oxen. 
George Ross, Section 7, 80 acres, one cow. 
Barnabas Wing, Section 7, 40 acres, two oxen. 
Al|iheus Williams, Section 7, 120 acres, one cow, two oxen. 
Philander Corless, Section IS, 80 acres, two cows, two oxen. 
Iliram Corless, Sections 17, IS, and 19, GSO acres, three cows, one 

horse, four oxen. 
David Ulimd, Section 8, SO acres. 
Madison Brown, Section 8, SO acres. 

II. Francis Babcock, Section 17, 100 acres, one cow, two oxen. 
George P. Babcock, Sections 5 and 8, 240 acres. 
Chauncey E. Whitney, Section 8, 100 acres, one cow, two oxen. 
.Simeon Babcock, Section 5, SO acres, two cows. 
Caleb Burlingame, .Section S, 90 acres. 
Russell Darwin, Section 5, GO acres. 

E. L. Donahee, Section 5, 92 acres, one cow, two oxen. 
Ansclum R. Arnold, Sections 18 and 19, 108 acres, two horses, 

two oxen. 
Isaac Otis, Sections I'J. 10 acres. 

1874. 

Population 2,497 

Number of farmers 278 

Acres in farm lands '. 19.176 

" improved 14,732 

" wheat growing June, 1874 3,098 

" " harvestol, 1873 2,635 

" corn " " 2,390 

Bushels wheat " " 33,081 

" corn " " 74,356 

" other grain harvested, 1873 31,315 



Bushels potatoes harvested, 1873 13,113 

Tons hay " " 2,447 

Pounds wool sheared, " 26,709 

pork marketed, " 239,494 

" chcesemade, " 21,014 

butter, " 12.5,440 

" fruit dried for market, " 32,301 

" maple-sugar mode, " 6,650 

Barrels cider made, " 1,205 

Acres in fruits, " S22 

Value of fruit and vegetable products, 1873 $19,440 

Horses over one year old, 1874 851 

.Mules 9 

Work oxen 33 

Milch cows 974 

Cattle over one year old other than cows and oxen 747 

Swine over six months old 942 

Sheep " " '• 6,462 

" sheared, 1873 5,663 

Number of manufacturing establishments 16 

** using steam-power 8 

'* persons employed 108 

Capital invested $110,300 

Value of products $207,000 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school-house erected in the township was built 
in the spring of 1 837. It was a log structure, and stood 
upon the grounds now owned by the railroad company in 
the village of Quincy. Mi.ss Anna Roberts, of Coldwatcr, 
taught the first school in this house during the same sum- 
mer. During the fall of 1837 a small frame school-house 
was built in the " Hog Creek district," and in 1838 the 
third school-house — a log one — was built on the Une of the 
Chicago road, two miles west of Quincy village. Although 
school commissioners and inspectors have been annually 
elected since 1836, no record of their proceedings, prior to 
1847, are preserved. 

April 24, 1847, certificates to teach primary schools were 
granted to Minerva Smith, Sarah JMudge, Charlotte H. Cor- 
bus, Dorisca C. Howe, and Mary F. Beach. 

From a report made May 25, 1847, we find that the 
total number of children of school age residing in the 
town,ship, and the amount of money apportioned, was as 
follows : 

District. Scholars. Money Apport'd. 

No. 1 53 $10.59 

" 2 56 17.53 

" 3 51 15.97 

" 4 41 12.84 

" 5 73 22.86 

•' 7 31 9.71 

" 8 21 6.58 

Total 326 $102.08 

From the report of the school inspectors of the township, 
made for the year ending Sept. 2, 1878, we take the follow- 
ing statistics : 

Whole number of districts and parts of districts. * 10 

Whole districts 5 

Parts of districts 5 

School-houses in the township 10 

Brick school-houses 1 

Frame school-houses 9 

Seating capacity of all the school-houses 805 

Value of school property $21,125.00 

Children of school age residing in the township. 750 

Children attending school during the year 666 

Number of graded schools 1 

Male teachers employed during the year 10 

Female teachers employed during the year 16 

Aggregate number of months taught by male 

teachers ^9^ 

Aggregate number of months taught by female 

teachers 763 

Salary pai<l to male teachers $2,063.50 

Salary paid to female teachers $1,415.20 

Total payments to teachers $3,478.70 



182 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



RECEIPTS. 

Moneys on hand Sept. 2. 1877 $843.19 

Two-mill tax..: 820.25 

Primary school fund 347.77 

Tuition, non-resident scholars 94.62 

District taxes for all purposes 3,915.24 

Raised for all other purposes 52.98 

Total resources for the year $6,074.05 

EXPENDITURES. 

Teachers' wages -. $3,478.70 

Building and repairs 44.66 

Bonded indebtedness 1,209.31 

All other purjuises 771.38 

Amount on hand Sept. 2, 1878 571.62 

Total expenditures including am'nt on hand. $6,075.67 

Excess of expenditures over receipts 1.62 

Total indebtedness of the districts (which belongs 

to District No. 2) Sept. 2, 1878 $1,500.00 



QUINCY VILLAGE. 

Quinoy, an incorporated village of about 1800 inhabi- 
tants, is centrally looateJ in the township of the same name. 
It is a station on the line of the Lake Shore and Michigan 
Southern Railroad, eighty-three miles from Toledo, one 
hundred and sixty-two from Chicago, and six miles east of 
Coldwater City, the county-seat. It is also on the line of 
the old " Chicago turnpike," one hundred miles southwest 
of Detroit. 

Situated in the midst of as fine an agricultural district as 
can be found in Southern Michigan, and in direct communi- 
cation with the great markets East and West, its import- 
ance as a commercial centre increases lai'gely year by year, 
and its business men are enabled to compete successfully 
with those of neighboring towns and cities for the trade of 
those who reside in outlying townships. 

It contains five churches, — Presbyterian, Methodist Epis- 
copal, Baptist, Adventists, and Disciple, — Union School 
Building, two hotels, " Quincy" and " Payette" Houses, three 
newspapers, — Times, Herald, and Literary Reporter, — one 
stave- and heading-factory, one sash- and blind-factory, one 
flouring-mill, one saw- and planing-mill, one saw-mill (ex- 
clusively), one foundry, one wire bed-spring factory, one 
broom-factory, two carriage-factories, two banks, four dry- 
goods stores, four drug-stores, five grocery -stores, three hard- 
ware-stores, one furniture-store, one clothing-store, two book- 
stores, one agricultural-store, two boot- and shoe-stores, two 
harness-stores, three jewelry-stores, four milliuery-stores, one 
picture-frame and moulding store, two commercial agen- 
cies, three sewing-machine agencies, one bakery, two meat- 
markets, one marble-cutter, one news-depot, two pump-stores, 
two photograph-galleries, two livery-stables, three paint- 
shops, two barber-shops, three carpenter-shops, five black- 
smith-shops, two tailor-shops, United States express-ofiice, 
two photographers, one dentist, three lawyers, one under- 
taking establishment, four physicians, and four clergymen. 

The foregoing list gives a total of about one hundred dif- 
ferent branches of mercantile, manufacturing, and profes- 
sional interests, and does not include mechanics who have 
no regular shops. 

As an illustration of the remarkable prosperity attending 
this community, the following statistics, compiled and pub- 
lished in a Herald supplement, Jan. 3, 1879, are appended : 



In the mercantile line the sales during tlic past year foot 
up about $250,000, not including produce. Of this there 
has been .sold groceries, S49,000 ; dry-goods, $86,000 ; hard- 
ware, $36,000 ; boots, shoes, and repairs, $27,000 ; drugs, 
and fancy articles, $21,000 ; clothing, $17,000 ; furniture 
and undertaking, $7800 ; harness and trimmings, $6800 ; 
pumps and repairs, $2900 ; agricultural implements, $8000; 
picture-frames and mouldings, $1500 ; sewing-machines, 
$1300 ; books, $1000 ; millinery, $4000. 

The sales of the manufactories will show an aggregate of 
$100,000. The arrivals at the hotels during the year 
1878, as shown by the registers, were 6700. During the 
six months ending Dec. 1, 1878, the banks report ex- 
change sold, $218,814.23 ; clearances, $1,929,000 ; de- 
posits, $669,016. 

The express-oiEce, under the management of G. B. 
Knight, sent out during the year, 2000 parcels and received 
3000. 

The post-office, M. M. Brown, postmaster, issued 1000 
money-orders ; and sold cards, stamps, envelopes, etc., to 
the amount of $1807. 

The railroad station, Thomas R. Rathburn, agent, furn- 
ishes a report of business unequaled by any station of the 
same population on the line. The amount of freight 
shipped during eleven months ending Dec. 1, 1878, was 
8,885,803 pounds ; freight received, 3,966,097 ; Yielding 
a revenue to the company, from freight alone, of $13,143. 
The freight shipped consisted of 3,678,705 pounds of 
grain, 1,222,950 pounds of apples, 1,891,872 pounds of 
manufactured articles, 980,325 pounds of live stock, 207,- 
700 pounds of flour, 205,470 pounds of vegetables, and 
698,281 pounds of miscellaneous freight. There were re- 
ceived from sale of tickets $7059. 

The live stock trade was represented by Messrs. E. B. 
Church, Andrew Torbron, Joseph ■ Barnes, and David 
Preddy, who purchased during the year 3250 hogs, 408 
cattle, 795 sheep, for which they paid out $34,385. 

ISIessrs. Daniel Larzelere and H. J. Scholey, representa- 
tives of the grain market, have during the same time paid 
out: for wheat and oats, $67,723 ; wool, $12,600 ; clover 
seed and buckwheat, $1455 ; and dressed pork, $1200. 

In the shops and manufactories 117 persons are em- 
ployed, and about the same number in mercantile places of 
business, hotels, livery, millinery, dressmaking and tailor- 
ing establishments. Among the special branches of busi- 
ness we find Dr. F. E. Marsh, who has gained a national 
reputation for his successful treatment of the " opium 
habit," and C. W. Bennett, who, with his " Excelsior Club 
List," has 500 papers and magazines upon his lists, 1000 
agents, and 20,000 patrons, who are located in every State, 
Territory, and province of North America, while England, 
Germany, and Japan are also represented. His monthly, 
The Literary Reporter, is mailed to 500 post-offices. 

IMuch else might be written concerning the business of 
the village and the activity of its inhabitants, but it will 
suffice to remark that a fine new brick hotel, a noble school 
edifice, and many tasteful private residences adorn its 
streets, while several of the brick blocks in the business 
centre would do no discredit to towns of much larger size 
and far greater pretensions. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



183 



ITS PIONEERS AND EARLY HISTORY. 

Tlic orij;in;il owners of its site were Jolin Curnish, John 
BrouglUon, Josopli Berry, Dr. Enos G. Berry, William P. 
Arnold, and others, whose names will be found in the list of 
" first land entries," — land scetions 15, 16, 21, and 22. 

The first house was built by John Curnish in the fall of 
1833 and was of logs. In the summer of 1834 he ereeted 
a frame hou.se on the site of Clark's Quincy House, which 
was opened by him as a tavern. lie seems to have resided 
here alone until the Berrys and John Broughton came in, 
in 1836. It is claimed that the only residents here in 
1842 were Joseph Herry, Enos G. Berry, Daniel S. Bag- 
ley, blacksmith and pettifogger, John Broughton, farmer, 
Alfred Wilmarth, Abel Coon, shoemaker, and Wm. P. 
Arnold, farmer. Joseph Berry kept tavern in the house 
erected by Cornish, and was also interested in a small store, 
which stood on the site of Turner's drug-store. The post- 
office was one mile west of the village, Dr. E. G. Berry, 
P. IM. 

The building and completion of the Lake Shore and 
Michigan Southern Railroad and the establishment of 
a station here, gave a slight impetus toward making 
this a central point. Still we find that in 1853 the 
village contained but about a dozen dwelling-houses, — ■ 
a tavern on the Quincy House site, kept by Windsor 
Campbell, while Charles Caswell kept the only store, which 
was situated where the agricultural store now stands. 
Benjamin F. Wheat was postmaster; Drs. Berry and 

Hewett the j)hysicians. Mr. Wheat settled here in 

1852, and the following year built a store upon the site of 
J. C. Bennett's Block. The building then erected is now 
occupied by L. B. Vaughn, on South Main Street. B. N. 
Sheldon came from Lenawee County, and settled here in 
October, 1853. He soon after engaged in the sale of drugs 
and groceries, occupping the building before mentioned a.s 
st-anding on the site of Turner's drug-store. He claims to 
have purchased the first wheat that was unloaded from the 
top of the embankment into the storehouse, — 1500 bu.shels, 
at 82 per bu.shel. 

The wooden row ou the southeast corner of Chicago and 
Main Streets, was built in 1855. The first brick store was 
erected the same year by Charles Caswell and Daniel Var- 
num, Ebenezer Mudge doing the mason-work. Harris Wil- 
bur built his store about 1858. IMartin Hawley built his 
saw-mill about three years previously.. The village was incor- 
porated in 1858, and according to the votes given to candi- 
dates for the Presidency, it then contained a population of 
about 400 inhabitants. The flouring-mill was erected by 
Spearman in 1863. The stave- and heading-fiictory, 

— from which should be dated the commencement of 
Quincy's career of growth and prosperity, — one year later. 

The post-office was made a money-order office in 1869. 
In 1870 the village contained a population of 000 inhab- 
itants. Its population has doubled since that period. As- 
sessed valuation of real estate, 1878, §522,485 ; total 
amount of taxes collected during the same year, 81200. 
The village is now free from debt, and has a fund of 
$1375.81 in its trea.sury. 

Among those who have done much towards building up 
the village, advanced its prosperity, and made it the pride 



of those who claim it as their residence to-day, we should 
mention the names of Josejih Berry, William P. Arnold, 
Enos G. Berry, Benj. F. Wheat, Simon Mowry, Horace 
Lownsberry, Cornelius Shear, Charles N. Wilcox, Ebenezer 
Mudge, Havens Wilbur, A. D. Young, H. D. Young, James 
Donovan, Mr. Conlcy, J. C. Bennett, Thomas Clark, Wil- 
liam Joseph, Lewis P. Swift, C. V. R. Pond, M. M. Brown, 
J. B. Sutton, and B. N. Sheldon. 

INCORPORATION. 

At a regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors for the 
county of Branch, held at the court-house in the village r)f 
Coldwater, in said county, on Thursday, Oct. 14, 1858, 
they enacted as follows : " That so much of the township 
of Quincy, in the county of Branch, as is included within 
the following boundaries, to wit : Commencing at the cen- 
tre of section No. 10, and running thence east to a point 
eighty rods east of the centre of section No. 15, thence 
south to the section-line between sections 15 and 22, thence 
west on said line eighty rods, thence south eighty rodsj 
thence west to the quarter-section line running north and 
south on section No. 21 , thence north on said quarter- 
section line to the place of beginning, shall be, and the 
same is hereby constituted, a town corporate, by the name 
and title of the village of Quincy.* 

" The fir.st election of .said corporation shall be held at 
the house of Emory W. Fillmore, in said village, on the 
third Monday of November next, and William P. Arnold, 
Ebenezer Mudge, and Moses A. Hewett are hereby ap- 
pointed inspectors thereof. This act to take immediate 
effect." 

FIRST CORPORATION ELECTION. 

At the first corporation election, which was held on 
Monday, Nov. 15, 1858, the whole number of votes east 
for the candidates for the office of village president being 
112, of which Ebenezer Mudge received 90, and Havens 
Wilbur 22. 

The following-named village officers were chosen at this 
election : Ebenezer Mudge, President ; Moses A. Hewett, 
Clerk ; Cornelius Shear, Havens Wilbur, David C. Myers, 
John Sebring, William P. Arnold, Martin Hawley, Trus- 
tees ; Harlow W. Williams, Julius I. Gregory. Assessors ; 
Allen C. Culver, Marshal ; Alden Gregory, Treasurer ; 
Harlow W. Willfam.s, Au.stiu Brown, Charles N. Wilcox, 
Street Commissioners ; Stephen Van Camp, Poundmsistcr. 

The following is a tabular list of the presidents, clerks, 
and treasurers of the village of Quincy from 1858 to 1879, 
inclusive : 



Presidents. 

1858. Ebenezer Mudge. 

1859. William P. Arnold. 

1860. Alden Gregory. 

1861. Cornelius Shear. 

1862. Joseph Berry. 

1863. John Sebring. 

1864. " " 

1865. Charles N. Wilco.x. 

1866. Cornelius Shear. 

1867. David C. Myers. 



* By recent additions the corporate limit:? now umijrticc a territory 
of about TOO scjuare acres. 



Clerks. 

Moses A. Howctt. 
it it 

tt It 

Benj. F. Clark. 

Ebenozer Mudge. 



TreASurers. 
Alden Gregory. 
William J. Briggs. 
tt tt 

Barber N. .«hcIdon. 
Benj. F. Wheat. 
Gideon 0. Bailey. 
Thomas Clark. 



184 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Presidents. Clerks. Treasurers. 

1868. David C. Myers. Ebenezcr Mudge. Thomas Clarli. 

1869. " " " " " " 

1870. " " " " George B. Knight. 

1871. Horace Lownsberry. " " " " 

1872. " " " " " 

1873. Jacob Kincaid. " " Almeron J. Wright. 

1874. " " " " " " 

1875. " " " " Almon L. Lytle. 

1876. " " " " Alfred A. Bowen. 

1877. Walton J. Barnes. " " Stephen H. Loveland. 

1878. " " " " George B. Knight. 

1879. " " " " " " 

Village Officers, 1879. — Walton J. Barnes, President; 
Ebenezer Mudge, Recorder; Cornelius Shear, Edson Black- 
man, Lewis P. Swift, James Donovan, Edwin B. Church, 
Benjamin F. Wheat, Trustees ; Milan M. Brown, Assessor ; 
George B. Knight, Treasurer ; Robert Martin, Marshal ; 
Robert Martin, Street Commissioner ; Francis M. Rustine, 
Fire- Warden ; Philander Mead, Poundmaster. 

A TREASURY TILT. 

At a meeting of the board of trustees, held March 12, 
18G0, it was resolved, " That A. Mosher be, and is hereby 
authorized to take such measures as he may deem proper 
to collect the balance of the money remaining in the hands 
of the treasurer on settlement, and which he (the treasurer) 
refuses to pay over ; and if he thinks proper may appeal 
the suit that has already been tried, wherein the village of 
Quincy was plaintiff and said treasurer was defendant. 

" Provided, That said Mosher is to prosecute at his own 
expense if he should fail in the collection. But if he 
should succeed the village is to bear the expense." 

PEACE AND ORDER MUST BE MAINTAINED. 

]May 19, 1866, the president was instructed by the board 
of trustees " to obtain satisfaction of A. Schofield for 
breaking the village pound, — peacefnlly if he can, by 
resort to law if he must." 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Before the village was incorporated, or very soon there- 
after, it became possessed of some hooks, a ladder, and pails, 
which were kept on hand in readiness to fight the fiery ele- 
ment when necessary. But just when or how they were 
obtained the records fail to show. 

At a meeting of the board of trustees, held March 18, 
1862, it was voted that $125 be raised to defray the ex- 
pense of building a suitable structure to be used as a jail 
or lock, and to store hooks, ladder, pails, etc., for the vil- 
lage of Quincy. This vote was rescinded at the next 
meeting. 

Jan. 21, 1863, E. Mudge was authorized to procure 8 
ladders, two to be 40 feet in length, two 30 feet, two 24 
feet, and two 16 feet in length. Feb. 2, same year, he 
was further authorized to contract for one large and three 
hand fire-hooks, four ladder-forks, and for ironing the feet 
of the ladders. 

Jan. 7, 1869, the recorder was authorized to purchase 
"100 feet of hose, of IJ inches diameter, three-ply, and 
in two sections, with two pipes, couplings, wrenches, etc. 

Quincy Union Fire Compani^. — At a meeting of the 



board of trustees held Jan. 24, 1871, B. F. Clark offered 
the following resolution : " That the Common Council of 
the village of Quincy do hereby authorize Horace Lowns- 
berry, Guy E. Bennett, Edward Hewett, E. S. Throop, 
George Day, H. B. Edmonston, D. W. Young, and 32 
others to organize themselves into a fire company under 
the village charter, and to be known by the name of the 
Quincy Union'Fire Company ; their apparatus to consist of 
hooks, ladders, and fire-buckets." Resolution adopted. 

The following-named persons received certificates as mem- 
bers of this company, Feb. 13, 1871 : Horace Lownsberry, 
Guy E. Bennett, Ed. Hewett, George Day, J. W. Mason, 
E. Throop, H. B. EdmonstTon, David Young, Whit. Lamp- 
man, James Macklem, S. L. Dorris, T. J. Cooley, D. D. Var- 
num, B. Bush, W. H. Cole, A. S. Hanks, Charles Hotaling, 
Moses Lampman, Green Arnold, D. W. Carey, George Tib- 
bitts, L. Truwell, C. Cummings, J. H. Wilber, W. J. Wil- 
ber, P. Downing, M. Crater, J. Salisbury, S. Avery, E. A. 
Turner, F. Paddock, Byron Rustine, A. J. Wright, Hiram 
Bennett, C. W. Brownell, D. Harding, John Lownsberry, 
B. F. Wheat, Reuben Cole, John Greening, R. Holden, 
George Chambers, M. Rustine, W. H. Mcintosh, George 
Warren, Lyman Palmer, H. Wilkinson, Ed. West, Charles 
Haight, H. C. Porter, and H. H. Hunt. During the 
months of April and May, 1871, the board of trustees 
caused the construction of a house, wagon, etc., and pur- 
chased 2 J dozen now fire-buckets, all at an expense of 
$395. 

June 2, 1871, the apparatus was formally turned over 
to the care of the new fire company. 

A few weeks later W. H. Mcintosh and James Mack- 
lem were paid 1100 reward for the prosecution and convic- 
tion of G. W. Ryan, an incendiary. 

In November, 1873, an engine, hose-carriage, and 300 
feet of hose were purchased of the city of Adrian for $700. 
Nov. 24, 1873, Horace Lownsberry was elected the first 
chief engineer of the fire department. 

Iloolc-and- Ladder Company, No. 1, W. J. Barnes, fore- 
man, was organized with 13 members, Dec. 12, 1873. 
"Protection Engine Company, No. 1," J. E. Hewett, fore- 
man, with 28 members, was organized and accepted by the 
village council the same date. 

Alert Hose Company, Moses Lampman, foreman, was 
organized Dec. 24, 1873. The fire department and fire 
apparatus was then committed to the care of Chief-Engi- 
neer Lownsberry, and the old hook-and-ladder company 
was disbanded by order of the village trustees. 

June 14, 1875, $150 was appropriated to purchase caps 
for the engine company. A fine bell, weighing 311 pounds, 
was purchased in May, 1876, at a cost of about $100. C. 
V. R. Pond was elected chief-engineer March 12, 1877, 
and occupies the position at the present time. The present 
fire apparatus consists of the engine, truck, and hose-car- 
riage previously mentioned, all apparently in good service- 
able condition. 

Fire Department Officers, 1879. — Francis M. Rustine, 
Fire- Warden; C. V. R. Pond, Chief-Engineer; Horace 
Lownsberry, Assistant Chief-Engineer. 

Protection Fnyine Company, No. 1. — Thomas Lennon, 
Foreman ; Andrew Shade, Assistant Foreman ; Sau)uel 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



185 



Blake, Secretary ; Vj. A. Tumor, Treasurer ; O. J. Rebar, 
Steward; Charles Haiglit, Warden. 

Alert Hose Company. — Green Arnold, Foreman ; D. W. 
Young, Assistant Foreman; Morris Crater, Treasurer; 
Cliarles Skinner, Secretary ; George W. Dilts, Steward. 

lIoiih-iinil-Litdder Oympuny, No. 1. — S. H. Lovelaud, 

Foreuian ; A. J. Hill, Assistant Foreman ; S. A. Withing- 

ton. Secretary ; S. S. Leland, Treasurer ; William IMarkel, 

Steward. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The new.spapers of tlie village are the Times, Herald, 
and Lllcrary Reporter. The reader is referred for further 
particulars to tlie chapter on the jiress of Branch County. 

BANKS. 

The banking-house of Charles R. Hannan was estab- 
lished under the firm-name of Lee & Hannan in April, 
1877. That this house has enjoyed a reasonable degree 
of pro.sperity is evinced by a partial statement found ujxin 
a preceding page. 

Mr.J. B. Sutton, merchant, also does a large banking 
business under the title of " Citizens' Bank." 

(2UINCY STAVK- AND I! EAllI NCiKAOTOllV. 

This establishment, the most important manufacturing 
enterpri.se in the villagi^, was established by 11. L. and E. 
G. Lownsberry and L. P. Alden in the spring of 1864. 
Willard Kidder, J. B. Sutton, J. M. and J. B. Quereau 
have, at various periods, been interested as partners. The 
business is now controlled by Messrs. II. L. and E. G. 
Lownsberry and J. M. Quereau, under the firm-name of H. 
L. Lownsberry & Co. They use an engine of 40 horse- 
power, employ 50 men, and have a capacity for making 
20,000 staves and 200 sets of heading per day. 

UNION SCHOOL. 

The Union Graded School of the village is an institution 
of which her citizens may well feel proud. The contrast 
afforded between the present condition of school matters 
and the time when the little log school-house stood down 
near the railroad is so great that the generations of to-day 
have no appreciation of the difficulties under which chil- 
dren of forty years ago labored to obtain a common-school 
education. 

The present substantial brick edifice Wij-s erected in 1869, 
at a cost of $9000. From the last school report, dated 
Sept. 1, 1878, we obtain the following statistics: Children 
of school-age in the district, 320 ; children attending school 
during the year, 280 ; average daily attendance, 188 ; seat- 
ing capacity of school building, 300 ; value of school prop- 
erty, $ 1 5,0(J0 ; male teachers employed, 2 ; female teachers 
employed, 4 ; paid male teachers, $1154 ; paid female teach- 
ers, $988. 

Board of Education, 1879. — J. Kincaid, Moderator; 
Alvarado Brown, Director ; M. M. Brown, Assessor ; E. 
Blackmail, R. W. Berry, L. Joseph, M. M. Brown, A. 
Brown, and J. Kincaid, Trustees. 

Teachein.—Vrof. H. M. Fish, I'riiuipal ; Miss Ada A. 
Newton, Precept re.s.s ; Mi.ss Minnie (iilclirist. Grammar De- 
partnieiit ; Mi.ss Ella Gregory, First Primary Department; 
24 



Miss May Wilson, Second Primary Department ; Mrs. Belle 
Wendell, Intermediate Department. 

MEDICAL. 

As before mentioned, Dr. Enos G. Berry w;is the first 
resident phy.sician, and enjoyed a successful practice for 
many years. Dr. Hewett was the next to locate. Among 
other physicians who have practiced here were Drs. John 

C. Miles, J. II. Wood, Remington, L. A. Herrick, 

and Gould. The medical staff of the present is rep- 
resented by Drs. F. E. Marsh, Richard Wood, Charles E. 
Smith, Edson Blackman, and H. A. King. Dr. Marsh 
came here in 1860 ; Dr. R. Wood a year or so later. 

BAR. 

The village bar of the present is represented by Mc^ssrs. 
Ezra Berry, R. W. Berry, M. D. Campbell, and B. F. 
Clark. 

SECRET BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATIONS. 

Mt. Vernon Lodge, Ko. 166, F. and A. M. — Dispensa- 
tion granted Dec. 21, 1864. First meeting hold under dis- 
pensation, Dec. 24, 1864. First Worshipful Ma.ster under 
dispensation, Bro. Martin Hawley. Date of charter, Jan. 
13, 1865. The first election of oflBcers was held Jan. 16, 
1865, with the following result: Wor.shipful Master, Bro. 
Thomas S. Dorsey ; Senior Warden, Bro. Martin Hawley ; 
.Junior Warden, Bro. Alvin W. Gould ; Treas., Bro. Jacob 

C. Bennett; Sec, Bro. Ralph D. M.Turner; Senior Dea- 
con, Bro. James H. Woods; Junior Deacon, Bro. Henry 

D. Daggett ; Tyler, Bro. A. Judson Burroughs ; Stewards, 
Bros. Francis M. Bissell and John H. Jones; Chaplain, 
Bro. Levi Daggett. 

The Masonic Hall was erected in 1867. 

The following is a list of the W. M.'s from 1866 to date, 
March 1, 1879: 1866, Bro. Thomas S. Dorsey; 1867, 
Bro. Martin Hawley; 1868, Bro. Martin Hawley; 1869, 
Bro. Martin Hawley ; 1870, Bro. L. Jay Carrell ; 1871, Bro. 
John W. Mason ; 1872, Bro. John W. Mason ; 1873, Bro. 
A. Reuben Knowles; and 1874, Bro. A. R. Knowles, until 
June 24; 1874, from June 24, Bro. Edward S. Throop ; 
1875, Bro. Edward S. Throop; 1876, Bro. Edward S. 
Throop; 1877, Bro. Henry D. Pessell ; 1878, Bro. Henry 

D. Pessell. 

The following are the officers for 1879 : W. M., Francis 

E. Marsh ; S. W., Cornelius V. R. Pond; J. W., Warren 
J. Wilbur; Sec, Dan W. Sawyer; Treas., Henry D. 
Young; S. D., John W. Mason; J. D., George W. Dilts; 
Tyler, Alexander Cummings ; Stewards, Merritt Niles and 
Charles D. Skinner. 

Regular communications, Thursday evening on or before 
the full moon in each month. 

EdYPTIAN MASONIC RITE OF MEMPHIS. 

Sharon Rose-Oroix Chapter, No. 36.-. E.-. M.\ R.\ of 
M.-. was organized May 10, A.L. 5878, a.d. 1878, under 
a charter dated at the Sovereign Sanctuary, in the Valley 
of Chicago, bearing same date. 

The following-named Knights were duly elected, and were 
inslall.'.l by 'h.' M. W. (irand Master, Calvin C. Burt, 96°, 
of Jackson, Mich.: Most Wise, Ke.sp. Kt.. C. V. R. i'oud, 



186 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



95° ; Senior Warden, Resp. Kt. F. E. Marsh, 95° ; Junior 
Warden, Resp. Kt. H. D. Pessell, 95° ; Orator, Sir Kt. 
R. W. Berry, 90° ; Archivist, Sir Kt. Dan W. Sawyer, 90° ; 
Treas., Sir. Kt. Horace Lovvnsbcrry, 90° ; Conductor, Sir 
Kt. H. H. Hunt, 90° ; Capt. of the Guard, Sir Kt. C. D. 
Sicinner, 90° ; Guard of the Tower, Sir Kt. J. N. Salisbury, 
90° ; Sentinel, Sir Kt. George W. Dilts, 90°. 

Regular conclave, first Tuesday evening each month, at 
Masonic Hall. 

C. O. LOOMIS POST,* NO. 2, DEPT. OF MICHIGAN, G. A. R. 

Post organized Jan. 22, 1876, with the following char- 
ter membei-s : Dan W. Sawyer, B. F. Clark, D. C. Myers, 
W. H. Thurber, Thos. Lennon, C. D. Skinner, E. A. Tur- 
ner, Geo. W. Rathbun, F. M. Rustine, J. C. Nichols, Wm. 
Wilson, A. M. Turner, H. H. Hunt, and Hiram Rustine. 

At the first election of officers the following comrades 
were duly elected and installed : Post Commander, Com- 
rade Dan W. Sawyer; Son. Vice-Com'r, Comrade B. F. 
Clark ; Jun. Vice-Com'r, Comrade D. C. Myers ; Quarter- 
master, Comrade Thos. Lennon ; Surgeon, Comrade E. A. 
Turner ; Chaplain, Comrade C. D. Skinner ; Officer of the 
Day, Comrade G. W. Rathbun ; Officer of the Guard, 
Comrade F. M. Rustine ; Adjutant, Comrade W. H. Thur- 
ber. 

Post Commander for 1877, Comrade Dan W. Sawyer ; 
1878, Comrade W. H. Thurber. 

Officers, 1879. — Post Commander, Comrade H. H. 
Hunt; S. V. Com'r, Comrade A. J. Belote; J. V. Com'r, 
Comrade Ransom Corey ; Quartermaster, Comrade Thos. 
Lennon ; Surgeon, Comrade M. D. Wood ; Chaplain, Com- 
rade B. N. Sheldon ; Officer of the Day, Comrade Wm. 
H. Palmatier ; Officer of the Guard, Comrade Alex. Cum- 
mings. 

The post meets every other Friday evening at Odd-Fel- 
lows' Hall. 

QUINCV CHAPTER, NO. 30, ORDER OF THE EASTERN STAR. 

This lodge was instituted Jan. 12, 1875, with 20 char- 
ter members, by Deputy Grand Secretary, Sister Alma 
Mansfield, of Coldwater, Mich. The first board of officers 
was — Miss Neil E. Hannah, W. President ; Mrs. Mary 
Skinner, Sec. ; Miss Sarah M. Throop, Treas. ; Mrs. S. L. 
Mar.sh, Conductor; Miss E. A. Whelan, 1st Patron; Mrs. 
P]. W. Dommyre, 2d Patron ; Mrs. Josephine Cole, 3d 
Patron ; Miss Jennie Johnson, -ith Patron ; Mrs. Mary 
White, 5th Patron ; Miss Clara Hedge, Guard ; Mr. Lewis 
Higgins, Sentinel. 

Officers, 1879. — Mrs. S. L. Marsh, Worthy Matron ; 
Mr. Lewis Higgins, Worthy Patron ; Mrs. Josephine Cole, 
Associate Matron ; Mrs. Mary R. King, Sec. ; Miss Clara 
Hedge, Treas. ; Mre. Mary Skinner, Conductress ; Mrs. 
Wilson, Associate Conductress ; Mrs. Sarah Lamp- 
man, 1st Patron ; Mrs. Alice Wilbur, 2d Patron ; Mrs. 
Norah Sawyer, 3d Patron ; Mrs. Corlyn Sellick, 4th Pa- 
tron ; Mrs. Mason, 5th Patron ; Mrs. E. A. With- 

iugton. Warder ; Mr. Nathan Skinner, Sentinel. 



* Comnule C. V. R. PonJ, of this Post, is Com in under of the Dc- 
jmrtment of Michigan, G. A. K., at the present time. 



QUINCY CENTENNIAL CORNET BAND. 

This organization was formed as a regularly-chartered 
corporation, Aug. 9, 1876, with the following-named officers 
and members : Z. W. Shepard, President ; F. E. Marsh, 
Vice-President; C. W. Bennett, Leader; C. H. Young, 
Secretary; Fred. Culver, Treasurer; W. H. Wilson, C. R. 
AVilcox, N. C. Skinner, James Donovan, E. H. Kinyon, 
Frank E. Marsh, D. W. Young, Ed. S. Throop, and 
Frank Thompson. 

At this date — March 1, 1879 — the members are as fol- 
lows : Frank E. Marsh, B-flat principal cornet ; N. C. 
Skinner, E-flat cornet; E. S. Throop, B-flat cornet; Hugh 
C. Alger, E-flat clarionet ; D. W. Y'oung, solo alto ; J. 
N. Salisbury, B-flat trombone ; Frank Thompson, B-flat 
baritone; Fred. Culver, tuba; C. R. Wilcox, E flat alio; 
C. H. Young, alto ; A. Delamater, B-flat tenor ; E. H. 
Kinyon, tenor ; Willis Campbell, tenor drum ; Samuel 
Weller, bass drum ; Love Wilbur, cymbals. 

Officers.— N. C. Skinner, President ; D. W. Young, Vice- 
President ; Frank E. Marsh, Secretary ; E. S. Throop, 
Treasurer ; C. W. Bennett, Leader ; Frank E. Marsh, As- 
sistant Leader. The officers also constitute the legal board 
of directors. 

Though liboring under the many disadvantages incident 
to all amateur bauds, the organization has been quite pros- 
perous, and met with liberal encouragement froiu the citi- 
zens. They now have a complete set of new instruments, 
are uniformed, have a handsome wagon, a band-hall of their 
own, and are free from debt. 

Rathbun Lodge, No. 167, I. 0. 0. F., hold their regular 
meeting every Monday evening at Odd-Fellows' Hall. 
C. B. Hayes, N. G. ; Herbert M. Lusk, R. S. 

Victoria Lmli/e, No. 56, of the Degree of Rclieccu. — 
Regular meeting on the first and third Tuesday evenings 
of each month. Lewis Higsins, N. G. ; Mrs. Laura M. 
Stuart, Rec. Sec. 

No further data could be obtained of these lodges, al- 
though the " N. G.'s" were respectfully requested to furnish 
the same. 

VILLAGE CHURCHES. 
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The pioneer work done in Quincy and its vicinity by the 
Revs. Peter Sabin, Roswell Parker, Levi Warriner, James 
F. Davidson, and Isaac Bennett are matters of memory 
with only a few now residents of Quincy. 

Their labors, missionary in character, extended through 
a period of eight or ten years, in which they laid the foun- 
dations of the Methodist Church in Quincy and other 
towns adjacent. 

The first religious services held under the auspices of the 
Methodists were at the residence of the late John Brough- 
ton in 1836, in which year a class was organized, consisting 
of John Broughton and wife, Bartholomew Hewitt and 
wife, James Clizbe (ciiUed Father Clizbe)and wife, and Dr. 
Berry. There was another class jast of the village two and 
a half miles, then called Hog Greek class, of which James 
Clizbe, now of this village and a member of this church, 
was tln! principal supporter. This class was organized 
about the same time, in 1836 or 1837. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1>^7 



This (^uiiuy siK-iuly, rnmi its ini^aiii/.atidii up Ic 1 S54, 
had jiiDlialjly an eccli'siastii'al relation to tlic liitchfieUl and 
Coldwatcr ciri-uits. IVdni wliicii it roeeived its ministerial 
supply. 

In tliu veil'' ''^•'>t t^iiini'y ap])e!irs in the conference 
minut^'.'i as an independent charge, and Isaac S. Finch as 
pastor. [n 1S55 and '56, L. \V. Earle ; 1857 and "58, S. 
C. Woodward; 1859 and '60, William Doust; 1861, W. 
W. Johnson; 1862, A. Coplin ; 1863, T. J. Congdon ; 
1864 and '65, N. M. Steele; 1866, David Thomas; 1867 
and '68, Isaac Bennett; 1869, James N. Dayton: 1870 
and '71, Wm. iM. I'addock ; 1872 and '73, Geo. S. Barnes; 
1874, Thomas Lyon ; 1875 and '76, Geo. L. Haight; 1877 
and '78, C. C. Olds. The society built the present wood 
church in 1854, at a cost of about $1800, with a seating 
capacity of 150 pcrson.s. It was dedicated on the 1st day 
of January, 1855, by Rev. J. K. Gillett, presiding elder 
of Coldwater district. 

In September, 1853, two ministers were appointed to 
Litchfield charge, one residing in the former place ; the 
other, B. N. Shelden, now a merchant of Quiucy, made his 
residence in the latter place and devoted his leisure time to 
the building of the church, and through his personal efforts 
the enterprise was a success. 

Under the pa-storate of Rev. J. N. Dayton, in 1869-70, 
the church was thoroughly renovated, repaired, and en- 
larged, at a cost of $4000. Although the records show 
great changes, from deaths and removals, yet it had from 
the first a healthy and .st<'ady growth, and now has a mem- 
bership of 159. 

The Sunday-school of this church was probably organized 
when Quincy became an independent charge, with a resident 
pastor, in 1853 or 1854. It is thought Dr. Hewett was the 
first superintendent. It has now a flourishing school, num- 
bering about 100, with George Tibbitts as superintendent. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The history of this society goes back to June 27, 1846, 
when the following-named members, to wit, Alfred Wil- 
marth, George Boon, Marcus Muckey, 1. W. Pratt, Simon 
Gager, Francis Ransom, Ansel Nichols, Samuel Etheridge, 
Stillman Hedge, Mrs. T. H. Wilmarth, Mary Boon, Almira 
Brown, Lucctta H. Pratt, Rebccea Gager, Chloe Ransom, 
Susan Nichols, Cynthia M. Etheridge, Aseneth Nichols, 
Sally Muckey, and Jlrs. Asa Bowen, met in the school- 
liouse of Hog Creek district, and resolved to organize a 
church, to be known as the Quincy Baptist Church. They 
further resolved, at tliis meeting, to request ministers and 
delegates of the Coldwater, Litchfield, Allen, Reading, and 
Algansee churches to meet them in council, at the before- 
mentioned school-house, Aug. 20, 1846. Rev. A. Town 
presided at the first meeting, and before its adjournment 
Samuel Etlieridge was elected deacon, and Gcurge Boon, 
Samuel Etheridge, Francis Ransom a ministerial e mimittee. 

The clerk of the council records as follows : •' Having 
.sent their lettei-s mi.s.sivc to several Baptist churches in the 
vicinity, requesting them to meet as a council in said town 
of Quincy, on the 20th day of August, 1846, the fol- 
lowing churches res|]onded by their delegates, viz. : Cold- 
waUT, Rev. O. ('. (.Jiiinsloek and [. T. Haynes; Allen, A. 



Coon ; Heading, Rev. A. Town ; .Mgan.see, 1. Kenyoii and 
S. Corey. Rev. C. Frey, who was present on invitation, 
conipo.sed one of the council. The brethren of Quincy 
presented their articles of faith and covenant, which were 
unanimously approved, and the council recognized them xs 
a regular Baptist church, and as such gave them the right 
hand of fellowship." On this occiision Rev. C. Frey preached 
from Acts xi. 22. 

The society was admitted to the Hillsdale Association 
during the same year, and it enjoyed a steady growth from 
that time until September, 1855, when it numbered 127 
members. Forty members were then dismissed to form the 
Second Algansee Baptist Church. A steady decrca.se in 
numbers then took place until June, 1866, when the .society 
numbered but 64 members, since which time a gradual in- 
crease has again been witnessed, the present membei'ship 
being 121. 

Rev. A. Town, the first pastor, preached one-fourth of 
the time, and remained one year. Rev. Levi M. Mack 
came in 1847. He preached one-half of the time, and re- 
mained two and one-half years. Ansel Nichols, of Quincy, 
and Joel Hand, of Allen, removed Mr. Mack, his family, 
and household goods, with sleighs, from Toledo to this 
place. Rev. L. Fuller succeeded Mr. Mack in 1849 ; re- 
mained one year, preaching one-half the time. He was 
succeeded by Rev. Truman IJurroughs, who remained five 
years. J. C. Covey, 1855 ; Philo Forbes, 1856 ; J. Kelly, 
1860; D. D. Walden, 1864; C. G. Purrett, 1865; S. S. 
Wheeler, 1866; R. W. Lockhart, 1867; H. C. Beall, 
1870; Isaac Ilorton, 1874; J. H. Crooker, 1875; and R. 
D. Clark, the present pastor, 1877. 

Soon after the organization of the society, their place for 
holding meetings was changed to the school-house in Quincy 
village, and finally the meetings were held in the village 
school-house and the Mudge school-house, alternately. In 
1853 tlie present church edifice was commenced, and com- 
pleted in the spring of 1854. Dr. E. G. Berry and Wm. 
P. Arnold, although not members of the church, were active 
and earnest workers during its con.struction. It has since 
been repaired at various limes, to the amount of about 
$2000, and has sittings for 300 persons. Amount of 
contributions during the year 1878, $775. Number of 
scholars in Sabbath-schools, 112. II. M. Fish, Superin- 
tendent 

The Second Baptist Church of Quincy township was 
admitted into the Hillsdale Association in 1851. It had 
an existence for five years; was then disbanded, when 
many of the members joined the First Church. 

FIRST PRESUVTERIAN CHURCH. 

Pursuant to notice, the friends of the Presbyterian order 
in Quincy met, Feb. 27, 1857, to take into consideration 
the wisdom and praetieability of organizing a Presbyterian 
Church in said town, to be called the First Presbyterian 
Church of Quincy. 

On motion of Rev. H. L. Hanley. Rev. R. S. Goodman 
was called to the chair, and Elijah Leland WiLs chosen 
secretary. 

After due deliberation and a full expression of the desire 
of those present to be organized into a eliurch, the articles 



188 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of faith in use in the different churches connected with the 
Presbytery of Coldwater were read and assented to by Wil- 
liam N. Carter, Julia Carter, and Marcia Potter, who pre- 
sented letters from other churches, and by Mrs. J. W. 
Chapin, William Hughes, Jeremiah B. Whelan, and Elijah 
Leland, who were present, but had not yet obtained letters 
from their respective churches. These persons then entered 
into covenant with each other, according to the usual forms 
of the Presbyterian Church. At the same meeting Elijah 
Leland and Jeremiah B. Whelan were chosen ruling elders, 
and William N. Carter, William B. Potter, and Elijah 
Leland, trustees. 

To this number of seven original members four more 
were soon added, of whom were Mrs. William Hughes, 
Mrs. J. B. Whelan, and Mrs. Withington. 

But so unpropitious was the condition of the society dur- 
ing the first years of its existence that, at one time. Dr. 
Hovey was authorized by Presbytery to disband the little 
company. But one of their number refused to consent to 
any such proposition, and instead of carrying on the work 
assigned him, the doctor began his labors, and successfully, 
too, for the building up and enlargement of the feeble 
church. 

Dr. Hovey and Rev. Mr. Goodman, both of Coldwater, 
often preached here subsequently. 

In 1861, Rev. Charles Adams became pastor, dividing 
his labors between this church and the church in California. 
He remained three years. He was succeeded by Rev. A. 
Sohofield, who also remained three years, giving only a 
portion of his time. During the summer of 1867 Rev. 
Mr. Porter, of Coldwater, preached here every other Sab- 
bath, and in the autumn of the same year, Rev. W. W. 
Collins — whose wife and daughter are now members of this 
church — gave his undivided labors as pastor, preaching to 
them as often as an audience-room could be obtained. 
Succeeding pastors were G. B. Barnes, E. C. Olney, and 
J. H. Ritchey. Mr. Ritchey left in the fall of 1875, aad 
the church was vacant until May, 1876, when Rev. Wil- 
liam Foulkes, the present pastor, was called. The mem- 
bership at present is 135, over 60 having been added 
during the past three years. 

A church edifice was erected in 1869, and dedicated 
December 5 of the same year. It has sittings for 350 per- 
sons, and cost, with grounds, furnishing, etc., nearly $8000. 
A large and flourishing Sabbath-school is in charge of Mr. 
J. B. Sutton, superintendent. 

Officers, 1879.— Pastor, William Foulkes; Elders, J. 
B. Sutton, F. E. Marsh, C. V. R. Pond, C. C. Sears; 
Deacons, M. D. Campbell, A. B. Halstead ; Trustees, Hor- 
ace Lown.sberry, J. B. Sutton, F. E. Marsh, C. V. R. Pond, 
A. B. Halstead, J. Weaver, S. Mowry, L. Cole, D. Lar- 
zalere ; Treas., J. B. Sutton. 

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. 

This society was formed in 1867, with 14 members, 
among whom were Johu A. Hutchinson, T. G. King, T. 
P. Smitli, Greenville Stowe, and their wives ; Henry Tay- 
lor and Lydia Brown. T. G. King was elected Elder, and 
T. P. Smith, Deacon. Their first meeting was held in the 
village school-house. Rev. D. C. Han.selman, an evan- 



gelist, was the preacher and presiding officer at the organi- 
zation. 

In 1871 the society purchased their present chapel, for 
which they paid $700, and have since expended upon it 
for repairs about $300. 

Present membership, 50. The officers at the present 
writing are John A. Hutchinson, J. M. David, Joseph 
Eldred, Elders; Thomas P. Smith and H. V. Wilkinson, 
Deacons. 

SEVENTH-DAT ADVENTISTS. 

During the summer of 1873, Revs. I. D. Vanhorn, of 
Battle Creek, and H. M. Kenyon, of Allegan, visited this 
locality, erected a large tent, and by their preachings cre- 
ated an intense religious feeling among many people. As 
a result, this society was formally organized, Oct. 24, 1874, 
with the following-named members : Theodore V. Can- 
right, M. M. Canright, William R. Bennett, Laura Cole, 
Gideon Ernst, Adelaide Wood, Ruth C. Melvin, Charles 
Reading, Amanda Weatherwax, Tressa Ingalls, Clara 
Woods, Helen Clark, Louisa Evans, Polly Williams, and 
Walter Ernst. Present membership, 25. Pupils in Sab- 
bath-school, 40. Mr. J. H. Thompson, Sabbath-school 
Superintendent; Theodore V. Canright, Elder. In 1874, 
a brick church edifice was erected ; it has sittings for 250 
people, and cost $1400. Rev. J. H. Waggoner preached 
the dedicatory sermon. 

ST. John's mission (protestant episcopal). 

About 1853 the rector of St. Mark's Church of Cold- 
water first began preaching here, which ministrations have 
been continued by bis successors to the present time. 
Although no regularly organized society exists, a congre- 
gation of some 25 communicants resides here. Services 
are held in the Baptist church the second and fourth Sun- 
days in each month, and they have adopted the title of St. 
John's Mission. 

Among the first and most active members in its incep- 
tion were Mrs. B. F. Wheat, Mrs. Abigail Flagler, Mrs. 
H. Button, Dr. Hewett and wife, and Dr. Jones and wife. 

Rev. Herbert J. Cook, of St. Mark's Church, Coldwater, 
present rector. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first board of health was appointed at an annual 
township-meeting held in 1839, and consisted of Peter M. 
Newberry, James Smith, Bartholomew Hewett, Ellis Rus- 
sell, and John Broughton. 

At a meeting of the board of health, convened at the 
house of Joseph Berry, March 7, 1840, they contracted 
with said Berry for one acre of ground for burial purposes, 
at $30. They also contracted with John Broughton to 
clear the same, and make a good and suflicient post and 
rail fence around it for the consideration of $30, said fence 
to be six rails high, and to make a permanent gate six 
feet wide, on the west side, and to be done by the 6th of 
April following. 

At the annual town-meeting of 1840, $60 was voted to 
pay for the ground, and the clearing and fencing of the 
same. Jan. 21, 1841, the work was examined, found done 
according to contract, and accepted. 

This was the old burying-ground. 





ANSEL NICHOLS. 



MRS. S. NICHOLS. 




SP? 



i 





W. 1'. ARNOLD. 



riiote. Lj- E. Kii^clmark, CoU«iiti-r. 



MRS. W. P. ARNOLD. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



189 



May 23, 1855, tlie board of lieiillli purchased Iroin Kiios 
G. Berry four acres of -iroutid. and at the same date, from 
Timothy Howe and 0. B. Purinton. a like amount, all of 
it for the consideration of $50 per aci-e. This plat is situ- 
ated upon section 21 southeast, one half-mile from the vil- 
laj^e proper, and within the corporate limits. It is described 
in the survey as follows : " Beginning upon the north and 
south nuarterline of section 21 in (^uincy township, 12j'jJj 
south of the north (|uarter post, and running thence west at 
right angles, to said line, four chains; thence south parallel 
with said line, ten chains ; thence ea.st at right angles to said 
line, eight chains ; thence north parallel with said line, ten 
chains ; thence west at right angles to said line, four chains 
to the place of beginning, and containing eight acres." 

Upon the completion of necessary imi)rovements the 
bodies were removed from the old burying-ground before 
mentioned to the new-cemetery. 

A cemetery is also located upon section 25, in the south- 
east part of the township. 

We desire to return our thanks to Hon. Wm. P. Arnold, 
Horris Willson, James Donovan, Lucas Joseph, Peter Shook, 
James M. Burdick, Kbenezer Mudge, Benjamin F. Wheat, 
B. N. Sheldon, C. V. R. Pond, A. C. Culver, C. W. Ben- 
nett, R. W. Berry, Charles R. Ilannan, J. B. Sutton, M. 
M. Brown, Thomas Lennon, D. W. Young, E. G. Lowns- 
berry, Dan W. Sawyer, Drs. F. E. Marsh, and Kdson Black- 
man, Revs. C. C. Olds and William Foulkes, Mr. John 
Hutchinson, Mr. J. H. Thompson, Mr. Thomas Clark, Mrs. 
J. G. Corbus, Mrs. Ansel Nichols, Mrs. Mary R. King, and 
very many others, for the valuable information received, and 
the kindly consideration accorded us during our stay in the 
village. 



X 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



HON. WM. p. ARNOLD. 

In 1833, while Michigan was yet a Territory, and while 
the interior ol' the great peninsula was yet an almost 
unbroken forest, inhabited by Indians and wild animals, 
with here and there, at long distances apart, the log 
shanty of some adventurous settler, and while the only 
roads into the wilderness were the Indian trails, it must 
have re(|uired a vast amount of hopefulness as well as 
" pluck" in those early forerunners of civilization to cut 
loose front society, friends, and home a.ssociations, and with 
nothing but an unlimited stock of energy " pitch their 
tents" in the midst of a region many miles removed from 
all the comforts and conveniences to which they had been 
accustomed, and, with the hope of building up a comfort- 
able home in the bright future, brave the dangers and 
hardships of a pioneer life. 

One of the most notable of these hardy old first settlers, 
now living in Branch County, is Wm. P. Arnold, of 
Quincy. He was born at Clarendon, Vt., on the 23d 
of August, 180G. His father. Rice Arnold, was a native 
of Vermont, anil in 1818 removed £o~Nlagara Co., N. Y., 
.settled on a liirm, and in 1828 .sold out and removed to 



Chautau(|M;i ('.mnty. In 1S33 he removed to Michigan, 
where, at the home of his son, he died in 183G, at the age 
of fifty-three years. His widow .survived his death three 
years, dying in 1839, at the age of fifty-two years. They 
were the parents of ten children, named Wm. P., Anselum, 
Jonathan, Rice, George, Greene, Edward. Hannah, Sally, 
and Teresa; of these Wm. P., Greene, and Hannah alone 
are now living. 

The boyhood days of our subject were spent in the l.ibors 
of farm life and in school, until he was a young man. 
After reaching his majority he worked out by the month 
for a short time, and then entered into a partnership for 
life witli Miss Theresa Hewitt, of Hartlaiid, Niagara Co. 
They were married on the 19th day of February, 1829. 
After his marriage ho purchased his father's farm, and 
from that time imtil their death he had the care of his 
parents. In 1833 he and his brother Anselum came to 
Michigan in quest of a location for a home. They came 
to Coldwater, which at tliat time consisted of five houses, 
a tavern, and a barn. They each selected and " squatted" 
on eighty acres of what was known as "University lands," 
which they afterwards purchased, situated two miles ea.st of 
the present city of Coldwater, on the prairie of that name, 
and on the survey of the United States military road, known 
as the Chicago turnpike, which was in course of construc- 
tion at that time. 

On their arrival in Michigan they had between them 
twenty-five dollars. During the summer they erected a 
log house, raised two acres of corn, and a small patch of 
potatoes. In the following October the father and mother, 
with the wives and children of the two brothers, came on 
from New York, and for a few months all lived together in 
the same house. 

In 183(j, Wm. P. bought of the government two hundred 
acres of land in the same town, which he afterwards sold. 
In 1839 he sold out his original purchase, and bought one 
hundred acres in the township of Quincy, which is now 
embraced in the corporate limits of the village of Quincy, 
where he has ever since resided. His occupation through- 
out his long and useful life has always been that of a farmer, 
and his plain and unassuming manners and upright dealings 
with all men, large-hearted generosity, and kindness of dis- 
position have won for him a most enviable and conspicuous 
place in the confidence of all. As an evidence of ail this 
it may be nieiitioned that, unsolicited b}' him and against 
his repeated protests, he has been nearly all his life until 
recently, kept in positions of official trust, such as member 
of the State Legislature and county su])erintendent of the 
poor, and has served his town as supervisor for twenty 
terms, giving in all positions entire satisfaction to his con- 
.stituents. In politics he has always been a Democrat, with 
liberal national views, and loyal to the government. 

Mrs: Arnold, the faithful and devoted wife and affection- 
ate mother, has nobly performed her full share of life's 
duties to her husband and children, and e<|ually with her 
husband enjoys the love and confidence of a wide circle of 
admiring friends. One of the most memorable of all the 
days in the lives of this venerable old couple was the occa- 
sion of their golden wedding, which occurred on the 19th 
day of February, 1879, at which over one hUndreil <;uesl.s 



190 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 



were assembled to licinor the oceasion, anil cuiigratulatc 
them on attaining tlieir tif'lieth anniversary of wedded life. 
Among the guests were many old pioneers of the county, 
and the tokens of respect and esteem in which the worthy 
old couple are held assumed the form of many valuable and 
appropriate gifts, accompanied by congratulatory remarks. 
Nine children have been born to them, whose names are 
Edward R., George, Ciiarles, Charlotte, Hiram, William, 
Nancy B., Pearl A , and Greene. Of these Charles, 
Nancy, Pearl, and Greene are all that are now living, and 
they are all married, and reside in the village of Quincy 
and its vicinity. 

The patrons of this work, as well as the numerous 
friends and relatives of this honored old pioneer couple, 
will be gratified to find on another page the portraits of 
the Hon. Wm. P. Arnold and his excellent wife. 



ANSEL NICHOLLS 



was born at Crown Point, Essex Co., N. Y., on the 14th 
of May, 1804. His father, Asa Nicholls, died when 
Ansel was four years old. He lived with his mother until 
he was fourteen, when, owing to the fact that his mother 
was in limited circumstances, and that there was a family 
of eleven children to provide for, he sought and found a 
home in the family of Judge Shepherd, of Panton, Ad- 
dison Co., Vt., with whom he remained until he was 
twenty-two years of age. During the next two years he 
engaged in farming for himself, and married Miss Su.san 
Johnson, of Panton, May 18, 1828. After his marriage 
he returned to his old home, and managed the farm of 
Judge Shepherd for the next three years. Then for the 
next two years he worked his own fanii, when he sold 
out and purchased a small farm in Oswego Co., N. Y., 
where he remained four years, when he was seized with 
the " Western fever." He made a visit to Michigan, liked 
the country, returned to New York, sold out, and with his 
family (in 1836) came to the township of Quincy, in Branch 
County, where he purchased two hundred and forty acres of 
mostly wild land. The first week after their arrival, while 
they were erecting their log house, they camped out in 
the woods. Mr. Nicholls, being in possession of a strong 
and robust constitution that had been built up among the 
Green Mountains, leveled the forests under the sturdy 
stroke of his pioneer axe. A few years of toil and priva- 
tion, assisted by his active and energetic wife, made a great 
change in their circumstances. The wild forest had given 
place to fields of waving grain, the rude log hut to a com- 
fortable residence, burns, and out-buildings, and the poor 
pioneer emigrant of 1836 had become one of the solid, 
well-to-do fiirmers of Branch County. He was an incessant 
worker, but, with all his business activity, he found time 
and opportunity to contribute to and advance the interests 
of all enterprises of a benevolent character, such as schools 
and churches. He and his wife in early life united with 
the Baptist Church, and were among the first to organize a 
church in Quincy. 

Mr. Nicholls in after-years was quite extensively en- 
gaged in introducing tine-wool varieties of sheep from 



VermoTit, and also in the purchase and sale of wild lands 
in his locality ; but his chief occupation was farming, in 
which he was successful. In 1868 he sold out his farm, 
with the intention of retiring from active business ; but he 
afterwards bought some prairie lands in Goodland, Ind., 
on which he settled and lived five years. He then sold 
out and returned to the village of Quincy, where, on the 
15th of April, 1877, he departed this life at the age of 
seventy-three yeara, leaving his widow and children in 
comfortable circumstances, and the memory of a life-long 
honorable character. The children are all living and mar- 
ried. Mary is the wife of William T. Perkins, and resides 
at Goodland, Ind. ; Semantha L. is the wife of Lyman 
Cerrow, of Ovid, Branch Co., Mich.; Helen is the wife of 
Aaron Van Orthwick, of Butler, in the same county ; Lydia 
A. is the wife of William Bunn, of Litchfield, Hillsdale 
Co., Mich. ; Myra, is the wife of Monroe Southworth, of 
Allen, Hillsdale Co. ; their adopted son, Myron G., resides 
in Goodland, Ind. 

Mrs. Susan Nicholls, the venerable old pioneer lady re- 
sides in the village of Quincy, and has a vivid remembrance 
of the early privations and struggles of the first settlers in 
Branch County. On one ocasion she was much frightened 
by a " big Indian," who had entered the house without her 
notice. Her little daughter first saw him, and they were 
all in great fright ; but he proved to be friendly, and de- 
parted with a huge slice of bread and a smile of satis- 
faction. 

The reader will find on another page the portraits of this 
worthy old couple of Branch County pioneers. 



DANIEL H. SMITH. 

The ancestors of Daniel H. Smith were English, and 
emigrated to the New World at an early date in the history 
of the English colonies. They settled in Massachusetts at 
first, but afterwards removed to the State of New York. 
Askum Smith, the father of our subject, was born and 
reared in New York, and in early life was married to Mabel 
Hayes, in Essex Co., N. Y. In 1832 he removed to Lick- 
ing Co., Ohio, where, in the following year, he died, leaving 
his wife with three children, — Daniel H., Mary A., and 
Leroy, the latter of whom has since died. The widow — 
Mrs. Mabel Smith — died in 1865, at the age of sixty-three 
years. 

Daniel H. was born on the 10th day of December, 1821, 
in Jay, N. Y. He attended school until he was twelve 
years of age, when the family removed to OhFo, and his 
father's death, which occurred soon after, put an end to his 
school days, as from that time he was obliged to earn his 
own living, which he did by working on the public works 
and at various other employments. At the age of twenty 
he entered into a life partnership with Miss Ann Akin, of 
Shelby Co., Ohio. They were married on the 22d day of 
July, 1841. After his marriage he engaged in farming in 
Shelby County for two years on rented farms, after which 
he purchased eighty acres of wild land, on which he erected 
a log house, and in a few years, by industry and good man- 
agement, he was able to purchase an addition of forty acres 
of partly-improved land adjoining his first purchase. 




p 

CO 

S 



C/5 



CO 






^ 



-c^ 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



191 



In 186(1 he erected si large frame barn and brick resi- 
dence. In 18G2, when the Rebellion broke out, he was 
among the first to respond to the call for volunteers. He 
left his farm and family and enlisted in the 50th Ohio 
Infantry. He served all through the war, participating in 
numerous battles and .skirmishes, in all of which he escaped 
without a wound. At the close of the war he was honor- 
ably disi'barged, and returned to iiis family. 

Tile fiillowing year he .sold his farm in Shelby and made 
a tour through several of the Western States in quest of 
anotiier location, finally purcha.siiig a farm of one hundred 
and forty acres in tiie town of Quiney, Branch Co., Mich., 
where he has ever since resided. It is situated just out of 
the western suburbs of the village of Quiney, and is finely 
adapted to the production of all the fruits and grains for 
which Quiney is so justly celebrated, is provided with con- 
venient and comfortable barns and out-buildings, and a 
beautiful Gothic farm-house surrounded with evergreen 
trees and shrubs, making altogether one of the finest and 
most desirable farm-homes in that part of the county. 

Mr. Smith and his esteemed wife are the parents of three 
children, — Mary A., who is married and resides in Ohio; 
James R., who is married and resides in Kansas ; and 
Martha J., also married and living in Quiney. 

Mr. Smith has been for over thirty years an honored 
member of the Ma.sonic fraternity, and whether as appren- 
tice, master, or companion of the Royal Arch has ever been 
known and esteemed by the craft as that best and truest 
type of a Mason — an honest man. He has at various times 
held positions of trust and responsibility, among which may 
be mentioned that of superintendent for many years of the 
Shelby Turnpike Company. A Republican in politics, 
honorable and liberal in all his dealings, a kind husband 
and father, he commands the confidence and esteem of all. 
By reference to another page of this work may be found 
the portrait.s of Mr. Smith and his wife, with a view of 
their beautiful farm-home. 



and all his spare time in and out of college was devoted to 
that study. He entered the Eclectic Medical College at 
Cincinnati, in 18(54, and graduated at that institute in 
1866. Soon after, be commciieed the practice of medicine 



DR. EDSON I5LACKMAN. 

Adam Blacknian, one of the ancestors of Ed.son, was one 
of the early emigrants from England to the New World. 
He was a graduate of Oxford in 1620, and settled in 
Connecticut, where he was engaged in the ministry. The 
Blackman family remained in Connecticut until 1835, when 
Eli W. Blackman, the father of our subject, emigrated to 
Michigan, and settled at Morenci, Lenawee Co. He was 
engaged at that pjace in farming up to 1852, when he sold 
out and removed to Allen, Hillsdale Co., where he remained 
until his death, in 1806, aged seventy. His widow died in 
1876, at the age of eighty. They were the parents of ibur 
children, — Sarah M., John, Edson, and Viola. Of the.se, 
Sarah M. and Edson are living. Edson Blackman was 
born Nov. 22, 1839, at Morenci. He was reared on the 
farm, but obtained a fair education in the common schools, 
and after he was twenty years of age, he wiis engaged in 
teaching schools in various places in Ohio, Indiana, and 
Michigan, and in attending the college at Hillsdale for 
several terms. He had decided ou the medical profession, 




I'hdtu. liy E. Kindiiuirk, CuMwiitrr. 
DR. EDSON BL.\CIvMAN. 

at White Pigeon, Mich. In March, 1866, he was united 
in marriage to Miss Melinda A. Morehouse, of Saratoga, 
N. Y. He remained in practice at White Pigeon for ten 
years, and had built up a lucrative business, when he sold 
out with the intention of reuloving to Saratoga ; but the 
illness of his aged mother at Allen prevented him, and he 
finally decided to settle in Quiney, where he has since re- 
sided, and established a lucrative practice, as well as won 
the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends. 

The doctor is known and appreciated among his numer- 
ous patrons as a patient, sociable adviser, and among the 
citizens generally as a gentleman. He is at this time 
supervisor of Quiney, and is regarded as a rising man in 
his profession. The doctor and his estimable wife reside 
in a cosy home on Chicago Street. They are the parents 
of four children, — Mary G., Jesse E., J. Morehouse, and 
Cora M., — all at home with the parents. 



JOSEIMI 8. SWAN. 

The ancestors of Mr. Swan were among the early set- 
tlers of New England. Nathan Swan, the fiither of Joseph, 
was a native of Connecticut, and in early life was married 
to Beulah Gates, of Washington Co., Ohio, to which place 
he had emigrated from Connecticut. He was engaged in 
fi»rming in Ohio until 1850, when he removed to Michigan 
and bought a farm in Quiney, Branch Co., where he still 
resides. His wife died in 1865, at the age of si.Kty years. 

They were the parents of six children, named Joseph S., 
Amy, Elizabeth; Levi, Zebedee, and Beulah, who arc all 
married and havi' families. .Ml I'Xcept Zebedee reside in 
the township of Quiney. 



192 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Joseph S. was born in Washington Co., Ohio, on Nov. 
7, 1824. He was reared on a farm, and grew up to 
manhood with a strong, vigorous constitution, inured to 
hard labor and industrious habits. He remained with his 
father until he reached his majority, when he struck out 
for himself He left home in 1846, and came to Quincy, 
Branch Co., possessing, upon his arrival, two dollars and 
fifty cents. He then hired out to work by the month for 
James Clizbe, with whom he remained two years, during 



chopped and cleared over two hundred acres of heavy tim- 
ber land in Quincy. By incessant toil and good manage- 
ment he in a few years became known as a well-to-do 
farmer, and as he prospered in his financial resources, he 
made many improvements on his farm. In 1861 he erected 
a fine ferra-residence, and at this time he has one of the 
finest situations in that part of the county. He has a finely- 
cultivated farm, on which he raises all the various grains 
and fruits and stock for which Southern Michigan is noted. 




JOSEPH s. SWAN. 

which time he married Miss Louise Mowry, the daughter 
of Samuel Mowry, an old settler of Quincy, April 9, 1848. 
For the next two years he worked the farm of his father- 
in-law on shares, mcanwliile having purchased eighty acres 
of wild land in the tuwnsliip of Quincy, upon which, in 
1852, he erected a log house, moved in, and commenced to 
clear ofi" and improve his own fiirm. For the next few 
years he was engaged alternately in jobbing and clearing 
lands for himself and others. He has, with his own hands, 




MRS. JOSEPH S. SWAN. 

In 1862 his wife died, and left him with the care of three 
young children, — the youngest an infant ten days old. In 
the following year he filled the vacancy in his homo by a 
marriage with Miss Elizabeth Weaver, daughter of Jacob 
and Charlotte Weaver, old settlers of Quincy. By this 
second union there are no offspring. The names of his 
children are Lydia M., May A., and Nathan S. Lydia is 
a teacher in one of the Detroit schools, and the others are 
at home with their father. 



CHARLES N. WILCOX. 
Jehiel Wilcox, the father of our subject, was a native of 
Dutchess Co., N. Y., and when a young man went to Ver- 
mont to work at his trade as a shoemaker, where he married 
Miss Chloe Nicholls. In 1827 he removed to Western New 
York, and the town of Evans, Erie Co , finally became his 
home, where he and his wife still reside on their farm. They 
are the parents of thirteen children, — seven sous and six 
daughters. Charies N. is the eldest of this large family. 
Six of the sons became engaged in the boot and shoe trade. 
Charles N. was born Oct. 13, 1824, at Sandgate, Vt. He 
obtained a fair education in the English branches, and, in 
the intervals of attending school, worked at shoemaking in 
Evans and its vicinity until he w:is twenty-one years of age, 
when he was married to Miss Maranda U. Jackson, of 
Evans, Feb. 6, 1851. After his marriage he commenced 
business for himself in a boot- and shoe-store in the village 
of Pontiac, Erie Co. After about two years he was obliged 



to relinquish his business in consequence of ill health. After 
a two years' rest he engaged in the same business in the 
same place, and, selling out, was for the next four years 
engaged in the same business at Angola. He then made 
a tour through the Western States in quest of a location 
for business, and finally decided to locate in Michigan, 
settling in the village of Quincy, Branch Co., which at that 
time was a small hamlet consisting of a hotel and a few 
small business houses. He had on his arrival a few hun- 
dred dollars with which tu commence business, and was the 
firet to open a boot- and shoe-store in Quincy. For the 
next twenty years he steadily pursued that business, and, as 
he was at the same time actively engaged in buying lots 
and fitting them up for sale by erecting buildings, etc., the 
growth and prosperity of the village may be considered as 
largely due to his enterpri.sc and activity in all niea.sures for 
the improvement of the town. He is at this time the owner 
of a large amount of real estate in the village, consisting of 





riiot.is. liv E. Kliidniilk, C.Uhviilcr.' 



ALVARADCI BROWN. 



MRS. ALVARADO BROWN. 






B. F. WHKAT. 



iMRS. B. i\ WHEAT. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



193 



lot"!, residences, stores, etc. Tie lins boon a nionibor of the 
village board almost continuously, of the school board 
for many years, and has always been active in the tem- 
perance reform. He is an attendant at the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which his wife is an honored member. 
They arc the parents of three children, named Loroy De- 
forest, Francis Delos, and Ida May. Francis died at ten 
years of a-ie. Leroy and Ida are at home with their parents. 
Leroy is iu business for himself in the sale of boots and 
shoes in Quincy. 

The residence of Mr. Wilcox and his worthy lady is on 
Chicago Street, and is a beautiful and cosy home. 



15. F. WHEAT 

is of English extraction. His ancestors emigrated to this 
country at an early date and settled iu the Massachusetts 
colony, wliere the family remained until Benjamin, the 
paternal grand father of our subject, removed with his 
family to the State of New York, and settled in I'helps, in 
Ontario County. He died in 1817, at the age of eighty- 
three. His son Benjamin, who was born in ('onway, was 
a farmer and also a mechanic. II is wife's maiden name 
was Luany Sprague. They were the parents of eight 
children, as follows: Submit, Julia Ann, Sydney, Louise, 
Benjamin F., Jane, Charlotte, and Curydon. Of these all 
are living at this time except Submit, Julia, and Charlotte. 
Benjamin was a volunteer in the war of 1812, and died in 
1844, at sixty-four years of age, his widow dying in 1859, 
at seventy-five years of age. 

Benjamin F., who was born at Phelps, Ontario Co., 
N. Y., Aug. 18, 1817, was reared a farmer, alternately 
a.s.sisting in the farm labors and attending the common 
schools until he was nineteen years of age, when, becoming 
desirous of goiug West, he removed to Lenawee Co., Mich., 
and for the first two or three years was engaged in the 
carpenter business in what was known as the Bean Creek 
country. During this time he formed the acquaintance of 
Miss Mary D. Hermance, a native of Fredonia, N. Y. 
Their aciiuaintance resulted in marriage, and they were 
united on the 5th day of May, 1839. They soon after 
settled on a farm between Canandaigua and Morcnci, where 
he remained six years, and then moved into Adrian, where 
he engaged in the lumber and saw-mill business. In 1852 
he removed to Quincy, Branch Co., where he erected a 
building for a store on the corner of Main and Chicago 
Streets, and engaged in the sale of goods. At the expira- 
tion of three years, being compelled in consequence of fail- 
ing health to relinquish that branch of business, he sold 
out the store, and since, that time has been engaged in buy- 
ing and selling produce. He was also postmaster for eight 
years, and in 1802 was in the mercantile trade again for a 
year, since when until a year ago, buying and selling grain 
and produce has been his principal occupation. 

Mr. Wheat has been generally successful in his business 
ventures and has accumulated a comfortable independence 
for old age. He is held in great esteem by all who know 
liim for his sound judgment, unflinching business integrity, 
am) honorable dealing. In politics he is a l)i>inoerat of the 
old -school ; in religious sentiment liberal in his views, toler- 
25 



ant and charitable to those with whom he differs, present- 
ing in his life and character all the traits of an American 
gentleman. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wheat are the parents of two children, — 
Luany, the eldest, being the wife of Thomas H. Smith, a 
lawyer of Los Angeles, Cal. 

In 1861, Edward S., at the age of nineteen, was one of 
the first to respond to the call for volunteers, and enlisted 
at the first call for three months' men, in the celebrated 
Loomi.1 Coldwater Bittteri/, and when it was found that 
the war was likely to continue he promptly re-enlisted and 
assisted in enlisting the men and organizing the 4th Michi- 
gan Battery, in which he became lieutenant, and with 
which he remained during the war, a portion of the time 
serving as chief of ordnance on the staff of Gen. Van 
Cleve. He participated in many of the hard-fought battles 
of the war, among which were Shiloh, Perryville, Stone 
River, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro', and many others, in all 
of which he proved himself a hero. At the time he was 
stationed at Murfreesboro' he became acquainted with 
Miss Emma Spence, the daughter of Hon. William Spence 
of that place, to whom, at the close of the war, he was 
married, and they settled on a plantation near Murfrees- 
boro' ; but soon after, being appoii»ted revenue assessor, he 
ceased farming, and for the last seven or eight years he has 
resided at Nashville, serving as United States marshal for 
that district, 

Mrs. Wheat is a life-long, honored member of the Epis- 
copal Church ; she was confirmed in the city of Adrian 
many years ago, and is to-day a zealous churchwoman, res- 
pected and esteemed by all her acquaintances. 

The reader will find by reference to another page of 
this work the portraits of Mr. Wheat and his wife, which, 
together with this brief sketch, will stand as a tribute to 
their lives and characters. 



ALAAKADO BROAVN. 

Nicholas Brown, the father of our subject, was a native 
of jMassachusetts. He was in early life married to Susan- 
nah Johnson in Herkimer Co., N. Y. His occupation was 
that of a mechanic and machinist. In 1813 he removed 
to Ontario Co., N. Y., and settled on a farm in the town of 
Farmington, where he remained until 1825, when he re- 
moved to Orleans County, and the same year died at the 
age of forty-eight years. His widow died the next year, at 
the age of forty-eight years. They were the parents of 
seven children, — four sons and three daughters, — of whom 
Alvarado was next youngest. He was born Jan. 15, 1809, 
in Newport, Herkimer Co., N. Y. He attended school, 
and worked at farm labor until after the death of his 
parents, when the family became dispersed, and each went 
out to seek a living for himself. 

After his mother's death, Alvarado attended the academy 
at Gaines for a short time, and then was engaged for about 
three years in working out by the month. During this 
time he married Miss Almina Davis, of Ridgway, July 4, 
IS33. .\fVer his marriage he bought a small farm, on 
which he was engaged fijr the next three years. About 



194 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



that time, determining to " go West," he sold out and went 
to Indiana, where, in the town of York, Elkhart Co., he 
bought five lots of government land. He remained there 
four years, and then exchanged his lands in Indiana for a 
farm in the township of Quincy, Branch Co., Mich., which 
has jjeen his home ever since, altliough he has sold and ex- 
changed farms and residences many times since. Mr. 
Brown has all his life been engaged in farming, never en- 
gaging in uncertain projects of speculation, and it is entirely 
due to his shrewdness and sagacity, as well as his prudence 
and economy, that he has been uniformly successful in his 
business, and that he is now, in the closing years of a long 
and active life, able to retire from laborious pursuit with a 
competency for old age. About four years ago he gave up 
farming and contemplated making his home in Colorado, 
where his children are located ; but after visiting that 
country he decided that he liked his old home best, since 
which time he and his esteemed wife have resided in the 
village of Quincy, where they are appreciated by a wide 
circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Brown at this 
time, although seventy years of age, has the appearance of 
a healthy old gentleman, and, with his excellent wife, seems 
to enjoy life with as keen a zest as in their more youthful 
days. They are both honored members of the Baptist 
Church, in which they have been active workers for up- 
wards of forty years. 

They are the parents of three children, named Helen M., 
Mary M., and Florence Ina. They are all married, and are 
citizens of Colorado. Helen is the wife of Charles Lazenby, 
and resides on a farm twenty miles from the city of Den- 
ver. Mary is the wife of L. H. Cole, who is largely en- 
gaged in stock-raising, and resides in the city of Denver ; 
Florence is the wife of A. J. Williams, a banker of 
Denver. 

Mr. Brown has, at various times, occupied important 
positions, which he has filled with honor to himself and 
profit to his constituents, such as magistrate, two consecu- 
tive terms in the State Legislature, and member of the 
convention that revised the constitution of the State. His 
private character is without reproach, and he has ever been 
known as a just and upright man. 

His wife was the daughter of Joseph and Dolly Davis, 
of Ridgeway, N. Y., and was born on the 27th day of De- 
cember, 1811, at Goshen, Madison Co., Vt. She has proved 
to her husband a helpmeet indeed, fully sharing and sym- 
pathizing with him in all the toils, sicknesses, and anxieties 
through which he has passed in a long and active life, and 
it may be said of her that " the heart of her husband doth 
safely trust in her." 



LUCAS JOSEPH. 



Among the hardy old pioneer settlers of Branch County 
we notice Lucas Joseph, of Quincy. He resides one mile 
south of the beautiful village of Quincy, on the same spot 
he first selected in 1837, and he is living in the same house 
erected by him in 1844, which was the first frame house 
built between Quincy and Hanchett's, in Algansee. In 
this house he was married, and has reared a large family of 
children, and although he has bought, sold, and exchanged 



many tracts of land, it is remarkable in a Western man that 
in all these years he has never changed his residence. 
Matthias Joseph, the father of Lucas, was a native of 
Strasburg, France, and in 1817 emigrated with his family 
to the United States, and .settled in Easton, Pa. Five or 
six years afterwards he removed to Tompkins Co., N. Y., 
where he remained about eight years, and then removed to 
Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., where, in 1850, he died at sixty- 
five years of age. His widow died in the city of Rochester 
in 1864. They were the parents of eight children, as fol- 
lows : Rose, Martha, Lucas, Mary, John, Elizabeth, Law- 
rence, and William. Of these all are living except Martha. 

Luc.is, the eldest son, was born Oct. 14, 1817, at Easton, 
Pa. His opportunities for acquiring even a common-school 
education were very limited up to his thirteenth year, after 
which his school days were over, and he was put to work 
out by the montli and year at farm labor, his father collect- 
ing his wages. 

When Lucas was nineteen his father gave him his time, 
and he went to work for himself. He worked out a few 
months and got together a small sum of money, and then 
started for the West. He came to Michigan, and when he 
arrived in Adrian he had but three dollars, of which he 
expended two dollars and .seventy-five cents for a pair of 
boots, and the remainder for postage. 

He then went to work for Ira S. Mudge, south of Adrian. 
He made a bargain with Mudge for eighty acres of wild 
land, in the township of Quincy. For this land he worked 
eight months, and also cleared ofi" eighteen acres of land. 
After paying for his land he went to work clearing off a 
small piece of four acres on his own land, which he put 
into corn. 

During the next few years he was engaged alternately in 
working out by the month and clearing and improving his 
land. In 1844 he erected the house in which he has ever 
.since lived. The first year he lived alone and kept " bache- 
lor's hall," when Isaac Coon moved into his house and Mr. 
Joseph boarded with the family until his marriage with 
Miss Phebe F. Coon, Oct. 20, 1847. Mr. Joseph was for 
many years engaged in the nursery and fruit-tree business, 
he being the first to establish a nursery in Branch County 
and the first to sell fruit-trees. This, for about twenty 
years, was his principal occupation, although at the same 
time he carried on farming, and at intervals bought, sold, and 
exchanged lands, and occasionally dealt in land-warrants, 
bought and sold stock and produce. Mr. Joseph, although 
of Franco-German origin, presents a fine type of the uni- 
versal Yankee, in the multiplicity and variety of occupa- 
tions he has been engaged in, and in the energy and perse- 
verance with which he carries through to success whatever 
he undertakes. His whole life has been characterized by 
determination and push. The village of Quincy owes much 
to his energy and foresight, for soon after the construction 
of the Michigan Southern Railroad, the question of whether 
a railroad station would be located at Quincy or at a point 
three miles east depended upon the ability of the people to 
build a freight-house. Mr. Joseph, with his usual zeal, 
took hold of the matter, erected the building, and thus 
secured the location. He is widely known over the county 
as one of the solid, substantial old .settlers of Quincy, and 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



195 



is hold ill t:ic;it esteem \>y lii.s leilow-tuwiisiiieii, ami tlifir 
confidciiee in him has Im'cii lre(|uently manifested by placing 
him iu positions of responsibility. He is at this time serv- 
ing his second term as drain commissioner. In politics he 
is a Democrat of the Jackson tyjie, and believes in the 
maxims of the fathei-s of the Republic. 

Mr. Joseph and his worthy wife are the parents of ten 
children, named Francis J., Irvine E., Eugenia, Duella, 



May, Maud, Ray, Orr, Iva, and Clint. All are living ex- 
cept Irvine, May, Ray, and Orr. Eugenia is the wife of 
Amos Gould, and resides in the township of Quincy. 
Duella is the wife of M. S. Segur, and resides in the village 
of Quincy. Francis is at present located in California, and 
the others arc at home with their parents. His home-farm 
consists of one hundred and forty-six acres, and he owns in 
various other places six hundred and twenty-two acres more. 



^^^ 





PhotoB. by E. Kindmark, Coldwater. 



PETER M. NEWBERRY. 



MRS. PETER M. NEWBERRY. 



PETER M. NEWBERRY. 

Jonathan Newberry, the paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was a native of Orange Co., N. Y., and after several 
removals he finally settled in Saratoga Co., where he died at 
an advanced age. He reared a family of eleven children. 
Nathaniel, the father of Peter M., was born in 1783. 
He was reared and educated a farmer, and in 1810 married 
Miss Jane Mack, in Saratoga County. He became the 
owner of the old homestead in Saratoga, and reared a family 
of eight children, named Peter M., William, Mary A., 
Nathaniel, Jr., John, Nelson, Alzina, and Phebe Jane, — 
all now living except Mary and Nathaniel. 

Peter M., the eldest, was born at Northumberland, Sara- 
toga Co., Dec. 14, 1810. His youth was passed in attend- 
ing school and assisting on the home-farm. He remained 
at home with his father until he was twenty-six years of 
age. He was married at the age of twenty-four to Miss 
Hannah Seaberry, of the same place, Nov. 10, 1834. In 
1836 he decided to go West. His intention was to settle in 
Ohio, but their passage up Lake Erie was so rough and 
boisterous that they could not land at Toledo, and pro- 
ceeded to Detroit. They decided to settle in the interior of 
Michigan, and located in Jonesville, where Mr. Newberry 
remained one year, working a farm on shares. The next 
year he purchased eighty acres of wild land, in the town- 
ship of Quincy. Branch Co., erected a lug house, and com- 
menced clearing off and improving it. He was ably a.s.sisted 



by his noble and energetic wife, who, besides attending to 
her household duties, went out and helped pile and burn 
brush on their new land. She also, at the solicitation of 
her neighbors, taught .school in her cabin for some time, 
until a school-house was erected. From this time Mr. New- 
berry was steadily engaged in farming up to 1869, when he 
sold his farm and moved into the village of Quincy, where he 
lived three years. He then repurchased his old form and 
moved back. In 1870 he made a trip to the Pacific coast, 
with the intention of settling there if he liked the country, 
but he decided not to remain. On the 27th day of Janu- 
ary, 1879, Mrs. Newberry died, after a brief illness of four 
days, of an attack of pleuro-pneumonia. 

They were the parents of three children, — Warren H., 
who was a soldier in the Rebellion and died in the Nash- 
ville hospital; Clarissa, the wife of A. M. Etheridge, of 
Quincy ; and Emma, the wife of R. B. Etheridge, residing 
at the old home with the old gentleman. 



DR. ENOS G. BERRY. 

The late Dr. Enos G. Berry has a prominent place in the 
history of the State of Michigan an well as Branch County. 

Residents of the township of Quincy, who are but thirty 
years of age, know of Enos G. Berry comparatively nothing. 
The early settloi's and pioneers knew his ability, worth, ami 
influence in the prime of life. 



TJ6 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Jan. 10, 1877, the funeral services were held at his resi- 
dence, when an appropriate, calm, and uiiimpassioned dis- 
course was delivered by the Rev. G. L Height, of the 
Methodist Episcopal Chareh, Jacob Kincaid, Esq., in 
charge. Lucas Joseph, Win. P. Arnold, Alvarado Brown, 
Nicholas Dally, Cyrus Lusk, and William Tibbitts, — early 
settlers and old acquaintances, — were pall-bearers. These 
aged men gave a solemn impression as they so carefully and 
tenderly laid him to rest where he now " sleeps his last 
sleep." The attendance was large and the occasion most 
solemn. 

Samuel H. Berry, father of a number of children, among 
whom was E. G. Berry, born Sept. 5, 1814, moved in an 
early day from the State of New Hamp.shire to Pennsyl- 
vania ; thence to the State of New York, and in 1835 to 
Branch Co., Mich. 

The deceased studied medicine in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., 
came to Quiney at the age of twenty-two, was admitted to 
practice as a physician and surgeon, and entered upon the 
duties of his profession with zeal and self-sacrificing devo- 
tion. He visited the poor and destitute without charge, 
and took no mortgages or other securities of those unable 
to pay, but gave them such time as their circumstances 
required ; and, with other duties, continued the practice of 
medicine for about thirty years. 

When E. G. Berry came to Quiney there was but one 
log cabin on the prairie. 

The prominent early settlors were intimate friends of Dr. 
Berry, knew his character, influence, and ability, and many 
of them understood that the value of their property here 
was greatly advanced by the influence of Mr. Berry, who, 
more than any other, moved the Senate, in 1 8-1:9, to pass 
the Extension Bill, by which the Michigan Southern and 
Northern Indiana Railroad, now Lake Shore and Michigan 
Southern Railroad, was built. 

Dr. Berry was the first supervisor in Quiney ; was also 
justice of the peace in the town twelve years, and assisted 
the magistrates in the surrounding towns in making forms 
for conveyances and contracts, warrants, and writs of all 
kinds, and was the first to give form to legal proceedings in 
this part of the county. The constables, township, school, 
and road district officers, depended upon him for advice and 
direction, which was always freely given, and in this man- 
ner he became familiar with the Territorial laws, and also 
with the statutes afterwards passed. He was a member of 
the House of Representatives in 1842, and of the Senate 
in 1848, and well prepared in 1849 to act with a knowl- 
edge of the rules of the House and Senate. 

He was appointed, in 1849, chairman of the Senate com- 
mittee on education. 

In 1849 he accomplished that which was the crowning 
glory of his life, viz., the passage of the Michigan Southern 
and Northern Indiana Railroad Bill, he being the leader 
of that measure in the Senate by common consent. 

In 1849, Branch County had a representation in the 
State Legislature creditable to itself, one that came conspic- 
uously to the front at the commencement of the session, — 
Enos G. Berry in the Senate ; Geo. A. Coe and 0. C. 
Comstock in the House. 

When this bill came to its passage in the Senate, Mr. 



Berry was much affected ; when the veto message came he 
was almost paralyzed ; when, on the 15th, the bill passed 
the Senate over the veto, he was unable for several days to 
leave his room ; and when the act finally became a law, he 
was completely overwhelmed. He appeared like a man in 
a trance for two days, and was confined to his room for 
some time. His temperament proved to be so nervous and 
sanguine, and he did not know himself till this event, which 
not only surprised but alarmed him. Says the Hon. John 
W. Turner, member of the House at the same time, " I 
have listened to his appeals in the Senate in behalf of his 
constituents with much interest ; not that he was eloquent, 
for he did not aspire to be ; but in a deliberative assembly 
his address was impressive. Tall and commanding, with a 
clear, .soft voice, a sparkling eye that fairly glowed ; and as 
he became nervous and more excited, his features grew full 
of expression, while he gave to his plain mono,syllables a 
strong force, with his long and trembling forefinger that 
seemed to understand what he said, and came sweeping 
down upon the desk in support of every sentence." 

But the great object was accomplished, and proved of 
inestimable value to Southern Michigan. There is no 
doubt but what its success was due to the indomitable will, 
perseverance, and impressive eloquence of Dr. Berry. Says 
Mr. Turner, " The appeal of Mr. Berry in behalf of this 
measure was one of the most intensely interesting and 
soul-stirring speeches I ever listened to in a deliberative 
assembly." 

Now comes "the winter of his discontent." In 1858 
his only daughter, Serena, fourteen years of age, affectionate, 
beautiful, and promising, was taken sick, and in July died. 
If a father can love too dearly his own child, that fault was 
his. He was at that period fifty years of age, and from 
that time until the day of his death, thirteen long years, 
he declined steadily. 

By this shock his nervous system became permanently 
disordered, and there was no recovery from the gloom and 
despondency that constantly enshrouded him. " The bright 
sun was extinguished, and the moon did wander darkly in 
the eternal space, rayless and pathless. Morn came and 
went, and came and went and brought no day." He had 
no further ambition, desired no further promotion, had no 
wish to appear in public, gradually lost his taste for social 
and public gatherings, and became more retired as he 
neared the grave. 

" His woes DO tongue can tell ; 

Within whose bosom, save despair^ 
No kindlier spirits dwell." 

He occupied many other public positions, and was many 
times sent to the Legislature. He was at one time ten- 
dered and urged to accept the position of " Manager of 
Internal Affairs of Michigan," but this being in his later 
years, and the position being one of great responsibility, he 
thought best not to accept. 

He was also appointed, by President Lincoln, as Allot- 
ment Commissioner in the army, and entered upon the dis- 
charge of his duties ; but being soon after taken severely ill 
in Washington, was compelled to abandon the enterprise 
and seek rest and quiet at home. 



HISTORY OF nUANCII COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



197 



He was an carnost workor for General Frcmuiit, wlicii 
the latter ran for President ; and in case of l''ronioiit's elec- 
tion, was to be appointed Governor of Nebraska. 

Dr. Berry w;is a man of very unconunon intellect, wliich, 
aided by bis great ener;.;y and .sleepless pcrsoveranoc, would, 
without doubt, have elevated biin to a position among the 
foremost men of the nation. He was an intimate friend 
and asssoeiate of Zacbariah Chandler, Jacob M. Howard, 
Governor Hansom, Cbas. G. Hammond, and the various 
Governors of Michigan during his active days. Among bis 
many intimate friends were, also, Gen. Cass, Governor Blair, 
Hon. Benjamin F. Wade, liniled States Senator from Ohio. 
These were among tbe many friends of Mr. Berry, by whom 
he was highly respected fur bis acknowledged superior ability 
and elevated character. 

In Dr. Berry we find a man of strong passions and of 
tbe keenest perceptions of right and wrong. He was a life- 



loii" member and supi)ortei- of the Methodist and Episcopal 
Churches, always kind and afieetionate in his family, and 
a man revered and beloved by all. II.' left a large property, 
wife, and one son, tbe pride and idol of his later years, 
whom be live<l just long enough to see a graduate from the 
Michigan University and a lawyer before tbe Supreme bar 
of his State, and just budding into bright and promising 
manhood. 

Dr. Berry died hapjiily, with a full and enduring faith in 
Jesus. An upright man has passed away. The All-AVise 
Father has seen fit to call bim home to his haven of eternal 
rest. A life of u.sefulness is closed ; the places that once 
knew him will know liim no more. 

"No more for him the rising sun 
Salutes tho waking morn." 

His was, indeed, a character worthy of emulation. 





Photos, liy E. Kiudmark, Coldwater. 



JOHN S. BELOTE. 



MRS. 1,018 M. BELOTE. 



JOHN S. BELOTE. 
The ance.stors of John S. Beloto were of French origin. 
John Belote, the paternal grandfather, was a sailor, and 
settled in Western New York, and when a young man 
married Dorcas Mack. He reared a large family of chil- 
dren, of whom Harris was the eldest. He became a 
machinist, and when a young man went to the city of 
Albany and was engaged in a machine-shop. Here be was 
married to llcbecca Spencer, and after a few years he re- 
moved to Connecticut and then back to the State of New 
York, .settling in Penfield, Monroe Co., and subsequently 
in Orleans County. In 18:^8 they migrated to Oakland 
Co., Mich., where, in 1847, at tbe age of sixty-four years, 
he died. His widow died in 18G3, at the age of seventy 
years. They were the parenta of fifteen children, named 
as follows: Kliza, John S., Caroline, Juliette, James, Asa, 
Dorcas, Ruth, Charles. George, Adelia, Klnora, Matilda, 



and two infants not named. Of this large family nine are 
still living. 

John S., the second child, was born in the city of Albany, 
N. Y., Nov. 24, 1813. His boyhood was spent in assisting 
his father, with whom be remained until five months before 
he was twenty-one, when be bought bis time, i)aying his 
father tliirty dollars. He tbeu went to work for himself 
by tbe month. In 1835 he came to Michigan, and went 
to work on the Erie and Kalamazo Railroad. He con- 
tinued at tbat labor five months, when he went to Branch 
County and selected and bought a government lot in the 
township of Quiney. He then worked at various places 
for two years, when he commenced clearing bis land and 
built a log house, and on the 29th day of August, 1841, 
he was united in marriage to Miss Lois M. Burleson, the 
daughter of Alva Burleson, an old settler of Quiney. After 
his marriage he moved to his new tiirm, where he has 



198 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



ever since resided. By industry and economy Mr. Bclote 
has acquired a handsome property, and is regarded as one 
of the solid and reliable farmers of Branch County. He 
lives in a fine, commodious house, and has comfortable and 
convenient barns and out-buildings for grain and stock. 
They are the parents of James W., Julia M., Alva J., Sarah 
R , Mary J., Martha G., and Amanda M., who are all living 
except James and Julia, who died in infancy. His son 
Alva owns and resides on a farm adjoining liis father's. 



JOHN R. MOREY. 

Wm. P. Morey, the father of John R., was a native of 
Onondaga Co., N. Y. He was born in the town of Camil- 
lus, and reared a farmer. In 1840 he came to Michigan, 
and bought and settled on a farm in Reading, Hillsdale 
Co., on which now stands the village of Reading, then 
known as Basswood Corners. In 1842 he was married to 
Miss Lucy Rising, of the same place. He bought and sold 
several farms in Branch County, and in 1865 he died at 
his residence in the town of Quincy, at the age of fifty 
years. His wife died at the age of thirty-four, in 1856. 

They were the parents of three children, named John R., 
Lucinda, and William H. 

John R. was boru in Reading on the 17th day of March, 
1844. He obtained a good education in the common 
schools and at the Albion College. He was reared a farmer, 
and when not in school assisted in the farm labors until 



eighteen years of age, when, at the call for volunteers to 
fight the battles for the Union, he enlisted in Co. M, 5th 
Michigan Cavalry, and served with honor all through the 
great struggle. He became sergeant of his company, and was 
at various times successively under the command of those 
celebrated generals, Custer, Kilpatrick, and Sheridan. He 
participated in many of the hard-fought battles and in nu- 
merous skirmishes and raids, such as the Wilderness, Get- 
tysburg, Boonsborough, Fredericksburg, Winchester, etc. 
He was taken prisoner near Richmond, under Dahlgren, and 
was an inmate of Libby pri.son for four months, until ex- 
changed. At the close of the war he returned to Reading 
and engaged in farming. 

On the 17th day of March, 1868, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Amanda Bickford, daughter of Charles Bick- 
ford, of Algansee, Branch Co., one of the old pioneer fami- 
lies in that locality. After his marriage he settled on the 
old homestead of his father, in the town of Quincy, where 
he has since resided. He has made purchases, so that his 
farm now consists of one hundred and twenty acres of fine, 
fertile land, well adapted for grain, grass, and fruit growing, 
with good, comfortable farm-buildings. Mr. Morey and 
his wife are the parents of one child, a bright little boy of 
four years of age. Mr. Morey is a man of energy and ac- 
tivity, and is highly esteemed by all his acquaintances for 
his integrity and social qualities. On another page of this 
work may be found a view of the beautiful farm-home of 
Mr. Morey, and the portraits of this worthy young couple. 



UNION. 



The township of Union, which comprises Congressional 
township number 5 south, of range 7 west, of the principal 
meridian, was organized from a part of Sherwood by an 
act of the Legislature approved March 11, 1837. It lies 
on the northern boundary of the county, being surrounded 
by the towns of Girard, Batavia, and Sherwood on the 
east, south, and west, respectively, and Burlington on the 
north, in Calliouu County. 

This township was originally very heavily timbered, and 
was consequently not settled in the interior until after the 
prairie and oak-opening lands in other localities had all 
been taken ; for although the idea long held by settlers was 
rather in favor of timbered lands and against the prairies 
and openings for agricultural purposes, it was in time com- 
pletely overthrown by actual experience. By far the 
greater proportion of the timber in Union has been cut 
away, even though much still remains. The surface is 
usually quite level, the only depressions of importance being 
the valleys of the various streams. A judicious system of 
drainage has reclaimed some lands which were at one time 
of a marshy nature, and but very little waste land is now 
found in the township. 

The St. Joseph River crosses the northwest corner of 



the town, flowing in a southwesterly direction, and uniting 
at Union City with the Coldwater River, the outlet of 
numerous lakes to the south. Both these streams, above 
their junction, were called St. Joseph at one time, the 
name having been given by the Jesuits, in honor of the 
husband of the Virgin Mary, whom they regard as the 
patron saint of " New France," as the northwestern region 
was then known. This river, also, to distinguish it from 
the " Bliami of the Lakes" (now the Maumee) and the 
" Miami of the Ohio," was called for a greater or less 
period the " Miami of the North." The name Coldwater 
is also of French origin, the stream bearing that name 
being represented upon an old map under the title UEau 
Froid" or " Cold Water." 

In the immediate vicinity of Union City are many 
mounds, by many supposed to be the work of that mys- 
terious people, the "mound-builders," whose existence is 
briefly discussed in the general history of the county. On 
the banks of the Coldwater River are occasional circular 
mounds, whose origin was not known to the later Indians, 
and which, from their similarity to others which have been 
examined in various parts of the country, are supposed to 
be burial-places. On the right (or north) bank of the St. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



199 



Joseph, something over a mile above Union City, and in 
Caliiouii County, is an ancient earthwork, semicircular in 
form, located upon a bluft' which juts upon the stream, and 
the highest point in the immediate vicinity. Its position 
for defense is admirable, and testifies to the correct calcula- 
tion of those by whom it was constructed. It covers an 
area of perhaps an acre, is about four feet in height, and 
has quite heavy timber growing upon it. It is well known 
that these fortrcs.scs and mounds are invariably- found near 
to a prominent stream or large body of water, and as the 
St. Joseph is among the principal rivers of the southern 
peninsula of Michigan, it is easy to see why it was chosen 
as a highway for the canoes or other craft of the early in- 
habitants, whoever they may have been. In other locali- 
ties are found extensive gardens, regularly laid out in beds 
and walks. Various plats of these gardens have been 
made, and priuted copies are inserted in several interesting 
works pertaining to this region. They were occasionally 
hundreds of acres in extent. 

The student of history learns that early French explorers 
and missionaries traversed the peninsula forming the south- 
ern part of Michigan many years ere its settlement was 
begun by the descendants of the Anglo-Saxon race. It is 
stated — with what show of truth cannot be learned, but in 
all sincerity as far as known — that a French trading-post 
existed on the present site of Union City very early, on 
the north side of the St. Joseph River, below its union 
with the Coldwater ; and immediately preceding the settle- 
ment of the place it is known that a small trading-post was 
established here by an American, who stayed but a short 
time. 

Hon. William H. Cross, of Centrevillo, St. Joseph Co., is 
authority for the statement that one John Clawson, from 
near Mongoiiuinoiig Prairie, in what is now La Grange Co., 
Ind., was the first white man who made his home at the 
mouth of the Coldwater River. Claw.son would therefore 
be entitled to the credit of having been 

THE FIRST SETTLER 

in what at present constitutes Union township. Judge 
Cross came into Branch County in 1823, and made his 
home in it in 1830, at Coldwater. It is stated on other 
authority that Claw.son was the proprietor of a small store 
or trading-post, where he bartered with the Indians, this 
being the establishment mentioned above. The site of 
the early French trading-post which is said to have been 
located here is fixed at a point south of the present union 
school building in Union City, and north of the St. Jo.seph 
River. 

The survey of this township was made for the govern- 
ment in 1826, by Robert Clark, under instructions from 
Edward Tiffin, then United States surveyor-general. 

Settlements were made at Union City in 183:?, of which 
more will be .said farther on, and for a few years nearly all 
who came into the township located there. Mention of 
them will be found in the sketch of the place a little later. 
The year 1836, however, witncs-sed the arrival of several 
families, who located in the dense wilderness to the south 
and east, a few of whom have continued their residence in 
the township until the present time. The majority of the 



first settlers in this township were very probably from Ni- 
agara and Chenango Counties, in the State of New York. 
From the former, in the spring of 1836, there came the 
following persons : Alpheus Saunders, Lewis Ilawley, David 
Kilbourn, Archibald Mitchell, and W. M. Mitchell, who 
took up government land in the southwest part of town 
and returned for their families, bringing them to their 
new homes in the forest the following September. The 
families were all large, yet, as the weather was mild, but two 
temporary habitations were erected for their accommoda- 
tion. These were constructed out of lumber split out of 
basswood logs, — very simple and uninviting, yet they an- 
swered all purposes for the time being, and who shall say 
that their occupants were not as happy as in more preten- 
tious edifices, with all that wealth could furnish for their 
enjoyment ? More than one of the great army of pioneers 
has expressed, in later years, the fact that he was even hap- 
pier in his rude cabin of logs or slabs, with its bark-roof 
and simple accompaniments, than in the elegant dwelling 
which his accumulated means from years of toil had enabled 
him to build and furnish. There was something in a free 
and unrestrained life in the vast and almost unpeopled wil- 
derness which possessed great charms for these builders of a 
nation, and the delight they feel in relating scenes and inci- 
dents of other days is manifest in the sparkling eye, the 
always ready tongue, and the elastic step which even the 
most aged possess on occasions calling forth from the store- 
houses of their memory the recollections of the past. 

Aljiheus Saunders, one of the above party, was born in 
Tolland Co., Conn., March 1, 1793, and had lived in both 
Monroe and Niagara Cos., N. Y., coming to Michigan 
from the latter, as stated. The place upon which he set- 
tled in Union is now owned by Daniel Groesbeck and David 
L. Buell. A line of blazed trees was followed by him to 
his farm when he returned with his family after first lo- 
cating his claim, and the same was the experience of the 
others. Mr. Saunders was one of the original members of 
the First Congregational Church at Union City, and long 
a deacon in that organization. His death occurred in Jan- 
uary, 1879. 

Henry Blazer and Lloyd H. Sims located early in the 
eastern part of the township, — probably in the beginning of 

1836, as they had shanties built and clearings begun in 
May of that year. Two of Mr. Blazer's sons, Jacob M. 
and Peter Blazer, yet reside in town. 

Charles A. Lincoln and Justus Buell, from Chenango 
Co., N. Y., came together to this town in May, 1836. 
Neither of them was married, — both being young men, — 
but Buell went back to New York the same season, mar- 
ried, and returned with his wife in the fall. Mr. Lincoln 
located at Union City, and for several years worked there 
at his trade, — that of carpenter and joiner, — aiding in 
building many of the early structures in the village, 
among them the " Union City House," the " Red School- 
House," etc. He entered considerable land southwest of 
the village, and is now residing on section 17, whither he 
removed after several years' residence in the village. 

Mr. Lincoln's brother, Caleb Lincoln, came on in June, 

1837, and stopped at Union City until fall, when he re- 
moved to land which his brother Charles had entered. He 



200 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



is now residing in Union City, which has been his home 
for many years. 

Darius Buell, brother of Justus Buell, came to Union 
late in the fall of 1836, leaving his family in New York. 
Two other brothers, Thomas B. and Chauncey Buell, fol- 
lowed him later in the season. All were single men except 
Darius. 

The family of the latter accompanied those of Caleb 
Lincoln and Curtis S. Youngs to Union City in the summer 
of 1837, and each of these families had an infant child. 
Mr. Youngs buried his on the way. Mr. Buell's son, then 
an infant, is George W. Buell, now in the hardware busi- 
ness at Union City. The journey was made from their old 
home to the new with teams, the household goods having 
been shipped by water to Detroit, from which place Caleb 
Lincoln drew them, during the summer, with his team. 
Mr. Youngs was a carpenter by trade, and he and Charles 
A. Lincoln worked together on numerous buildings in the 
village, where he is still residing. 

The house into which Caleb Lincoln moved in tlie fall 
of 1837 is yet standing, half a mile north of the present 
(farm) residence of Charles A. Lincoln, and is occupied by 
a grandson of the former. It is a frame building, a log 
house never having been erected here for the use of either 
of the brothers. 

Caleb Lincoln and the Buells brought horses with them 
to Michigan, having purchased them in the East at what 
were considered reasonable rates, but soon after arriving 
they sold them for about half what they had cost, and bought 
osen in their places. The reasons for such a step were 
numerous : grain of all kinds wa.s of too great value to feed 
to horses; oats were 12 and 13 shillings per bushel, wheat 
$2, etc. ; and salt, although comparatively cheap at Detroit, 
commanded the heavy price of $11 per barrel by the time 
it reached the embryo settlement at ITnion ! Therefore 
oxen were substituted for horses, and did the work re- 
quired for a considerable number of years. At this day, 
however, the sight of an ox-team is almost a rarity, while 
fine horses are very common. 

David Ripley was an early arrival in the southwest part 
of the township. He was noted for being a great bee- 
hunter, and also made considerable money by trapping 
wolves and presenting their scalps for the bounties, which 
in those days were quite large. He settled probably in 
1836, and is now deceased. 

Deer were exceedingly plenty in this region when first 
the white settlers began their improvements, and many a 
rifle dealt death among them, but few failing to indulge in 
this sport, — then almost a necessity. Wolves, bears, and 
smaller game abounded, the former so thickly that the pig- 
pens suffered severely from their depredations. 

Ezra Bostwick, now of the village, settled in the township 
in 1846, coming from Onondaga County, N. Y. 

Charles A. Lincoln piloted many land-hunters over this 
town during the first years of his residence, and was inti- 
mately acquainted with all the settlers. The task of finding 
any given tract of land in a dense forest, with no other 
guides to go by than lines of blazed trees, was by no means 
the pleasantest, as many will testify who became lost in 
their journeys and wandered miles from their destination 



before being able to determine where they were, and often 
being obliged to remain in the woods over-night. 

The first marriage in Union township was that of Charles 
A. Lincoln and Mary Ann Saunders, which occurred on 
the first day of November, 1838.* The ceremony was per- 
formed by Rev. Charles W. Gurney, and this was the first 
time he had ever been called upon for such a purpose. He 
had but a few steps to go, for the parties all lived in the 
same house, including the minister. A sister of Miss 
Saunders had been married in Niagara County (N. Y.) to 
Stewart Hawley, brother of Lewis Hawley, who is men- 
tioned as one of the settlers of 1836 in this town. 

From the best recollection, it is probably correct to state 
that the first white child born in Union township was a son 
of Isaiah W. Bennett, his birth occurring at the village in 
1835 or 1836. 

The first death was that of the only child of a young 
couple named Olmstead, also living in the village. Some 
time in the fall of 1837 it was playing near the " tail-race" 
of the saw-mill, fell in, and was drowned. 

OR.\NGEVILLE POST-OFFICE. 

This settlement is located on the east line of the township, 
at the junction of the Coldwater River with Hog Creek,"!- 
and the former stream furnishes valuable power, which was 
early utilized. 

The first settler in this locality was a Quaker, named 
Abraham Aldrich, who, it is stated, came from Wayne Co., 
N. Y., in the spring of 1833. He built his house in Union 
township, but most of his land lay in Girard. He erected a 
small saw-mill, and in 1836-37 built a grist-mill,| one and 
a half stories in height, in which grinding was done in 
1837. This was the first grist-mill in the township, and 
supplied a great want, for the settlers had previously to go 
to Constantino, Marshall, or other distant points. A small 
mill had been built in 1832, south of the old village of 
Branch, by Kirk, Allen, and others; but it ground so 
slowly and was such a poor apology for a mill, that people 
were fain to go farther for the sake of getting better and 
quicker work. 

The old mill at Orangeville was known as the " Cocoosh 
Mill," from the prairie adjacent. The name was given to 
the prairie by the Indians, and means pork, or hog. It was 
evidently applied from the fact that in this neighborhood 
" hogs ran wild without a pen," as the inimitable rhymster, 
Capt. Norton, relates in his " Restoration." The mill was 
at last destroyed by fire, and the present mammoth struc- 
ture, five stories high, was built by Roland Root in 1847. 
Mr. Aldrich's sons-in-law, Martin Barnhart, Benjamin 
Smith, and Hiram Shoudler, were also interested in the 
property at this place. 

The settlement took unto itself the same euphonious title 
borne by the prairie, and as such was known until the more 
expressive name of " Ilodunk" was given it, and by the 
latter it is yet most commonly known. The name Orange- 
ville was given upon the establishment here of a post-oflice. 
The office was originally in the township of Girard, north 



» Information by Mr. Lincoln. f Or " Cocoosh Riier." 

X Other iiutliority st:ites that this mill was Ijuilt a.' t-aily as 18:13- 
H, but it must have been the saw-mill. 




CHARLES A. LINCOLN. 



This gentleman, one of the pioneers of the town 
of Union, was born in Norwich, Chenango Co., 
N. Y., Jan. 8, 1816. 

His father, Caleb, was a merchant, and was born 
in Maine, July 9, 1769. He did business many 
years in Albany, whence he removed to Norwich 
about the year 1814, and died in Sherburne, Che- 
nango Co., in 1828. He married Miss Martha 
Hobart, and reared a family of ten children. 

At the age of thirteen, Charles, being thrown 
upon his own resources, passed the earlier part of 
his life upon a farm, receiving meanwhile a good 
common-school education. 

He learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, 
which occupation he followed many years. In 1836 
he came to Union City in company with Curtis 
S. Youngs, Charles Gardiner, and Justus Buell. 
The party were eight days in coming from Detroit, 
and found in Union but a few shanties. Shortly 
after his arrival Mr. Lincoln began to work for 
Gilbert & Chase, who had purchased a tract of 
land and located the village, which Mr. Lincoln 
assisted in surveying. He continued in their em- 
ploy about one year, but continued to work at his 



trade until 1841, when he moved upon the farm 
where he now resides, and which he had purchased 
in 1836. 

Mr. Lincoln has been prominently identified 
with Union City and township. He assisted in 
surveying, locating, and cutting out most of the 
roads in the township. He built the first school- 
house, and helped to erect the first church, bridge, 
and hotel. He is emphatically a self-made man. 
Coming into a new country, with only his natu- 
ral resources for his capital, he has attained 
success in all departments of life. To his first 
purchase of land he has added two hundred acres, 
and is considered to be one of the thrifty and 
successful farmers of the town. He was married 
in 1838 to Miss Mary A., daughter of Martin 
Saunders, by whom he had two children. Mrs. 
Lincoln died in 1844, and he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Cagwin, by whom he had five children, 
two of whom are living. His second wife died 
in 1860, and in 1861 he was married to Harriet 
L. Kilbourne. 

Mr. Lincoln is a member of the Congregational 
Church, and a liberal supporter of church interests. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



201 



and east of its present location, ami llie postmaster in 1837 
was one Mr. Parkinson. It wa.s finail}' roiuoveJ to " IIo- 
dunk," and a new office established at Uirard Centre. The 
present incumbent of the oflBcc at Oransevillc is Charles 
Sharts. who owns a ^ood brick store bnildiMj; at the place. 
A tavern wa.s built here early bj- 11. Kelso, who kept it 
two years. He settled on the soutli line of the township in 

1836, and is now a resident of Califortii.i township. The 
tavern has been in many hands since, and has recently been 
refitted and added to. 

FIRST TOWN-MEETING — TOWNSniP CIVIL LIST, ETC. 

"At a meeting of the electors of the township of Union, 
being township 5 south, of range 7 west, in the county of 
Branch and State of Michigan, held at the house of Ches- 
ter Ilaniniond, in said town.ship, on the 3d day of April, 

1837, in conformity with an act of the Legislature of the 
State of Michigan, approved March 11, 1837, for the pur- 
pose of organizing said township, — ■ 

"Chester Hammond was appointed Moderator; Briant 
Bartlett, Clerk ; and Lewis Hawley, Isaiah W. Bennett and 
Alpheus Saunders, Inspectors of said election ; all of whom 
were duly sworn in conformity with the law in such cases 
made and provided."* 

The following were the officers cho.sen, viz. : Supervisor, 
Isaiah W. Bennett; Town Clerk, Chester llanimond ; As- 
sessore, Alpheus Saunders, Solomon Pai-sons, James Pcndell ; 
Constables, Henry llcaser, Kufus Hill, Thomas Buell; Col- 
lector, Ilufus Iliil (removed, and Solomon Parsons chosen) ; 
Directors of the Poor, Chester Hammond, Henry W. Potter; 
Commissioners of Highways, Lewis Hawley, James Pen- 
dell, Isaiah W. Bennett ; Justices of the Peace, James Pen- 
dell,! Archibald M. Mitchell, Isaiah W. Bennett, Briant 
Bartlett ; Inspectors of Common Schools, Alpheus Saunders, 
Carpenter Chaffije, Briant Bartlett ; Overseers of Highway.s, 
Carpenter Chaffee, Gideon Smith, Chauncey Buell. 

At this meeting it was " Voted, That the Overseers of 
Highways shall be Fence- Viewers and Pound-Keepers re- 
spectively ; that $100 bo rai.scd for the improvement of 
roads; that a lawful fence be four and one-half feet high, 
and no space more than four inches wide within two feet of 
the ground ; that a bounty of $5 be paid on each wolf 
caught and killed in tiiis township ; that the next township- 
meeting be held at the liou.se of Alpheus Saunders in said 
township." 

The following jurors were chosen from Union township, 
JuDB 7, 1839: Asa Hawley, Archibald M. Mitchell, Shel- 
don Dunks, Solomon Parsons, Darius Buell, John D. Zim- 
merman, Hiram Mai-sh, John N. Stickney, Hiram Shuudler, 
Franklin Burnett, Timothy Robinson, Frederick Olds, Sin- 
dall Morrell, Carpenter Chaffee, Henry W. Potter. 

At a meeting of the township board, held Sept. 19, 1840, 
it was 

"licohctl, That Drs. T. C. Iluril, W. P. Ilmd, and D. Wilson bo 
requested U> furnish tlic township board witli tlieir opinions re.^pcL-ting 
the cause of the sickness of inhalMtiints in tiic soulli part of the vil- 
lage of Union City, particularly, whether they suppose the logs in 



'Township Kccords. IS.'i". 

f Removed from township, and his office of liighway commissioner 
filled Nov. 8, 1837, by the election of Jacob M. Blazer. 

20 



the mill-race, or anything connected with the mills in said village, 
are the cause of disease, and that the clerk of the board be directed 
to comnuinicatc this resolution to the above-named physicians." 

On the 28th of November following it was 

" lifunii-ctlf That no lo:^s bo allowed to lie in the mill-race or pond 
connected with the mills in Union City more than three days at a 
time, between the 1st day of May and the 1st day of November in 
each year, and the clerk is directed to notify the owner of the passage 
or adoption of this resolution." 

Itseeius this last resolution was finally reconsidered after 
due notice had been given as directed, for on the 10th of 
May, 1841, it was so modified as to allow logs to remain in 
the race not longer than one week. 

In the spring of 1843 a bridge was built across the 
Coldwater River, near the corners of sections 14, 15, 22, 
and 23, the first one crossing the stream at that place. 
The St. Joseph had been bridged at Union City much 
earlier. (See " Memoranda," by Justus Goodwin.) 

The following is a list of the principal officers of the 
township from 1838 to 1877, inclusive: 



Si;i'ERVISORS. 



1838- 
ISil. 
1842. 
1843- 
1845. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849- 
1852. 
18,i3- 
1835. 



1838- 
1840- 
1843- 
1845. 
1846- 
1848- 
185.3. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 



1838. 



40. Curtis S. Youngs. 

Hiram Alarsh. 

lliram Shoudlcr. 
44. Corydon 1'. Benton. 

Joseph C. Leonard. 

Hiram Shoudlcr. 

Joseph C. Leonard. 

Mahlon Barnhart. 
■51. Joseph C. Leonard. 

Lloyd U. Sims. 
51. Manna Olmsted. 

Silas II. Nve. 



185G. Mahlon B. Barnhart. 

1857. Manna Olmsted. 

1858. Ezra Bostwick. 

1859. Silas H. Nye. 

1860. Truman Olds. 

1861. Curtis S. Youngs. 
1862-C5. Le Koy Judd. 
1860. Ezra Bostwick. 
1867-71. John D. Ackerman. 
1872-73. Byron L. Mitchell. 
1874. Lawrence Kheubuttoni. 
1875-77. Mortimer Vosburgh. 



TOW.V CLERKS. 



39. Chester Hammond. 
42. Corydon I'. Benton. 
44. Joseph 0. Leonard. 

Horatio N. Blakeman. 
47. Curtis S. Youngs. 
52. Melvin L. Youngs. 

Jason L. Lee. 

John S. Youngs. 

Henry F. Ewers. 

George T. Moseley. 



1857-60. George W. Shehnire. 

1861. Jonathan G. Parkhurst. 

1862. a. W. Shelmire. 

1863. J. G. Parkhurst. 
1864-65. James T. Leonard. 
1866-69. Chauncey W. Saunders. 
1870-72. Estas McDonald. 

1573. 1). J. Easton. 

1574. Robert F. Watkins. 
1875-77. lliram H. Chase. 



ASSESSORS. 



Alpheus Saunders. 
Timothy Robinson. 
Barius Bucll. 

1839. Curtis S. Youngs. 
Gideon Smith. 
Alpheus Saunders. 

1 840. Charles G. Hannnond. 
Archibald M. Mitchell. 
William D. Robinson. 
Briant Bartlett. 
A. M. Mitchell. 
H. Richardson. 
No record. 
A. M. Mitchell. 
Hiram Richardson. 
.Solomon Parsons. 



1841. 



1842. 
1843. 



1844. 



1844. 
1845. 

1846. 

1S47. 

1848. 

1849. 

1850. 

ISol. 
1852. 



Daniel Cornell. 
Daniel Cornell. 
William Mitchell. 
E. Wilder, Jr. 
Daniel Cornell. 
Manna Olmsted. 
William Olds. 
Sindall Morrell. 
Ezra Bostwick. 
Hiram Studley. 
Daniel Cornell. 
Manna Olmsted. 
George Leo. 
No record. 
George W. Lincoln. 
M. IJarnhart. 



C0I.LKCT0n.<!. 

1838. Humphrey L. MitchoH. I 1839-11. Thomas L. A.ker. 



202 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



TREASURERS. 



1S39-43. Carpenter Chaffee. 

1844. Cassius A. MiHs. 

1845. William P. Hurd, JI.D. 
1840-47. Solomon Parsons. 
1848. Carpenter Ch.affee. 
1.849. Manna Olmsted. 
18.J0-53. M. Burnett. 

1854. M. li. ISarnhart. 
18oo. Lorenzo G, Lincoln. 



1856. Bishop Burnett. 
1857-60. Constant. A. Seymour. 
1861-64. William Drumm. 
1865-67. Henry C. Morse. 
1868-70. L. G. Lincoln. 
1871-72. AVilliam C. Smith. 
1873-74. Chaunccy W.Saunders. 
1875-77. Samuel Wilbur. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



1838. 


William Aldrich. 


1857. 


Edwin Perry. 




Briant Bartlett. 




Curtis Prentiss. 


1839. 


Hiram Shoudler. 


is:8. 


Asa Waters. 


1840. 


Hiram Marsh (removed in 




Truman Olds. 




1842). 


1859. 


Constant M. Swan. 


1841. 


Archibald M. Mitchell. 


1860. 


Thomas B. Buell. 


1842. 


John D. Zimmerman. 


1861. 


Edwin Perry. 


1843. 


No record. 


1862. 


Asa Waters. 


1844. 


John W. Norton. 


1863. 


C. M. Swan. 


1845. 


Archibald M. Mitchell. 


1864. 


Thomas B. Buell. 


1846. 


Levi Lee. 


1865. 


Edwin Perry. 


1847. 


Daniel CornelL 


1866. 


David R. Cooley. 


1848. 


William 11. Lincoln. 


1867. 


E. G. R. Wait. 


1849. 


Oliver French. 


1868. 


Thomas B. Buell. 


1850. 


Manna Olmsted. 


1869. 


Edwin Perry. 




Marlin Burnett. 


1870. 


Jerome Bowen. 


1851. 


Daniel Cornell. 


1871. 


Harrison Downs. 


1852. 


William Mitchell. 


1872. 


No record. 


1853. 


Oliver French. 


1873. 


Edwin Perry. 


1854. 


Melvin L. Youngs. 


1874. 


No record. 


1855. 


Charles M. Whiting. 


1875. 


Lewis M. Swan. 




Horace Longsbury. 


1876. 


Thomas B. BuclT. 


1856. 


William Mitchell. 


1877. 


Edwin Perry. 




Charles T. Hopkins.* 




George L. Palmer. 




COMMISSIONERS 


OF, niGIlWAVS. 


1838. 


David Kilbourn. 


1849. 


Hiram Richardson. 




Darius Buell. 


1850. 


Charles A. Lineobi. 




Franklin Burnett. 




Bishop Burnett. 


1839. 


Marlin Burnett. 




Henry A. Kelso. 




Charles G. Hammond. 


1851. 


Henry A. Kelso. 




A. M. Mitchell. 


1852. 


Peter Grove. 


18t0. 


Briant Bartlett. 




Bishop Burnett. 




Hiram Shoudler. 


1853. 


Silas H. Nye. 




U. L. Mitchell. 


1854. 


Thomas B. Buell. 


1841. 


U. L. Mitchell. 


1855. 


Curtis Prentiss. 




11. Shoudler. 


1856. 


Mjirtin Knowles. 




William R. Perry. 


1857. 


Thomas B. Buell. 


1842. 


Mahlon B. Barnhart. 


1858. 


Truman Olds. 




John W. Norton. 


1859. 


Darius Buell. 




Sindall Morrell. 


1860. 


Benjamin Nelson. 


1843. 


John W. Norton. 


1861. 


James R. Vosburg. 




Humphrey L. Mitchell. 


1862. 


Darius Buell. 




Hiram Shoudler. 


1863. 


Benjamin Nelson. 


1844. 


Caqienter Chaffee. 


1864. 


James R. Vosburg. 




G. Palmer Olmsted. 


1865. 


Silas H. Nye. 




Hiram Studley. 


1866. 


Benjamin Nelson. 


1845. 


Humphrey L. Mitchell. 


1867- 


69. No record. 




John W. Norton. 


1870. 


Charles A. Lincoln. 




Hiram Shoudler. 


1871. 


Silas H. Nye. 


1846. 


M. B. Barnhart. 


1872. 


Darius Buell. 




H. A. Kelso. 




J. R. A'an Schaick. 




George Strong. 


1873. 


Parker Haner. 


1847. 


Mahlon B. Barnhart. 


1874- 


-75. Sylvester Feller. 




Jeremiah Morrell, Jr. 


1876. 


Sylvester Feller. 




William Mitchell. 




Robert Jlerritt. 


1848. 


George Strong. 


1877. 


Sylvester Feller. 



* Failed to qualify ; M. L. Youngs rL-signed ; 
Augustus Bentley choseu to fill vacancies. 



Asa Waters and 



INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS. 



1838. 


Alpheus Saunders. 


1852 




Briant Bartlett. 


1853 




Timothy Robinson. 


1854 


1839. 


Alpheus Saunders. 


1855 




Corydon P. Benton. 






Hiram Shoudler. 


1856 


1840. 


Archibald M. Mitchell. 
Corydon P. Benton. 


1857. 




Horatio N. Blakeman. 


1858 


1841. 


William P. Hurd. 


1859 




Horatio N. Blakeninn. 


1860 




Corydon P. Benton. 


1861 


1842. 


C. P. Benton. 


1862 




W. P. Hurd. 


1863 




John N. Stickney. 


1864 


1843. 


Horatio N. Blakeman. 


1805 




L. Smith Hobart. 


1866 


1844. 


Theodore C. Hurd. 


1867 


1845. 


L. Smith Hobart. 


1808 


1846. 


W. S. Hale. 




1847. 


Horatio N. Blakeman. 


1869 


1848. 


Theodore T. Garney. 


1870 


1849. 


Justin Lawyer. 


1871 




AVilliam McMechan. 


1872 


1850. 


S. G. M. Hammond. 


1873 




Henry S. Hurd. 


1874 


1851. 


Henry S. Hurd. 





, Joseph C. Leonard. 
. Henry S. Hurd. 
. Henry C. Morse. 
. Israel W. Clark. 

John D. Wellman. 
, William P. Hurd. 
. Reuben Hatch. 

Horace A. Corbin. 
, Reuben Hatch. 
, Horace A. Corbin. 
, Edmund G. R. Wait. 
, Sereno W. Streeter. 
. E. G. R. Wait. 
. S. W. Streeter. 
, E. G. R. Wait. 
, S. W. Streeter. 
. James D. Studley. 
. S. W. Streeter. 
. J. T. Leonard. 

J. D. Studley. 
. J. T. Leonard. 
. C. W. Crocker. 
. James T. Leonard. 
. C. W. Crocker. 
. J. T. Leonard. 
-77. Charles W. Crocker. 



TOWNSHIP SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. 

1875-76. J. Delos Studley. | 1877. Milton W. Lee. 

DRAIN COMMISSIONERS. 

1874. Chauncey Buell. I 1876-77. John Wright. 

1875. Joseph Van Schaick. I 

The officers chosen for this township in 1878 were the 
following, viz. : 

Supervisor, James D. Stuillcy ; Town Clerk, H. H. 
Chase ; Justices of the Peace, Joseph Spencer, John Gib- 
son ; Treasurer, Samuel A. Wilbur ; School Inspector, Ira 
Dufer ; School Superintendent, George E. Smith ; Com- 
missioner of Highways, Sylvester Feller (resigned, and 
Heber S. Crissey appointed to fill vacancy) ; Drain Com- 
misioner, Ira Buell; Constables, D. E. Young, David B. 
Buell, Hiram Sackctt. 

SCHOOLS. 

At a meeting of the board of school inspectors, held at 
the liouse of Carpenter Chaffee, April 2G, 1837, the town- 
ship of Union was divided into four school districts, as fol- 
lows : District No. 1 included sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 
14, 15, and the south half of 3 ; No. 2, sections 4, .5, 6,7, 8, 9, 
16, 17, 18, and the north half of 3; No. 3, sections 19,20, 
21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 ; No. 4, sections 22, 23, 24, 
25, 26, 27, 34, 35, and 36. Jan. 17, 1838, District No. 
5 was formed from parts of Nos. 1 and 4, including sec- 
tions 13, 14, and 15, from the former, and 22, 23, and 24, 
from the latter. District No. 6 was formed April 21, 1838, 
from parts of No.s. 2 and 3 ; and No. 7 was formed June 
27, 1838, from parts of Nos. 1 and 4. Other changes were 
made the same year, and numerous others have been made 
since. The apportionment of school moneys to districts in 
Union township, in 1838, was S51.3S; §35.20 in 1840; 
$27.10 in 1841; $45.50 in 1842; and $46.02 in 1844. 
The number of scholars in the first four years, respectively, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



203 



was 71, 88, 138, 147 ; in \M?>, four districts reporting, 
12t; ; and three districts in 1844 roportini; an attendance of 
118. District No. 2, which included Union City, was as 
a matter of course credited with the most. 

The first school in the township, after the or;;anizatiuti of 
districts, was taught at Union City. The teacher was Miss 
Ellen E. Hammond,* daughter of Deacon Chester Ham- 
mond, and now the wife of Dr. Henry S. Hard, of fiales- 
burg, 111. This was a sumnior school, and was taught in 
the summer of ISIW. Miss Ilanmiond's brother, Henry 
Tj. ITaniniond, taught here in the winter of 18158-39. In 
the winter of 18;W— 10 a school was taught immediately 
acro.ss the line in Calhoun County, in the office of Justus 
Goodwin, by Mi.ss Sarah Sargent. It was attended by 
those living near in Burlington, and probably by several 
from Union. 

In 1837 the first school-house at Union City was built. 
The frame was raised by Briant Bartlett, and the building 
finished by Charles A. Lincoln. Mr. Bartlett lived here 
but a few years, finally removing to Detroit. The building 
was painted red, and long went by the name of the " red 
school-house." It is now used by Curtis S. Youngs for a 
dwelling, and occupies the same lot upon which it was 
built. Its position has been changed, an addition built, 
and white paint substituted for the red. Its location is 
near the northeast corner of Ellen and Ann Streets, west 
of the Farmers' National Bank. The school-house was 
also used by the Methodist and Congregational societies on 
alternate Sundays before they built houses for worship. 
Schools and meetings had been held, too, in the building 
known as the " sub-treasury," at the northeast corner of 
Broadway and High Streets. 

The present elegant and substantial union school build- 
ing was erected in 1877, at a total cost of over Sl'J.UOO, 
although the original contract price wiis S14,700. IleatiTig 
apparatus has been put in by a Toledo, 0., firm, costing 
between 82000 and S3000. The building is three stories 
liigh, including basement. The latter is of stone and the 
balance of red brick, with cut-stone trimtuings. The ar- 
rangement of the interior of the building is complete and 
convenient. The attendance is over 400, of which number 
less than 100 arc '' foreign" pupils, or those residing outside 
of the di.strict. The departments are si.\ in number, with 
teachers, as follows : High School, M. V. Ilork, Principal ; 
Webster Cook, Assistant ; Grammar di'partment, Mi.ss 
Mary I'roudley ; Intermediate, Mary Whilcomb ; Second 
Intermediate, Miss Adelle Sager; Primary, Miss Imogene 
Cross; Second Primary, Miss A. M. Coleman. The pres- 
ent school board consists of Joseph C. Leonard, Moderator ; 
Silas H. Nye, Director ; Dr. H. F. Ewers, Assessor ; 
Chauncey Saunders, M. F. Buell, M. D. Slocum. Dr. 
Ewers has been a member of the board nearly twenty 
years. Mr. Leonard served about fifteen years without in- 
termission, and is now a second time a member, having 
served two years. 

In the summer of 1838 a school was taught in the cham- 
ber of Caleb Lincoln's frame house, southwest of the vil- 

* The Jirat school was taught hero by Miss Sarah Sargent in the 
winter of 183G-37, and she taught probably in the summer of 1837. 



lage, by Margaret Baxter. This house was the first frame 
dwelling in this part of the town. The next year a frame 
school-house was built in what is now District No. 6, 
the women helping to raise it, and preparing a supper in it 
after it was up, to which all ])n'sent did full justice. At 
the school held in Mr. Jjincolns chamber 11 children at- 
tended, being sent from three families. Among the early 
teachers in the .school-house were Miss Charlotte Reynolds, 
Miss Abigail Mitchell, and Mis.s Eliza Sims, Miss Reynolds 
probably being first. 

UNION GRANGE, NO. 97, PATRONS OP HUSBANDRY, 
was organized Oct. 27, 1873, with 22 members, by a dis- 
pensation from the National Grange, and soon afterward re- 
ceived its charter. Its first principal officers were : Master, 
Thomas B. Buell; Overseer, Ithamar B. Craw; Lecturer, 
Charles A. Lincoln; Chaplain, Elijah Kilbourn ; Sec, Wil- 
liam E. Day. It now occupies the school-hou.se in District 
No. 6, has a membership of about 40, and is officered iis 
follows: Master, Charles A. Lincoln; Overseer, Ira Buell; 
Lecturer, Thomas B. Buell; Chaplain, Ithamar B. Craw; 
Steward, Alfred Armstrong; Assistant Steward, D. R. Lin- 
coln ; Sec., James D. Studley ; Treas , D. V. H. Groesbeck ; 
Gatekeeper, S. E. Lee ; Ceres, Mrs. A. Arm.strong ; Pomona, 
Mrs. Ithamar B. Craw ; Flora, Mrs. Elizabeth Clay ; Lady 
Assistant Steward, Mrs. Charles A. Lincoln. 

KELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, UNION CITV. 

The Methodists and Congregationalists organized them- 
selves into bodies for public worship at nearly the same time, 
the former, however, preceding the latter by a few weeks. 
The first Methodist class in the township was organized at 
Union City in the winter of 183(5-37, and its leader was a 
man named Hull, a cabinet-maker by trade, who had arrived 
in the place the .same winter. Among the members of this 
class were Isaiah W. Bennett and family and Mrs. Carpen- 
ter Chaffee. The presiding elder of the district when the 
Union City class was organized was Rev. Mr. Uttenberg, 
and some of the early minister were Revs. Sabin, Tibbetts, 
and Crippen. The present frame church was built subse- 
(jucnt to 1840. The membership of the church in Febru- 
ary, 1879, w;is 90, and its pa.stor. Rev. Amos M. Gould. 
A flourishing Sunday-school is sustained, with from 80 to 
100 members and 12 classes. It has a good library and is 
superintended by J. I. Copelin. 

It is said that when the first (|uarterly meeting was held 
at Union City there were scarcely enough Methodists in 
the place to entertain their guests, and the hospitality of 
other families was made manifest when they aided them in 
their predicament by offering food and shelter to such as 
were unprovided for. 

A Methodi.st society in the south part of the township 
is of much later origin, and has a fair membership. A neat 
brick church has been erected and services are held by the 
pastor at Union City. 

FIRST CONQREGATIONAL CHURCH, UNION CITY. 

In 1844 the manual of this church contained the follow- 
ing historical items : 



204 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



" Sixteen persons, having letters of dismission and reeom- 
mcndation from other churches, were constituted the ' First 
Congregational Church of Union,' March 7, 1837. A 
standing committee was chosen, and the church became 
connected with the Marshall Presbytery, on the ' Plan of 
Union,' March IG, 1839, and this relation was sustained 
until Dec. 5, 1840. Jan. 13, 1841, the church united 
with the ' Marshall Conference of Congregational Ministers 
and Churches.' 

" At the organization of the church, Chester Hammond 
was elected deacon, and in the July following, Alpheus 
Saunders was also cliosen to the same office. 

" In November, 1837, llev. Charles W. Gurney was em- 
ployed by the church to labor in the ministry, which he 
continued to do until June, 1839. During the first year 
of this period he preached but half the time. In the fol- 
lowing October, Rev. Elijali Buck was employed, and con- 
tinued his labors until September, 1840. Tiie ministry of 
Rev. L. SmitJi Hobart commenced the first Sabbath in No- 
vember, 1840. In the ensuing January he was ordained 
by an ecclesiastical council, and installed as pastor of the 
church. 

" The house of worship occupied by the church was 
completed and dedicated Dec. 24, 1840. It was furnished 
with a bell in May, 1843." 

This church stood on High Street; it was enlarged in 
1 850, and sold in 18G9, after the erection of the new church. 
The latter, a fine brick structure on Broadway, was begun 
in 1858, and completed and dedicated Feb. 5, 1862. Its 
cost was about §14,00tl. 

The original members of this society were Chester Ham- 
mond, Fanny Hammond, Elleu E. Hammond, Alpheus 
Saunders, Lucinda Saunders, Lewis Ilawley, Charlotte 
Hawley, David Kilbourn, Clannda Kilbourn, Justus B. 
Buell, Emeline Buell, Tiiomas B. Buell, Charles A. Lincoln, 
Charles H. Coates, Esther Maxfiold, Sarah Jane Hurd, 
Mary Ann Saunders, Charlotte Bernard. July 22, 1837, 
the list was increased by the reception of Curtis S. Youngs, 
Lucy Youngs, Caleb Lincoln, Chloe Lincoln, Briant Bart- 
lett, and Comfort D. Bartlett. Many more of the early 
settlers became members in the years from 1838 to 1842, 
and in 1844 the membership was 139. Other prominent 
members were J. N. Stickncy, Alonzo Collins, and Deacon 
Israel W. Clark. 

The successive pastors since Mr. Hobart's time liave 
been Revs. C. H. Morse, from November, 1848, to March, 
1853; A. C. Kedzie remained till September, 1854; Mr. 
Edwards, supply in winter of 1854-55 ; Reuben Hatch, 
pastor from late in 1855 to April, 1859; S. W. Streeter 
came late in 1859, was installed in February, 1803, and 
stayed until November, 1869 ; E. G. Chaddock began labors 
Jan. 25, 1870, and was installed May 5, 1871, during 
which latter year the church was reseated and the galleries 
rai.sed and extended. Mr. Chaddock was succeeded by 
Rev. W. F. Day, and he by the present pastor. Rev. H. H. 
Van Auken, who came Jan. 1, 1878. 

The memberehip of this church on the 11th of February, 
1879, was 240. A Sabbath-school is sustained, with 16 
officers and teachers, and 200 members. Horace Corbin 
is superintendent. The school possesses a library of about 



300 volumes. During the past five years the church has 
raised for various purposes an annual sum of $2800. Its 
early records have been destroyed by fire. 

GR.\CE CHURCH (EPISCOPAL), UNION CITV. 

The organization of this society was eiFected Dec. 23, 
1864, in a room in the house of H. F. Ewers, eighteen per- 
sons (ten males and eight females) becoming members. Late 
in the same year, or early in 1865, the present frame church 
was begun, and was finished and dedicated in the latter year. 
Its cost was about $4000. The first rector was Rev. George 
Verner, from Detroit, who came in the spring of 1865 and 
stayed about two years. Lay services were then held until 
some time in the year 1868, when Rev. S. W. Frisbie as- 
sumed charge as second rector. He remained about a year 
and a half, or until early in 1870, and was succeeded, in 
1871, by Rev. Charles R. Ilughson, who remained also 
about a year and a lialf Since then lay services have 
mostly been hold, with occasional clerical service, and the 
parish is without a rector at present. 

The church has a capacity for seating about 400 persons. 
The present number of communicants is about 30, — 15 fam- 
ilies belonging to the parish. Sunday-school has been sus- 
tained most of the time since the organization, and now has 
four teachers and a library of some 250 volumes. Its su- 
perintendent is Dr. H. F. Ewers. 

POPULATION STATISTICAL. 

The following figures are from the State census of 1874, 

and show the growth of the township for its first forty 

years of existence : 

Population (1151 males, 1099 females) 2,250 

No. of acres of ta,\able lanil 22,783 

" " land owned by iuilividuals and 

companies 22,920 

'* " improved land 1 l,GG9 

" " land exempt from taxation ];i7 

Value of same, including improvements .^tl.5,110 

No. of acres in school-house sites G 

" ** churcll and parsonage sites 2 

" ** burying-grounils 3 

" " R. R. right of way and depot 

grounds GO 

" farms in township 270 

" acres in farms 20,5;5S 

Average number of acres in farms 7-1.41 

No. of acres of wheat sown in 1S74 2,8S7 

" " " harvested in IS-:! 2,5:!2 

" '* corn ** •' I.GIO 

" bushels of wheat " •' 35,240 

" " corn raised in 1S73 00.740 

" " all other grain *' 19,575 

" " potatoes " 14.157 

** tons of hay cut " 1.9tt7 

" lbs. of wool sheared " 18,:'.12 

" " pork marketed •' 158,080 

" " butter made " 79,950 

'* " fruit dried for market in 1873 24,400 

" bbls. of cider made *' 440 

" lbs. of maple-sugar made in 1874 30.151 

" acres in orchards ** 517 

" *' bushes, vines, melons, and garden 

vegetables 71 

** bushels of apples raised in 1872 19.155 

" " •' •' in 1873 18,845 

Value of all fruit and garden vegetables in 1872 $8,101 

in 1S73 $7,931 

No. of horses, one year old and over, owned in 1874 714 

'* mules in 1874 4 

*' work oxen in 1874 20 

" milch cows " 700 

" neat cattle, one year old and over, other 

than oxen and cows 841 

" swine over six months old 094 

**' sheep " *' 4,581 

" " sheared in 1873 4,535 

" flouring-mills in township 3 



HISTORY OF BllANCn COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



205 



No. of persons employed iii yuiiic 11 

Amount of copitiil investcl. $28,200 

No. of runs of stone 11 

" bbltJ. of Hour nuitie in ISTIi f),f)I.") 

VaUiu of proilucts of llouring-mills in 1873 $46,305 

No. of ^aw-mills in openttion in 1873 5 

" persons employed in siimc 15 

Amount of eupiiiil iuveste<l $2.'i,0U0 

No. of f.'et of lumber siiwed 920.0110 

Value of products $211,750 

No. of pliining-mills, 1.S73 1 

*' jicrsuns employed 5 

Ciipital invested $5,500 

Value of produels $3,000 

No. of agrieultural implement works and found- 
ries* 1 

No. of persons employed 10 

Capital invested $18,000 

Value of i.roduels $20,0011 

No. of earriagc-factories 1 

" persons employe<i 13 

Capital invested $9,000 

Value of proilucts $11,700 

No. of furniture and chair-factories 1 

** persons employed -1 

Capital invested $l,O0O 

Value of products $5,000 

No. of clothes-pin- and slave-factories 1 

" ]>ersons employed 10 

Capital invested $8,000 

Value of products , .' $10,500 

Total number of manufacturing establishments, 

1S73 13 

Total number of persons employed in same 08 

'* amount of capital invest-d $05,700 

" value of products $126,855 

VILLAGE OF UNION CITY. 

John Claw.son has been nientionod as the fiist white 
man who located at the mouth of the Coldwater lliver, 
now within the limits of Union City. The place was very 
early noticed for its olo;;il)ility as a villairc site. As early, 
perhaps, as 1S31, Isaiah W. Bennett, a native of the State 
of New York, a man possessed of considerable ability, some 
means, and a rovini; disposition, passed on a prospecting 
tour along the St. Joseph lliver, and was greatly struck 
with the advantages for a village site which this locality 
pos.sessed. Here was the junction of the two rivers, both 
of which would furnish extensive power ; here till the In- 
dian trails centred ; and here, in all likelihood, would be 
the point at which a canal from the East would lock into 
the river. He and Jeremiah JIarvin purchased a consid- 
erable tract of government land in the vicinity.f Bennett 
was the founder of Jack.sonburg, now the flourishing and 
beautiful city of Jackson, in the county of the .same name, 
and iiad become a man of prominence in that place before 
coming here. He had kept public-house also, both at Jack- 
son and Ann Arbor, and was among the earliest settlers in 
the interior of the State. He had the unfortunate habit of 
occasionally taking rather a larger quantity of liquor than he 
could carry with ease, and at such times was very loquacious. 
His most common remark was, " Boys, I came here on a 
squaw trail !" Nothwithstanding his faults, however, he 
was well liked, and was several times elected supervisor of 
Union town.ship. He was commonly called " Jack" Ben- 
nett, an iibbreviation of " Chcmoktiniin Chief Jackson," 
which title had been given liini by the Indians, on some oc- 
casion when he had delivered to theni an address, in which 
the name of Jackson, then President, was often spoken. 
Mr. Bennett kept the old Union City House a short time 

* This institution is now much more extensive. See description, 
t It is said by some that the whole tract was entereil in Marvin's 
name, to save it from llennett's creditors elsewhere. 



in 18:i7. His first location was on the flat where the Nye 
Manufacturing Company's works now are. There he built 
a log house and lived in it for a time, subsequently moving 
north of the river, upon property now owned by Thomas 
B. Buell, and later, to the soutiieast corner of Broadway 
and High Streets. He lived also in numerous other parts 
of the village. He finally removed to AVestern Wisconsin, 
where he died. His old log house was used in 1838 as a 
blacksmith-shop by John D. /immermaii. Bennett did 
not settle here till 1834. 

The first pernMiient settler upon the .site of Union City 
was Justus Goodwin, a native of Leno.\, Mass., and after- 
wards a resident of Oneida (!o., N. Y., where he was grad- 
uated, in 1821, from Hamilton College, afterward reading 
law for a time, and finally entering into practice. In 1831 
he emigrated to Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., Mich., where 
he remained two years. In 1833 he purchased of Jeremiiih 
Marvin 568 acres of land, located on sections 4 and 5 in 
what are now Union township, Branch Co., and Burlington 
township, Calhoun Co., paying for the same the sum of 
$2000. He immediately moved hero and began improve- 
ments, his purchase including the site of Union City. He 
built a house — or small shanty — immediately on the county 
line north of the village, and lived in it until a more pre- 
tentious frame structure was raised on the ground where 
now stands the residence of Isaac N. Tower. Part of this 
house is yet in use as a dwelling, having been moved to a 
location near the entrance to lliverside Cemetery. He dug 
a narrow raceway from the Coldwater lliver to the present 
site of the plow-works and foundry, and there, in the spring 
of 1834, began building a saw-mill, finishing it that year 
or the next. 

Mr. Etheridge, an early settler at Coldwater, now de- 
ceased, used to tell of making a trip on horseback from the 
latter place down the river to see the wonderful village he 
had heard of, or which, in its prospective condition, had 
been made to appear to strangers as a very metropolis. 
Arriving below the mouth of the Coldwater, he saw a man 
at work upon a building, and approaching him, inquired" 
the W!iy to the village. He was surprised at being told he 
was then in its midst! The man was Justus Goodwin, at 
work upon his saw-mill.* 

The following memoranda were furnished by Jlr. (Juod- 
win to Chester Hammond, about 1841!, the latter prrjiaiiiig 
a histoiy of the place up to that time, which ho read before 
the lyceum which then existed. Mr. Hammond's article 
cannot now be found. Mr. Goodwin wrote: 

*'1S31. — Union City, embracing the west half of section 4, and 
north half of northeast (piarter of section 5, in township 5 south, 
range 7 west, and also the west half of the eiust Iialf of section 33, in 
townshij) 4 south, range 7 west. 

" The former location embraces the present site of most of Union 
City and the farm of Chester Hammond. The latter description is 
now part of llie farm of J. Goodwin. The same year the entire farm 
of E. Wilder was located by Gentlemen Swain and Marsh. The same 
year also the east half of southeast quarter of section 5, the west half 
of southeast quarter and east half of southwest quarter of section G, 
township 5 south, range 7 west, were located by 0. Brown. Tho 



* This story is given as related to us. It seems a little out of tho 
line of e.xaetness, for the saw-mill was begun in 1834, and the village 
was nut laid out till 1835. See further description. 



206 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



former of these descriptioas is the present W. V. Hurd lot. These 
locations were amoDg the early locations made at the White Pigeon 
office, the patents being from 600 to about "00 of the whole Western 
land-office. In the same year McCamly's Prairie was located, em- 
bracing seven lots. 

"In 1832, about July, Eleazer McCamly bought the McCamly 
Prairie of Mr. Stoddard, the original purchaser, and commenced 
plowing and improving; built a log cabin, — the one now occupied by 
F. McCamly, — and in the following fall moved on to it, followed by 
Mr. R. Tuck, who built another cabin at the present Phelps place. 

"In March, 1833, J. Goodwin bought all the Marvin lots, and in 
May of that year came to Union City to commence operations. With 
the e.\ception of McCamly and Tuck, the country from Homer to the 
farm now occupied by Mr. Kellogg, and a few families on Dry Prairie, 
was an unbroken wilderness, chiefly government land, and no road 
made, nor even laid out. Mr. Ooodwin in July cnme on to the pres- 
ent C. Hammond farm, with a small farming e.^talilishmcnt, under 
charge of Nahum Sargent, who was hired by the year, assisted by 
Ilorton Warren and wife, who kept shanty and did the cooking for 
the first three months. A shanty, the first one in Union City, was 
made about sixty rods west of C. Hammond's present residence, by 
nailing boards to three trees and one post. A few acres of land were 
]ilowedand got into wheat, and in the fall the shanty was torn down 
and removed to near where C. Hammond resides. In the mean time a 
small board building was erected in the northeast corner of what is 
now the Hammond front yard, into which Goodwin put up a small lot, 
say from $1000 to $1600 worth of staple goods. 

"About this time the present French lot was located by L. Fish, 
and soon after the Parsons place was located by one Hamilton, and 
the lot west of it by Wm. M. Lamb. The lot where Davidson now 
resides was located this year by E. Olmstead, who commenced a small 
improvement on it in 183.3, — in the fall, — and built a cabin on it in 
1834. After the commencement of 1834 locations began in Tekonsha, 
Girard, Sherwood, Ac, and also in Burlington, which would require 
too long a time to mention, — I shall therefore only notice Union City. 

"Through the winter, spring, and summer of 1833-34 J. Goodwin 
went on with his improvement of the Hammond farm, .and in that 
winter the State road was first laid from Jackson to White Pigeon, 
near the site of the old AVashteuaw trail. 

" Mr. and Mrs. Warren, above mentioned, wore the first white family 
at Union ; they only resided there two or three months in Goodwin's 
employ, and the next white family was that of Burr Goodwin, who 
was hired by J. Goodwin in June, 1834, to cook for the men. He 
resided in Goodwin's shanty, some two or three months and moved 
away to Hillsdale County. 

Early in the fall of 1834, J. Goodwin, having agreed to build and 
sell a saw-mill at Union to I. W. Bennett, commenced improving the 
water-power by making a rtice and building a saw-mill (the old mill 
which is now the mechanics' shop near the furnace). In doin"' this 
work, — or rather all the first part of it, — though from ten to twenty 
men were at work, there was no woman at Union. Durin«y the same 
time Goodwin w.as carrying on the Hammond farm, fifty acres of 
which were then cultivated, and also building a lai-ge frame house, 
near the present Hammond House, which was put up and inclosed 
during the summer of 1834, and occupied while building the saw-mill 
and race. 

" In September of that year David Dexter .and family came to 
Goodwin's; Mrs. Dexter cooked for about a month. Dexter then 
agreed for an acre of land near I. W. Bennett's present place, and in 
November and December of that year built a small frame house 
there and moved into it, resided there a few months and left 
the place and went to Burlington, where the Adams' were just be- 
ginning. 

"About the first of December of this year a post-office was estab- 
lished, by the name of Goodwinsville, and J. Goodwin appointed 
P. M., who held that office until 1846. 

" On the 2Sth of December, I. W. Bennett arrived at Union with 
his family, and immediately the old log house just west of the furnace 
(now torn away) was erected in three d.ays, in the dead of winter, and 
moved into the third day. 

" During all this time there was no bridge across the river, and 
nothing but a footway, made upon wooden horses. In January, 1835, 
this foot-bridge was carried away by the rise of the river and anchor 
ice. The river rose to a great height and froze over. All hands 
volunteered to build a bridge and at once went at it, framed and raised 



a bridge on the ice in the very coldest of the winter, ancl covered it 
with logs, and finished the whole in four days. This bridge stood 
until 1S42. 

"In the fall of 1835, Mr. Jeffries came with his wife to the place, 
and built a log cabin just in front of D. Buell's house, and occupied 
it a few months and then ran away. In November, 1834, the family 
of J. Goodwin arrived, and occupied his house until he sold to C. G. 
Hammond, which was on the 30th day of January, 1836. 

'• About this time the mass of the country was absorbed by locations 
and settlements, which would take a long time to notice, and which 
are probably known to others as well as by me. 

"J. GOODWI.V." 

The localities mentioned by Mr. Goodwin in this article 
are now occupied by different persons, but they were mostly 
within the present limits of Union City, and this fact is 
sufficient for all purposes. 

On the 8th of November, 1833, Mr. Goodwin sold to E. 
W. Morgan the west half of section 4, township 5 south, 
range 7 west, — 322 acres,* — and the latter person laid out 
the village of Goodwinsville in 1835, as the following tes- 
tifies : 



"TKuniTORv OF Michigan,) 

WaSHTKNAW CoUiVTV, J 



" I hereby certify that the 30th day of June, 1835. E. W. Morgan, 
of the village of Ann .\rbor, in said county, personally acknowledged 
before mc that he, as the proprietor of the village of Goodwinsville, 
executed this plat for the uses and purposes therein expressed. 

"Given under my hand. " W. R. Thompson, 

'' Justice of the Peace in said Cuuntt/" 

This plat was recorded in the Branch County records Aug. 
27, 1835, by Setli Dunham, register. In shape it wa? mucii 
different from that now laid on the same ground. It was 
located on both sides of the St. Joseph River, extending 
north to the county line, and south to include a small por- 
tion of the southwest quarter of section 4. 

In the early part of 1 836, James Crane, of Elizabethtown, 
N. J., purchased water-privileges and various tracts of land 
in this vicinity from E. W. Jloigan, William R. Thompson, 
Henry Potter, and Hiram Thompson, and in January, 
1836 (same season), Charles G. Hammond purchased a 
large tract here, including the site of the village, as agent 
for a company which had been formed in New York City 
for the purpose of improving the water-power at this place 
and founding a village. This firm, Messrs. Crane & Wood- 
ruff, finally sold to another company from the .same place, 
composed of Messrs. Richard L. Clark, Lyman W. Gilbert, 
Isaac M. Diamond, and Israel W. Clark. The latter two 
soon became proprietors, and finally Mr. Clark obtained 
Diamond's share. In time he added to the original prop- 
erty for the purpose of securing more water-power. He 
also sold a large portion to Crane & Woodruff", and they in 
turn disposed of it to Col. Thomas Moseley, who became a 
prominent man in the place. 

The four proprietors — the CI arks. Diamond, and Gil- 
bert — laid out on the " two-hundred-acre tract," as it was 
called, the village of Union City, in the spring of 1837, 
the acknowledgment to the plat being dated April 10 of 
that year. It was surveyed by O. Wilder, who made the 
following minutes upon the margin of the map : 

"The town is laid out on section 4, in township 5 south, of range 
7 west. The Coldwater Kiver is a stream of great power, and with 

* See transcribed Record of Deeds, liber AB, pp. 37, 38, 39, 40. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



207 



a (lam of two feet high will give n fall of about eighteen feet, — a 
power eijiial to tlic greate.-Jt rcquireiiient.-^ of the country. 

"The country around i? one of 8urpas:*ing beauty and of great 
fertility, wheat being the jftaple product, but equally good for wool- 
growing. Climate is healthy ; waters pure, lively, and transparent. 

"O. WlI.llKR. 

" There is also a quarry of buililing Ftono of excellent quality, 
sudicicnt in extent for all the purposes of the town, in the iuiuiediato 
vicinity.*' 

Me.ssrs. Israel W. Clark aiul Isaac Diamond came here 
in 1S;!S. with a larjje force of men, and hepm making ira- 
jiroveweiits. Tlie old saw-inili race was enlarged and length- 
ened, and a new saw-mill and a grist-mill built. The saw- 
mill occupied the site of the present one, below the grist- 
mill, and the latter is yet standing, now the property of 
Ezra Bostwick. It has been refitted and improved in the 
interior, while the frame remains the same.* The saw-mill 
built by the company was burned down. Their master 
builder was John W. Norton, from Rochester, N. Y., who 
remained in the village. His death occurred in the fall of 
1878, from the effects of injuries received from a runaway 
team. 

Mr. Clark, after getting his improvements well under 
way, went to New York for his family, leaving John N. 
Stickney, then in the company's employ as clerk, in charge 
of affairs. Mr. Clark returned witli his family from Ni^w 
York City in the spring of 1839, and has remained here 
since. 

The company had brought on a considerable stock of 
goods for the use of their men, and after they were dis- 
posed of Mr. Stickney established a store on his own ac- 
count, the building he occupied .standing very nearly on 
the present site of Henry Seymour's brick store, on the 
east side of Broadway. Stickney afterward returned to 
the East. He is now at Rockville, Conn., editing the 
Tol/mid County Jonruiil. 

The store of Mr. Stickney was the first one of any note 
in the village. A man named Hiram Jlarsh,! who settled 
here as early, probably, as 1835, owned a small store. The 
one owned by " the company" stood on the northeast cor- 
ner of Broadway and High Streets, opposite the " Union 
City House." It was a heavy, hewed frame building, and 
its upper floor was used for school-room, meeting-house, 
court-room, and every purpose which a public room was 
needed for at that time. The supply of good money in 
time became somewhat limited, and a general system of 
bartering wtis conducted at the store, which place came to 
be known as the " Subtreasury," by which name it is yet 
familiarly remembered. 

Josiah Judd, from Cortland, N. Y., settled in Union 
City in the month of May, 1838, with his wife, two .sons, 
and one daughter. They had stopped a short time in Bur- 
lington, until they could finish a house in Union City 
which had been framed. Tlie elder son, Ira J. Judd, was 
married and brought his wife with him. He died in Sep- 
tember following their arrival. The younger son, Le Roy, 



* For a short time the grist-mill contained but two runs of stones : 
two more were soon added, however, and four is (he number it now 
contains. 

I Marsh stayed here but a few years, finally removing to some other 
part of the State. 



was then but eighteen years of age. The family lived in 
the village until 1853, and then moved to the place now 
occupied by L. R. Judd, half a mile east, at the turn of 
the Coldwatcr road. Here the latter has since resided. 
His mother died many years ago, and his father's death 
occurred in February, 1865. They moved upon this place 
in July, 1 853. 

John D. Zimmerman, from Fairfield Co., Conn., came to 
Union City in the early spring of 1838, bringing with him 
a .set of blacksmith's tools. Lsaac M. Diamond, Mr. Clark's 
partner, had promised that a .shop should be all ready for 
him upon his arrival, but the only eligible building he found 
on reaching here was the deserted log shanty which had 
been erected on the flat by Isaiah W. Bennett. In this he 
began work, and had all the custom of the company, with 
whatever outside business that happened to come in. After 
two months' stay he went after his family, returning with 
them in the following September. In the spring of 1839 
he built a shop of his own. 

Mr. Zimmerman, in common with all the early settlers 
of the village, was imbued with a hatred of slavery and its 
attendant disgraceful features. Union City was one of the 
many stations on the famous '•underground railroad," and 
Mr. Zimmerman was a self-eon.stituted station-master, for 
more than one refugee from the " land of chivalry ' escaped 
through his instrumentality. The spirit of the New Eng- 
lander rebelled against an unholy traffic in human flesh and 
blood, and even though the Fugitive Slave Jiaw was in full 
force, many a descendant of Revolutionary heroes set it at 
defiance by aiding in every possible way the escape of the 
unfortunate from bondage. 

During the year 1839 a mulatto named William Smith, 
from the banks of the Pedee River, in North Carolina, came 
to Union City ; and, being a blacksmith by trade, was hired 
by and worked in the shop with Mr. Zinnnerinan. The 
owner of the plantation he had left was his own father. 
The latter, thinking very much of him, had given him free- 
papers and sent him North. He finally came to Union 
City, and in 1842 his son, Andrew, who had escaped by 
having his own name substituted in the free-papers of his 
father, also appeared upon the scene, with two or three 
others The man who had helped him get away was a 
neighbor to his master, and had been made to pay the price 
of the runaway to his irate owner. The man came North 
to claim his jnoperlij and take him back, and was enter- 
tained for several days at Mr. Zimmerman's, for all of 
which kindness he never paid a cent. He left after a vain 
attempt to induce Andrew to go back with him ; and the 
latter was then sent to Canada, where he remained till the 
atmosphere was more quiet, when he came back. The 
pompous slave-holder was armed with revolvers and a huge 
bowie knife, and took great pains to exhibit them often ; 
but was too shrewd to attempt to frighten anybody with 
them in the land where already the iron heel was becoming 
uneasy to set itself with crushing force on the neck of 
slavery. Yet it may be imagined how great was liis dis- 
appointment at the necessity of returning empty-handed. 

Mr. /innnerman in recent years prepared a long article 
on this subject for insertion in the village paper, but was 
unable to complete it, and it never was published. The 



208 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



foregoing account contains the main facts in the case, and 
evioces the pluck and determination of not only Mr. Zim- 
merman but all who were ever interested earnestly in simi- 
lar schemes. Mr. Zimmerman is still a resident of the 
village. 

Joseph C. Leonard, from the town of Smyrna, Chenango 
Co., N. Y., came to Michigan in June, lS-l-2. From De- 
troit to Ann Ai-bor his trip was by rail ; thence to Marshall 
by stage, from which latter place he walked to Athens, or 
Dry Prairie, where a cousin of his was living. Atlien.i 
seemed to be an unknown locality to the farmers along the 
road, and the few that had heard of it imagined it to bo a 
great distance away. But when asked the whereabouts of 
Dry Prairie (in Athens township, Calhoun Co.) they knew 
instantly. Soon after reaching the Prairie, Mr. Leonard 
came over to Union City to visit some friends from the 
neighborhood of his old home. He finally concluded to 
stay here, purchased the lot upon which he now lives, 
cleared it up, and has lived upon it ever since. 

Mr. Leonard has held numerous positions of importance 
in tlie village and townsliip, and was twice postmaster, his 
commission being the second one sent to this place. 

Homer C. Hurd, brother to Dr. W. P. Hurd, of Union 
City, visited this region in 1832. The next year he en- 
tered a quantity of government land in the adjoining town- 
ship of Burlington, and received his patent therefor in 
1834, in the spring of which jear he settled. Justus 
Goodwin was then making preparations to build his saw- 
mill at the village. Mr. Hurd is now deceased, and his 
widow has moved from her farm to a lot near the residence 
of Dr. W. P. Hurd. She came very early to Michigan 
with her father, Thomas McGee, from the shore of Lake 
George, in Warren Co., N. Y., settling in what is now the 
township of Concord, Jackson Co. 

Deacon Chester Hammond, also from the town of Smyrna, 
Chenango Co., N. Y., came to Union City in 183(>, and 
became largely interested in the affairs of the place. His 
son, Charles G. Hammond, has already been mentioned. 
The latter is now a prominent citizen of Chicago, 111. 
Another son, Henry L. Hammond, who taught the second 
winter school in the village, became a noted divine, and the 
family was one of the most influential ones which found a 
home in this locality. 

Solomon Parsons, who liad been here in the spring of 
183G, settled with his wife in the fall of the same year. 

Carpenter Chaffee, a blacksmith by trade, located early 
in the spring of 1836, and during the same season Charles 
A. Lincoln helped him build a shop which was one of the 
first frame structures in the place. 

Curtis S. Youngs, who settled in 1837, coming from 
Chenango Co., N. Y., in company with the families of 
Caleb Lincoln and Darius Buell (Mr. Buell having come 
in 1S3G), was here in 183G, and built a two-story planked 
house, into which his own family and that of Mr. Lincoln 
moved upon their arrival the next year. This house was 
on the north side of Hammond Street, east of Broadway, 
and east of the present marble-shop. Mr. Buell's family 
moved into the log house he had built, which stood in 
what is now the middle of Broadway, west of the Congre- 
gational church. He afterwards built the house opposite, 



in which his widow now resides. Mr. Lincoln, as has been 
stated, soon moved upon his farm. 

The few cows owned in the village in 1837 were " free 
commoners," and at night were wont to congregate around 
the house of Mr. Youngs, which had the effect of disturb- 
ing the slumbers of his family. If the cows were driven 
away they took up a " bee-line" for Darius Buell's house, 
and would lie there the balance of the night, and conse- 
quently these two families had nightly benefits from the 
horned prowlers. 

Charles A. Lincoln had a couple of pigs in a pen, and 
one night he was aroused from sleep by a terrific squeal from 
one of them. Springing from bed and putting his head 
out of the window, he was just in time to see a huge wolf 
lift one of the pigs from the pen and trot off with it toward 
the west. Thus the supply of pork in that immediate 
neighborhood was lessened one-half 

In the days of the early settlement of this place wild 
strawberries grew in great profusion in the openings north 
of the river, and, while their season lasted, supplied the in- 
habitants with at least one luxury. Tiie woods south of the 
river contained great numbers of the sugar-maple, and each 
spring witnessed numerous .settlers wending their way into 
the forest, guided by lines of blazed trees, for the purpose 
of making maple-sugar. Mr. Youngs and Mr. Buell made 
theirs together, and excellent sugar it was, too. The town- 
ship is still noted for the amount of maple-sugar it produces. 
In the year 1874 Union manufactured over 30,000 pounds, 
or nearly one-half the entire amount made in the county. 

Mr. Youngs served one term as register of deeds for 
Branch County. 

rnYSici.\NS. 

In the year 1834, Dr. Theodore C. Hurd, from Genesee 
Co., N. Y., purchased a farm in Burlington, Calhoun Co., 
and settled upon it in 1837. He had come first with 
his brother. Homer C. Hurd, who has been previously men- 
tioned. The doctor moved into Union City afterwards, 
and died here in 1845. Previous to 1810 he was the only 
practicing physician in this vicinity. In the latter year his 
brother, William P. Hurd, also a physician, and still a 
prominent citizen of the place, located here and began ])rac- 
ticing. These two had a large ride, especially in the fall of 
the year, when there was much sickness. Another brother, 
Henry S. Hurd, came here in 1838, and after some time 
spent in reading medicine he returned to New York and 
attended lectures, subsequently settling at Homer, Calhoun 
Co., Mich. In the spring of 184G, after the death of Dr. 
T. C. Hurd, Henry removed to Union City, where he lived 
and practiced until 1854, in which year he went to Gales- 
burg, Knox Co., 111., where he still resides and enjoys an 
extensive practice. His wife is a daughter of Chester 
Hammond, and, as mentioned, taught an early summer 
school in Union City. Henry M. Hurd, M.D., a son of 
Theodore C. Hurd, is the present superintendent of the 
Eastern Asylum for the Insane, at Pontiac. For eight 
years previous to taking that position he was one of the 
phy.sicians at the Kalamazoo Asylum. 

One Dr. D. Wilson lived and practiced here one season, 
— 1810 — and is now in the south part of the county. Dr. 
W. P. Hurd was one of the five original members of the 






EZRA BOSTWICIC 



/ilRS.EZRA BOSTWICK 




Residence cr EZRA BOSTWICK. Union City, Mich 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



2(i;> 



" Brancli Couuty Medical Society," organized iu the winter 
of 1841-42, and after some years allowed to lose its identity. 
Dr. H. F. Ewers came hero in 1854 from Onondaga Co., 
N. Y., and has been cng-aged in practice in this locality 
since. His brother, C. E. Ewers, came in 1855, and these 
two gentlemen comprise the well-knnwri dm;:; firm which 
hiis been so long in bu.sincsH hero. 

Dr. W. P. Ilurd ha.s n<it practiced since the close of the 
llebellion (1865j. Numerous physicians of the botanic and 
other .schools have been located in the village at different 
times, and tho.se now in practice here are Dr.s. H. F. Ewers 

J. W. Wellman, — ^ Fitzgerald, Hale, Brom- 

filed (eclectic), F. Baker (homoeopathic), — — Claflin, and 
E. H. Burd, the latter a nephew of Dr. W. P. Hurd. 

LAWYERS. 

The first member of the legal fraternity who settled here 
was Justus Goodwin, who became a man of much promi- 
nence in both the county and State, and but for several 
serious faults might have been honored even more. It is 
not in the province of this work to speak disparagingly of any 
man, and those who best knew him can discuss his merits 
or demerits as they choose. As the founder of Union City 
he is at least entitled to a considerable share of credit. 

Charles G. Hammond (now Col. Hamninnd, of Chicago) 
was the second lawyer who made his domicile in Union 
City, and to him is due more credit, perhaps, for estab- 
lishing the town and furthering its enterpri.sos than to 
any other man. He purchased the village site in January, 
1836. 

Justin Lawyer, a barrister by name as well as by pro- 
fession, had an office early where the barber-shop now is, 
between the " Union City House" and the drug-store of 
the Messrs. Ewers. About 1853 he went from here to Cali- 
fornia, returning subsequently to Coldwater, where he is at 
present residing. 

The lawyers now in practice in the village are George 
Styles, George E. Smith, iMarc A. Merrifield, and W. E 
Ware. Of these the first named is a native of " Merrie 
England." 

UNION CITY POST-OFFICE. 

A post-office was established at this place in December, 
1834, and named Goodwinsvillo, by which title the village 
Wiis then known. The first postmaster was Justus Good- 
win, under whom Chester Hammond, Corydon F. Benton, 
and Joseph C. Leonard acted at different times as deputies. 
Mr. Benton was subse(|uently elected county clerk, and re- 
moved to Coldwater. Mr. Leonard was Goodwin's suc- 
cessor, his commission having been Sent in 1845 or 4(j. He 
held the office until 1849, when H. II. Smith was ap- 
pointed. Melvin L. Young was also a deputy at one time. 
Mr. Smith's successor was probably Jason L. Lee, who in 
turn was succeeded by Dr. Smith Rogere. Mr. Leonard 
was a second time appointed (to succeed U(]ger.>), and held 
the office until the beginning of Lincoln's administration, 
when Edwin Perry, Esq., received the appointment. The 
next incumbent was Jerome Bowen,aiKl the eighth and hwt 
Mortimer Vosburgh, who is .still in office. 

The first mail contractor was Henry Blazer, father of 
Jacob M. and Peter Blazer, and one of the first .settlers in 
27 



the township outride of the village. A good story is told 
relating to the time wlien the office was first established, and 
during Goodwin's term as postma.stcr. 

A certain person named John Palmer was going to Cold- 
water, and Goodwin gave him a pair of saddle-bags, and told 
him t« bring back any mail which might be there for Good- 
winsville. The trij) to Coldwater was made in safety, the mail 
secured, and the journey back begun. Somewhere iu the 
neighborhood of what is now Orangeville or " Hodunk," Pal- 
mer became aware that he was lost, and as twilight was deep- 
ening into darkness he concluded not to go farther till morn- 
ing. He WiLS quite a musician in his way, and never went 
on any trip without his faithful violin. Therefore, turning his 
pony loose, leaving the saddle-bags and mail upon him, he 
sat down on a log, tuned up his fiddle, and woke the forest 
echoes with strains of music that must have delighted the 
wild animals which there abounded. His tireless arm 
wielded the bow, while his voice kept company, and not till 
the " streakings of the morning light" tinged the Eastern 
sky and showed him his position did he cease his effiarts. 
With dawn came a knowledge of his location ; but the pony 
and saddle-bags were nowhere in sight, nor within hearing 
distance. Placing his fiddle under his arm he started for 
home, and in due time arrived at the bank of the St. Joseph, 
about where the south end of the bridge in Union City now 
is. His story was soon told, and Goodwin and another man 
started after the missing pony and the saddle-bags, which 
were finally found iu different places late in the afternoon. 
Palmer seemed not very anxious about the mail, for he said 
there was " only one letter, and that was a dunnitig letter 
for Jack Bennett!" No members of Bennett's or Good- 
win's families are now living here. 

The first frame house in Union City was the dwelling of 
Justus Goodwin, which has been described. Carpenter 
C!haffee's blacksmith-shop was one of the first frame struc- 
tures in the place, but the most important among the early 
ones was the " Union City Hou.se." The residence of 
Curtis S. Youngs was built about the .same time. The 
" Union City House" was erected in 1836 by the proprie- 
tors of the village.* In August, 1837, Israel W. Clark 
and his wife came to Union City on a short visit, and 
.stopped overnight at this hotel, which was at that time 
kept by Isaiah W. Bennett. The building w;ts not yet 
finished ; the outer doors were hung, but the partitions and 
inner doors wore all of cotton cloth, which, although but 
ineffectual barriers, answered all the purposes required, and 
travelers were as safe behind them as though the partition 
walls were of solid ma.sonary. Israel W. Clark was not one 
of th'e company when this was built. 

In March, 1837, previous to the time Bennett was keep- 
ing the hotel, it was in charge of Chester Ilammond.f 
The first regular landlord of this house — or the first to stay 
in it any great length of time — w;is Thomas L. Acker, who 
was a well-known hotel-keeper of those days. During the 
days of the famous steamboat excitement its landlord was 
a man named Morton, who changed its name to " The 
Steamboat Hotel." A large, four-sided sign bearing those 
words was .set upon a pole in the middle of the street in 



•Information by Charles A. Lincoln, who helped to build it. 

t Tiifuriiiiitinn iiy .\[rj. Hoiiiur ('. Hiinl. 



21U 



HISTOKY OF BUANCU aU MV, MUHIUaX 



ftvwjt of the batldiu^. wWw it stiKni H»r a uumK-r ot'ytjars. 
Kara Wilder atWrwarvls kept it for a tiuie. TUe i>res<ut 
pn.>prietor is Stephen WivkK-k. The long aiklitioti iu the 
rear of the uiaiu building was ereeted b_v Jv>hu J. VV'e- 
mvre aud the upjvr {-art was louj; «st\l as a hall. It has 
siuee been partitiotuxi off iuto rvx>ius, aud the simiid of 
mmc aud the tripjwu^ of inerrv feet are ht\-in.l iu it uo 
more. 

t.>u the eoraer. one block north of the " Union City 
House" 1 *<-^uthweet cvwruer of Bn>ailway and Ellen Streets^ 
a frame hotel was built iu 1S42 by Thouias L. Acker, who 
has been uientiouovl as the first regular landlord of the 
■■ Vuion City House."" It was but a small buildina:. aud 
went by the names of ■' Acker House,"' " Cottage House," 
etc. It is at present iu use as a dwelling, aud has been 
removed to the western part of the village. Mr. Acker 
was atlerwarvls engaged in tavern- keeping Uuh iu M,irshall 
aud Kalama2i.x<. 

The hotel now kuowti as the •• Titl»w House"" was built 
iu 1S45 by Jacob Blazer auvi Silas Marble, for use as 
stores. A store aud a meat-market were long kK-ated iu it. 
In 1S<j7 the building was purchasevl by J. S. Kowell, who 
wuverted it iuto a hotel. He at present inx-upit-s the base- 
tiient. After some time he sold the property to Isaac 
Maltby, of Sherw<,KHl. The present proprietors, Messrs. 
Titlow Bn.>thers, have owned it seven years. The build- 
ing is a large frame structure, located on the corner south 
of the " Union City House."" 

J. S. Kowell, who established the building as a hotel, 
came to the township of Sherwood iu 1S45, with his tather. 
Jared M. Kowell, ftom Naples, Ontario Co., N. Y. The 
elder Kowell was a veteran of the war of 1812, aud for 
many years p<.istmaster of Sherwood. He died Jan. 13. 
1S7-1, at an advanced age. 

The - Johnson House,'" located near the railway station, 
in the s<.>uthern part of the village, has been erecte*,! within 
recent years, — since the completion of the raila>ad. — aud 
from the tket that it is a new building is the best in town 
for hotel purposes, although its custom is perhaps not as 
great as if it were nearer to the business of the pUnv. Its 
location is a pleasant one. 

John J. Freemyre. for some time the pn.>prletor ot" the 
■• Union City House." is now a resident of Cass County. 

Numerous internal improvements were pn>jected during 
the infiincy of Michigan as a State, and all were to be made 
at euormous cost. As the p<.ipulatiou was very meagre it 
became necessary to stop such legislation or sacrifice every 
acre of public lauds, for otherwise the people would have 
been placed hopeletssly iu debt, aud immigration must' have 
ceased. The scheme of a ship-canal across the s<.>utheru 
peninsula was long a matter of discussion, aud various 
routes were surveyed. One of the projects early enter- 
taineil was that of the " improvement of the St. Joseph 
Kiver to Union City, and a canal by the way of Homer, 
and across the counties of Jackson and Washtenaw (o the 
Huron, at IVxter.'" Under the direction of the Committee 
of Internal Improvements of the State of Michigan. Charles 
F. Smith, in the summer of ISoS, made a surrey of the 
river, from which it appears isee his report, page 262, 
Senate l\>cumeuts, ISoSVthat at Brauch Couutv, iu town 



7 wk-st, a distance by the river of one hundrvrl aud sixty 
wiU\s, — forty-thrtv of which were thivugh the State of In- 
diana. — the elevativ>u is two hundred aud eighty-five feet. 
The survey to determine the feasibility of a canal to Hv>mer. 
and the use of the K,ilauiaai.>v> Kiver aud lakes in that vicin- 
ity as fkwlers, in a distance of twenty miles of further 
ascent, was made, making the KalamaxM^ and lakes near 
Homer, iu Calhoun County, thret- hundred and st'venty-five 
feet abv>ve the level of l^ake Michigan, which is titKvn ftvt 
higher than Lake Krie. 

■■ Mr. Cyrus Holmes, a gentleman of this party, ran for 
the citiiei>s of Jacksk>u aud vicinity a line to the Hurv»u, 
frv»m Homer, aud favorable re|K>rt was made without a cut 
*>{ more than twenty feet. The report of thjit jn.>rtion of 
the survey we tail to find in the archives of the State, but 
frvmi the surveys as shown since for railrvvids we have no 
doubt that the rejvrt is cv>rrect, and that the summit on 
that route is aWut three hundred and ninety feet, iustead 
of four hundreil and ninety teet, as given by railmad sur- 
veys."* 

At Union City, then, was declared to be the " head of 
nstvigatiou on the St. Joseph river.'" and the inhabitants for 
a time were nearly delirious with excitement over their 
prospects, especially as an appropriation of $50,000 was 
made for clearing away obstnictioi\s and imprv>viug naviga- 
tion iu the stream. SIO.OOO of which were actujtlly ex- 
pende«.l at this place, being the proceeds of the sale of a 
certain amount of public lands. Justus Goodwin was the 
agent appoiutetl to oversee the work and attend to the ex- 
jvuditure of the funds. St> confident were the jHvple that 
their p«>t scheme was to be realised, that I\«c^>u Chester 
Hammond, on the 7th of March, 1S3S, laid out a large 
addition on the west side of the vilL-ige. The route of the 
pro{>osed canal is shown on the recon,led plat, together with 
a " steamboat basin," The following title explains itself: 
•• A map of Hammonds addition to Union City, at the 
head of steamlioat navigation and proposed junction of 
Erie Canal with St. Jivseph's Kiver, Branch Co., Mich. !" 
Portions of this addition have since been vacatetl by order 
of the (."ircuit Court, aud others have since btvn made by 
Messrs. Lee. Moseley, and Vosburgh. 

The wave of excitement over the contemplated canal 
tolled harmlessly over, aud for a time the subject was al- 
lowed to rest. Other iuttuences were quietly at work, 
however, and a new plan for increasing the pnisperity of the 
village was iu time prviposed. In the vicinity of the place 
considerable quantities of " bog"" and '• kidney" iron ore 
were found, aud the townships of Girard and Butler were 
even richer in the deposit. Therefore a blast furnace should 
be constructed which should accomplish the salvation of 
the city of the St. Jixseph. The " Union City Iron Com- 
pany"" was formed, having among its stockholders Deacon 
Chester Hammond, Theodore C. Hurvl, M.P., Charles G. 
Hammond. Darius Buell, Col. Thom,-is Moseley, aud others f 
A. M. Hurd was the compauy"s agent, and the stockholders 



< Ext»ck from i» pap«r pr«t>ar«d by U. .\. Skaw, of Eaton Rapids, 
ou the early efforts of the State to demoofCrate the praoticabUitr of 
a ship oauial across the Peulnsula. 

■f The eompauv was iueorporated by »et of the Legislature, Maiek 

IT. is»r. 



HISTOUY OF BliAXCH COUNTY, JUCUIGAN. 



211 



were all r<*\A<:uUi of thic jfxaility. The furnace waH built 
in 184f), and in the month of May. 1847, it i^ stated that 
the firHt |>i;.'-iron ever made in Michiffan wax manuractur';<l 
here. Col. M(j»;ley afu;rward« became «ole proprietor of the 
furnao:, and vm one of the moHt prominent biuinewi men in 
the place for many yisirw. Win remainx lie in the Hiverhide 
CcnieU;ry. 

The old furnaw: (^tntiniK^J in ofxjration a numV>er of y<sirs. 
durinf; the la«t w;ven of whieh Silaji W. N'ye wa« it« man- 
ager. Mr. Nye in a native of a |(x;ality near Painoiville, O., 
and leanied the trade of a moulder at lirownton, Ixirain 
Co., workinj; aflU;rward>> at Cleveland, when twenty-one 
yeant of age. In 1847, wlien twenty-two. he came to 
Union City, and worked from their start in huxinesf! with 
the Union City Iron Company. He finally purchased the 
property and continued the manufacture of plowH. which 
had been be<fiin under his manigement, the furnawi not 
having proved the great source of profit it« project^jrw had 
calculated New huildingx have been erected, and the ca- 
pacity of the work.s greatly enlarged. The present firm Ls 
known ax the " Nye Manufacturing Ojmpany," and has a 
capital Htrjck of 850,000, with a paid-up capital of 82fi,000. 
From twenty to thirty men are employed, the principal 
article manufactured being the Nye chilled plow. Some 
job-work and machine-work \n also done. The officers of 
the company arc Thomas B. Bucll, President ; H. F. 
Kwers, .M.D., Vice-President ; George W. Buell, Secretary; 
S. II. Nye, Treasurer. The manufactory is located on the 
"flat" at the site of Gwdwin's old saw-mill, which build- 
ing now do<^ duty as a machinery-room. The manufac- 
tures of this firm are first class, and many years' experience 
has won a wide reputation for them, of which the com- 
pany is justly proud. 

Union City had an equal chance with other places for 
securing both the Michigan Southern and Michigan Cen- 
tral Railways ; but the ideas of the people were yet fixed 
on a canal, and nothing else would satisfy them. When, 
however, the two railroads mentioned passed, one to the 
wjuth and the other to the north of them, and Coldwater 
and Marshall and Battle Creek became of such importance 
among the cities of the State, the citizens of Union City 
realized their mistake. The old hobby of a canal and 
.st<,-amboat navigation was not lost sight of, and in the 
neighbf)rhood of the year 1850 it was proposed to at least 
utilize the river, and a company wxs formed, with a capital 
of 81)00(1, for the purpose of building a steamer. The 
boat was completed at this place, ready for the machinery. 
She was 95 feel keel, 10 feel breadth of beam, and on the 
day she was luunehed pushed off with 15(j pei-sons on 
board, drawing with that load but i:^ inches of water. 
They poled her dowti to the bend, half a mile or more, and 
buck again. It is estimated that the draught would be 
but 15 iiiehes with a lull load after the machitiery was in 
place. The model was excellent, and much credit was 
reflected upon the builder. The boat was floated down to 
Mishawaka, Ind., and there received her machinery, the 
boiler having been procured at Cleveland, Ohio. For some 
time she plied iis far up as Three Rivers, never returning 
to Union Cily. She was finally capsized iiiid sunk, caused 
by her stern swinging around and .striking a bridge. One 



person — the captain — was drowned, and others escaped but 
narrowly. This ended the navigation of the upper St. 
Jo,s<.'ph. Among the st'K-kholders of the company that 
built the boat were Darius Buell, Ezra Wilder, Curtis S. 
Youngs, Sylvester Strong, Chester Hammond, and Dr. 
Theodore C. Hurd. 

The Michigan Air-Line Railway was finally constructed, 
and from the time its route was definitely settled the vil- 
lage has grown and pr'j!=pered. Mixed trains were run 
over the road in the fall of 1870, and the next season it 
had put on regular trains, and a new era had dawned upon 
the region it passes through. Its route is said to be nearly 
identical with one suri-e^-ed many 3'ear8 previous for the 
Michigan Central Haiiwriv wliicli ndw <.vrtis and controls 
this road. 

I.N'OKl'ORATIO.N Of VILLAOK, ETC. 

In the fall of 18t»5 the following petition, signed by 
numerous citizens of the place, was sent to the Board of 
Supervisors of Branch County : 

" To th*. H'tnoruhl*: ll'tnrtl <tj SupfrrriMnro >,J lir'inrh 1.'*jiiiilif. Sf"f» OJ 

Mlrhli/an : The UD<ler«igiie<l citiwru" of fnion City, and freeboldert, 
wciuM refpectrully petitioD your honorable body to incor[>orate Union 
City, ail preecribed by law, taking in all the territory commencing 
with the r(uart«r Hoe on the eaj't and coanty line on the north, run- 
ning south on the quarter line three-fourths of one mile; tbenc« 
we»t parallel with the county line tbree-fourthe of one mile; thence 
north parallel with the quarter line to the county line : thence east 
to the quarter line from the place of starting." 

The territory included wjntained a population of 545, 
and in pursuance of an act entitled " An Act to provide 
for the Incorporation of Villages," approved Feb. 17, 1857, 
the petition was granted by the board and the place incor- 
porated under the name of " The Village of Union City." 
The starting-p(jint of the survey of the territory incorporated 
was at the quarter-post on the north line of section 4, town- 
ship 5 south, range 7 west. It was ordered by the board 
that George W. Buell, David R. Cooley, and James T. 
Leonard be appointed inspectors to hold the first corpo- 
ration election, at the town-hall in the village. This elec- 
tion was held Jan. 25, 1866, and choice made of the 
following officers, viz. : President, Isaac Jones ; Trustees, 
H. F. Ewers, J. D. Hathorn, J. W. Smith, Caleb Lin- 
coln, Anson Knowles, Richard Avery; Assessors, E. Bar- 
ber, Hiram Cri.s.sey ; Clerk, George W. Buell ; Street 
Commissioners, S. B. Sims, C. E. Ewers, I. Rowell ; Treas- 
urer, C. A. Seymour. 

At the regular election, held March 6, 1866, the follow- 
ing officers were chosen: President, Silas H. Nye; Trus- 
tees, J. C. Leonard, FI. F. Ewers, A. P. West, A. B. 
Aiken, S. Parsons, Charles M. Whiting; Assessors, Ed- 
ward Barber, Hiram Cri.ssey ; Street Commissioners, Sin- 
dall Morrell, Asa Ilawley, J. M. Rowell ; Treasurer, Jas. 
T. Leonard ; Clerk, Chauncey W. Saunders ; Fire- Wardens, 
C. E. Ewers, G. W. Buell, Richard Carpenter; Pound- 
master, Sindall Morrell. 

1867.— President, Silas H. Nye ; Trustees, A. P. West, 
H. F. Ewers, Joseph C. Leonard, A. B. Aiken, Charles M. 
Whiting, Solomon Parsons. 

1868.— President, H. F. Ewers; Trastees, Silas H Nye, 
Hiram Crissey, Edwin Perry. ,\. B. .Mken, S. S. Wample, 
George W. Buell, 



212 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1869. — President, Solomon Parsons; Trustees, William 
Kenaebrook, David Gilford, Charles Whiting, David 
Church, Silas Lusk, Lawrence Rheubottom. 

The village was granted a new charter by the Legislature, 
March 23, 1869. The territory incorporated included the 
west half of section -1 and east half of section 5, town 5 
south, range 7 west. At a special election under the new 
charter, held April 13, 1869, the following officers were 
chosen, viz. : President, Ezra Bostwick : Trustees (two 
years), John B. Tucker, Joseph C. Leonard, William 
Kennebrook (one year), Charles M. Whiting, David Gif- 
ford, Solomon Parsons. The newly-elected board met 
April 20, and appointed James T. Leonard, Clerk ; Chaun- 
cey W. Saunders, Marshal ; James Antisdale, Assessor ; 
Sindall Morrell, Street Commissioner and Poundraaster. 
The presidents and trustees of the village, since 1869, have 
been the following, but three trustees being elected each 
year, and those for the term of two years : 

1870. — President, Ezra Bostwick; Trustees, David R. 
Cooiey, Silas H. Nye, Edward Barber : 

1871. — President, Henry F. Ewers, M.D. ; Trustees. 
George E. Aiken, Amos P. West, Lawrence Rheubottom. 
The latter removed from the village in the fall of 1870, 
and Joseph C. Leonard was appointed in his place. 

1872. — President, M. A. Merrifield ; Trustees (two 
years), Martin F. Buell, Samuel M. Chase, Morris Zim- 
merman (one year, to fill vacancy), James T. Leonard. 

1873. — President, Ezra Bostwick ; Trustees, A. P. 
West, Edwin L. Lee, H. F. Skinner. 

1874. — President, Ezra Bostwick ; Trustees, Morris 
Zimmerman, M. P. Buell, S. M. Chase. 

1875. — President, Ezra Bostwick ; Trustees, Amos P. 
West, Henry F. Ewers, Edwin L. Lee. 

1876. — President, Silas H. Nye ; Trustees, Isaac Tower, 
Martin F. Buell, Silas H. Lynn. 

1877. — President, Silas H.Nye; Tru.stees, Stephen A. 
Warren, Joseph Spencer, H. F. Ewers. 

1878. — President, Charles W. Crocker; Trustees, Frank 
C. Rheubottom, Hiram H. Chase, Asa Hawley ; Clerk, D. 
J. Easton ; Treasurer, Henry T. Carpenter ; Attorney, M. 
A. Merrifield; Marshal, Dwight E. Youngs; Fire- War- 
dens, Judson W. Buell, Heber S. Crissey. 

FIRE COMPANY. 

Union City has suffered severely upon several occasions 
from the ravages of the fire fiend, much valuable property 
having been destroyed. After considerable preliminary 
manoeuvering, an appropriation of $1500 was voted by the 
town council on the 28th of May, 1872, for the purpose 
of procuring a hand fire-engine. In the following month 
one was purchased of Messrs. Rumsey & Co., of Seneca 
Falls, N. Y., together with 500 feet of rubber ho.se, neces- 
sary hose-couplings, and a hose-cart, the latter costing 
$150. The engine arrived in July, and was named " The 
St. Joseph." Several capacious cisterns had previously 
been constructed for use in cases of emergency. The total 
cost of the engine and its appurtenances was $1489. 

A fire company was organized Feb. 4, 1873, composed 
of 43 persons. Its officers were M. F. Rowe, Foreman ; 
George W. Hinkle, Assistant Foreman ; E. B. Wheeler, 



Secretary ; F. C. RVu?ubottom, Treasurer ; Henry Seymour, 
Pipeman ; R. F. McCoy, Steward. A hose company was also 
formed, and the two were uniformed in June, 1873. In Sep- 
tember, 1874, 300 feet of new rubber hose were purchased. 

A new fire company, with 33 members, was organized 
in January, 1875, and called the " St. Joseph Fire Com- 
pany, of Union City." In 1876, a lot was purchased of 
Mrs. A. P. West, and an engine-house built thereon at a 
cost of S2150. A reorganization of the company was 
effected Feb. 13, 1877, when the list of members was in- 
creased to 49. The engine-house is located on High Street, 
east of Broadway, and is a substantial two-story brick 
building. It is surmounted by a small belfry, in which a 
triangle has been hung in lieu of a bell. The danger from 
fire in the business portion of the village has been greatly 
lessened by the erection of brick buildings. 

The newspapers of the village have been the Union 
City Independent, Union City Register, and Agents' Pass- 
port (with several other names subsequently). Of these, 
the only one now in existence is the Union City Register, 
published by Maj. D. J. Easton, formerly of the Sturgis 
Journal and Coldwater Republican, which latter he estab- 
lished in 1866. More particular mention of these papers 
will be found in a general chapter on the press of this 
county. 

THE UNION CITY CORNET BAND 
was organized early in 1878, under the leadership of Wm. 
H. Barsby, who is still its teacher, and under whom the 
band is making rapid advancement in the musical arena. 
It consists of twenty-one pieces, and the members have a 
very neat and tasty uniform. 

The township owns an excellent library, the volumes of 
which are for free circulation among its residents. It is 
located at the music-store of Mr. Gulliford, in Union City. 

The present iron bridge across the St. Joseph River, on 
Broadway, was built in the fall of 1878, by the King Iron 
Bridge Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. The total cost, 
including mason-work, was about $2000. Its length is 
one hundred and four feet, width, twenty-one feet ; and it 
has two sidewalks. Before this bridge was built the one in 
use was a double-span wooden-truss bridge, which had stood 
about eight years. 

THE UNION CITY NATIONAL BANK 

was organized in April, 1871, with a capital of $50,000. 
Its first officers were David R. Cooiey, President ; Wm. P. 
Hurd, Vice-President (and acting President) ; Ira W. Nash, 
Cashier. The present officers are William P. Hurd, Presi- 
dent ; Ezra Bostwick, Vice-President ; Charles T. Allen, 
Cashier. During the period from 1872 to 1875 this bank 
put up a surplus of $10,000, aside from paying annual 
dividends of ten per cent. Its capital is the same as when 
organized. Interest has always been paid on deposits. The 
directors are William P. Hurd, Ezra Bostwick, Israel W. 
CHark, Isaac Tower, Alexander C. McCreary, John B. Ham- 
mond, and Samuel P. Williams. 

THE farmers' national BANK OF UNION CITY 

was organized Oct. 12, 1877, with a capital of $50,000, — 
the same as at present. Its first officers, who still hold the 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



213 



positions were Thomas B. Bueli, President ; H. F. Ewers, 
M.D., Vice-President ; H. T. Carpenter, Cashier. The board 
of directors consists of Thomas B. Hiiell, M. F. Ewers, II. L. 
Bisbee, Homer Ilamsdeil, and D. K. Crawe. Before either 
of these banks wa.s e.stabli.shcd a i;eneral exchan<;e business 
was conducted by Me.s-srs. l?uoli, Bowen & Co. 

THE UNION AGRICULTURAL .SOCIETV 

was organized in 1867, consisting of the following ten per- 
sons as stockholders : Samuel Howe, Franklin Burnett. Wm. 
Kennebrook, H. F. & C. E. Ewers (as firm), Amos P. 
West, Thomas B. Buell, Ezra Bostwick, G. W. Buell, J. J. 
Freemyre, and A. C. Moseley. Twenty acres of land were 
purchased of Charles Wilkes, for the sum of $2001), and 
about the same sum was expendeil in preparing a racing 
track, inclosing and fitting the grounds for use. With the 
single exception of the year 1878, from one to three fairs 
have been held here annually. For the first five years the 
fairs were held by the society in the interest of the town- 
ships of Union and Sherwood, in Branch County, and 
Burlington and Athens, in Calhoun, and additional terri- 
tory was subsequently taken in. The society is not at 
present sustained, and the grounds are owned by Ezra 
Bostwick and Thomas B. Buell, who purchased them in 
1874, and rent them to parties desiring to hold fairs. 
Trotting exhibitions have principally been held here, and 
some of the finest coursers in this region have tested their 
speed upon the track at Union City. 

UNION LODfJE, NO. 28, V. AND A. M., 

was organized under dispensation, Sept. l-l, 1848. Its 
officers were: Worshipful Master, Marley P. Wood; Se- 
nior Warden, George S. Nichols; Junior Warden, Marlin 
Burnett ; Sec, H. H. Smith ; Treas., Justin Lawyer. The 
latter gentleman, now of Coldwater, where he was long en- 
gaged in the banking business, is the only one of the above 
five officers now living. A. B. Aiken, a prominent member 
of the lodge, was elected Master twelve years in succession. 
He came here in the spring of 1840 witii his father, John 
Aiken, from Vermilion, Erie Co., 0. His father and two 
sons (John and Spencer) were employed at the old furnace 
owned by the " Union City Iron Company." M. L. Youngs, 
a member of the old lodge, has been (since about 1858) 
Grand Lecturer of the State of Wisconsin. Edwin Perry, 
Esq., came here in 1851, from Concord, Jackson Co., Mich., 
and through his influence the lodge was placed upon a firm 
footing and brought to a condition of prosperity. Mr. Perry 
was seven times elected Master. In 1855 he was chosen 
Sergeant-at-Arms of the State Legislature, and representative 
in 1857 and 1859. In 1862 he received the appointment 
of postmaster at Union City, and held the office about ten 
years. 

The present membership of the lodge is 125, and its 
officers are: Worshipful Master, C. B. Knight; Senior 
Warden, J. D. Black ; Junior Warden, George W. Buell ; 
Sec, Frank Caughey ; Treas., E. Roe. 

UNION CITY CHAPTER, NO. 53, R. A. M., 

was organized under dispensation in 1867, with Edwin 
Perry ;us Migh-Priest. In 18(iH a charter was received, 
and Dr. H. F. Ewers cho.scn High- Priest, which position 



he has since continued to hiil<l. The officers under the dis- 
pensation were: High- Priest, Edwin Perry; King, Rodney 
Simons; Scribe, W. II. Kerr; Captain of Host, Albert 
Ferris ; P. S., A. B. Aiken ; R. A. (1, S. Rogers ; M. 3 V., 
Ira E. Hitchcock ; M. 2 V., 0. A. Cogswell ; M. 1 V., J. 
D. Spoor. The present membership is 70, and the officers 
are: H. F. Ewers, High- Priest ; R. Simons, King; George 
W. Buell, S. ; M. A. Merrifield, C. of H. ; John Black, 
R. A. C. ; John R. Lee, M. 3 V. ; R. E. McDonald, M. 2 
v.; David Merrell, M. 1 V.; Elmer Roe, Sec; A. P. 
West, Treas. ; Lewis Merrifield, Sentinel. 

UNION CITY COUNCIL, NO. 52, 

was organized in 1870. Its membership is something less 
than that of the chapter, and its principal officers are : 
Rodney Simons, T. I. G. M. ; II. F. Ewers, D. I. G. M. ; 
A. B. Aiken, P. C. W. 

UNION CITY LODOE, NO. 41, I. O. O. F., 

was organized in the winter of 1848—19. About 1853 the 
California gold-fever reached its maximum here, and more 
than half the members of the lodge left to pick up their 
fortunes in the " diggings.' This so crippled it that the 
charter was surrendered, and it was not until April 21, 
1871, that a new charter was received. The present mem- 
bership of the lodge is about 30, and its officers are F. C. 
Rheubottom, Noble Grand; D. T. Wilson, Vice-Grand ; 
H. R. Daniels, Permanent Sec. ; A. E. Ripley, Recording 
Sec. ; M. Vosburgh, Treas. and District Deputy. 

STAR ENCAMPMENT, NO. 51, I. O. O. F., 

was organized December 21, 1871, and has a present mem- 
bership of 21. Its first officers were Silas H. Nye, C. 
P. ; W. A. Mo.scley, H. P. ; P. D. Wilbur, S. W. ; D. B. 
Morehead, Scribe ; N. B. Engle, Treas. ; Samuel Gar- 
man, J. W. The present officers are Silas H. Nye, C. P. ; 
D. B. Morehead, H. P. ; Mortimer Vosburgh, S. W. ; F. 
C. Rheubottom, Scribe ; Joseph Failing, Treas. 

The rooms occupied by the Odd-Follows are in the fine 
brick building known as the " Cooley Block," at the south- 
west corner of Broadway and Ellen Streets. The Masonic 
Hall is in the brick block on the opposite (east) side of the 
street. Both are very neatly fitted up. 

Union City contained, in February, 1879, about 25 
stores of various descriptions, several .saloons, cigar-stores, 
meat-markets, livery-.stahli^, and the Usual complement of 
mechanic shops. Among her manufactures, aside from 
those mentioned, are those of lumber, bee-hives, carriages, 
wagons and sleighs, etc., all of greater or le.ss extent. A 
large steam grist-mill was built south of the river in 187.3. 
by the " Union City Flour Company," composed of Elmer 
Roe, C. W. Crocker, and D. A. Iluyck, the latter remain- 
ing in the firm but a short time. The building is a frame 
structure, containing four runs of stone. Merchant and 
custom business are both conducted, and five persons con- 
stantly employed. The present proprietors are Roe & 
Crocker. 

RIVERSIDE CEMETERY. 

During the nifaiu-y of tlie village an acre and a (luarter 
of land was purchased of Messrs. Clark & Diamond, within 



214 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the boundary of the place, and lyinj; on tlie St. Joseph 
River, and another acre was purchased from Eliza Wilder, 
in the adjoining township of Burlington, and the whole 
surveyed in May, 1845, into 448 lots for burial purposes, 
by L. S. Hobart. The lots, avenues, and alleys were laid 
out on the rectangular plan. Long before this survey was 
made the ground had been used for cemetery purposes, the 
first burial being that of little Sally Gifford, the three-year 
old daughter of Isaac and Roxey Gifford, her death occur- 
ring July 11, 1838. Soloma, daughter of Carpenter Chaf- 
fee, died Dec. 3, 1838, and her brother William on the 
3d of January, 1839. 

In 1864 an additional lot of land was purchased by the 
township from Henry F. Ewers, Joseph C. Leonard, and 
Col. Thomas Moseley, and a new survey made. In making 
the new plat, that part of the old cemetery which lay in 
Burlington was changed materially, having been but little 
used, while the portion in Union remains the same. The 
total amount of land now inclosed is about 7 acres, of 
which 1 acre is owned by the township of Burlington, Cal- 
houn Co., that being the amount purchased of Ezra Wilder 
in 1845 or previous. 

When the addition and new survey were made, the name 
of " Riverside Cemetery" was given as most appropriate. 
Col. Moseley died in 1865, and lies here, as do many of 
the pioneers of the town. A more fitting resting-place 
could not, perhaps, be found than this one in sight of the 
village they founded and built up, and the carved marble 
bears full many a name which awakens fond recollections 
of the past, when Union City was much greater on paper 
than in reality ; when the forest surrounding it had scarcely 
echoed the ring of the woodman's axe, and when the wild 
beasts were so plenty in the vicinity that the occupants of 
the few pens in the settlement were in constant danger. 
Peace to the ashes of the brave pioneers ! Their memory 
will long be cherished, for the days of their deeds of valor 
in subduing the wilderness are but shortly past. 

In compiling the foregoing article many of the older 
residents of the township and village have been consulted, 
and it is with much confidence in its accuracy that it is now 
submitted. Among those who have opened the store- 
houses of their memory and gleaned therefrom facts and 
incidents here incorporated are Deacon Israel W. Clark and 
wife, William P. Hurd, M.D., H. S. Hurd, M.D., and 
wife, of Galesburg, HI., Mrs. Homer C. Hurd, John D. 
Zimmerman, H F. Ewers, M.D., Caleb Lincoln, Charles 
A. Lincoln, Curtis S. Youngs and wife, Edwin Perry, Esq., 
Joseph C. Leonard, Silas H. Nye, L. R. Judd, the pastors 
and various members of the churches, proprietors of manu- 
factories, members of different societies and orders, and 
many whose names are not recollected. To all are ten- 
dered sincere thanks. 

Aside from personal interviews, the records of the vil- 
lage, township, county, and State have been examined, and 
by reference to the " pedigree" of Union City, as here 
given, it will be seen that the facts derived from the county 
records are of a somewhat different nature than the general 
opinion of the origin of the village of " Goodwinsville" and 
tlie subsequent stages passed through heforo Union City 
blo.ssomed out in all its glory. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



EZRA BOSTWICK 

was born in Otisco, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1826. 
He was the son of Oliver and Hannah Bostwick, who had 
a family of eight children. The elder Bostwick was a 
native of New Milford, Conn. But little is known of his 
early history further than that his parents were poor, and 
he thrown upon his own resources at an early age. Shortly 
after he attained his majority he married Miss Hannah 
Goodwin, emigrated to Onondaga County, and settled in 
Otisco, where he resided until his death, in 1866. He was 
possessed of more than ordinary amount of business ability, 
and was a man of inflexible integrity, and extremely ener- 
getic and industrious. In 1835 he came to Michigan 
and purchased two thousand acres of land in the town of 
Union. Ezra spent the early part of his life upon his 
father's farm, and, like many of the prominent and suc- 
cessful business men of to-day, received the rudiments of 
his education at the district school ; and although the edu- 
cational advantages of those early days were meagre, still 
he succeeded well, and subsequently entered an academy 
where he acquired a thorough education that well fitted 
him for his subse((uent successful business career. After 
completing his education, he worked as a farm hand by the 
month until 1846, when he was married to Miss Marietta 
McFarlin, of his native county, and came to Union, and 
settled upon his farm previously purchased. The land was 
entirely new and heavily timbered, and the construction of 
a farm and a home was a task of no small magnitude. As 
showing what can be done by energy and industry, it can 
be said that he has improved over one thousand acres of 
new land, most of which is in the town of Union. 

Mr. Bostwick has been prominently identified with Union 
City and township, and has filled many positions of trust 
and responsibility, the duties of which he has discharged 
with fidelity, with honor to himself, and to the satisfac- 
tion of the public. In 1869 he was elected to the repre- 
.sentative branch of the Legislature. Four years he repre- 
sented Union upon the Board of Supervisors, and for the 
same length of time has ofliciated as the president of the 
village. 

Mr. Bostwick is possessed of more than an ordinary 
amount of perseverance, indu.stry, and ambition. He has 
conquered success, and it may be truly said of him that his 
entire career is one worthy of the emulation of young men. 
He has not only witnessed the tran.sition of a thin settle- 
ment into a busy and populous community, of a semi- 
wilderness into a fertile and productive region, but in his 
own person has typified so admirably the agencies which 
wrought many of these changes, that no history of Union 
would be complete without .some sketch of his life. 



11. FRANCIS EWERS, M.D. 

Branch County is noted for the proficiency and high 
standard of its medical men, and none occupy a more de- 
servedly popular position than Dr. H. F. Ewers, of Union 
City. A residence of over a quarter of a century there, 




DR. H. F. EWERS. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



215 



during which time he has been in the active practice of his 
profession, has fully (li'nicinstratfd his general worth, and 
assigned iiini a conspicuous place in the history of Union 
City. H. Francis Ewers, son of Henry Kwers, one of the 
prominent citizens and pioneers of Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
wius born in the town of Manlius, Onondaga Co., Feb. 24, 
1830, second in a family of throe boys and two girls. He 
received an academical education, and at the age of seven- 
teen entered the Sophomore cliuss of Hamilton College, 
where he gniduat<.!d with honors in 1850, receiving the 
degree of M.A. After his graduation he made a choice of 
his profes.sion — that of a physician — and commenced the 
study of medicine with the late Dr. A. B. Shipman, of 
Syracuse, one of the most eminent surgeons of New York, 
with whom he remained four years. He then took a course 
of lectures at the Albany Medical College, graduating, 
however, at the Castlcton Medical College of Vermont. 
Iti 1854 he came to l^nion City, where he immediately es- 
tablished himself in the jiractice of his profession, in which 
he has been eminently successful. In 1857 he was elected 
president of the Branch County Medical Society, a member 
of Southern Michigan Medical Association, and a perma- 
nent member of the American National Medical Associa- 
tion. The doctor has been prominently identified with 
Union City. He was one of the originators and promi- 
nently connected with the construction of the Air-Line 
Railroad. He has taken a deep interest in educational 
matters, and has been a member of the board of education 
since 1858. In 1855. in company with his brother, C. E. 
Ewers, he opened the first drug-store in Union City. In 
his religious and political affiliations he is an Episcopalian 
and a Democrat. In January, 1858, he married Miss Lotta 
E. Waggoner, of Syracuse. He has two children, — Lotta 
E. and Lizzie .\. Di-. Kwers is a gentleman well and favor- 
ably known, and one who is highly respected and esteemed. 
He possesses the necessary (pialifications of a physician 
other than knowledge, — geniality of disposition and firm- 
ness blended with kindness and compassion. In his do- 
mestic relations he is kind and affectionate, a good husband, 
father, and friend, and in every sense a worthy citizen. 



TIIO.MAS B. IilIKI,L. 

The Buell family are of English extraction. Thomas 
Buell, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of New 
Hampshire. He was a farmer and miller by occupation, 
and ha<l a family of twelve children, — ten boys and two 
girls. The eldest, Darius, was the father of Thomas B., and 
was born in New Hampshire in 1784. From New Haiup- 
shire the elder Buell removed to Lebanon, Madison Co., 
N. Y. Here Darius married, and shortly after removed to 
Sherburne, Chenango Co., N. Y., where he resided until 
his death, in 18GG. He was blessed with a family of fifteen 



children, three of whom grew to maturity. Thomas B. 
was the seventh, and was born at Sherburne, Chenango Co., 
N. Y., in 1815. At the age of ten he went to live with a 
paternal uncle, a man of remarkabli! energy and thrift. 
Thomas early imbibed much of his zeal and energy, and 
attributes much of his success to the lessons taught him by 
his uncle. Like most farmers' boys, he had the advantages 




THOMAS li. nUELT,. 

of the district school for about two months in the winter, 
and finished his education at the Sherburne Academy. At 
the age of twenty he started in life for himself, and for a 
time worked on the Chenango Canal and as a farm hand. 
In 1836 he resolved to come to Michigan, and the spring 
of that year, in company with his brothers Chauncey and 
Justice, came to Union City. With his brother Chauncey 
he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in 
section 30. In 1840 he was married to Miss Mary E. 
Blakeman, of Union City. She was born in Burlington, 
Otsego Co., N. Y., March 20, 1814, and came to Michigan 
in 1838, with her father, David W. Blakeman. He set- 
tied in Union City, where he died in 1848, and where his 
wife died in 1862. 

Mr. Buell has been a very successful farmer, and has 
been prominently identified with Union City. He was 
elected president of the Farmers' National Bank of Union 
upon its organization, which position he still holds. He is 
also president of the Nye Manufacturing Co , of Union City. 
In political matters Mr. Buell is a Republican. He has 
been blessed with five children, three of whom are now 
living. 



B R O N S O N. 



The present township of Bronson includes Congressional 
township 7 south, in range 8 west of the principal merid- 
ian of Michigan, and is but a small part of the original 
town. 

By an act of the Legislative Council of Michigan, ap- 
proved Nov. 5, 1829, the town.ship of Green was organized, 
including the counties of " Branch, Calhoun, and Eaton, 
and the country lying north of the county of Eaton, which 
are attached to and compose a part of the county of St. 
Joseph,'' and the first township-meeting wa.s directed to be 
held at the house of Jabez Bronson.* 

By an act, dated June 29, 1832, the township of Prairie 
liiver was formed, including " all that part of the county of 
Branch known as townships numbered 5, (i, 7, and frac- 
tional township numbered 8, south of the base line, in 
ranges numbered 7 and 8, west of the principal meridian," 
or the west half of Branch County. The first township- 
meeting was also to be held at Bronson's house. 

The stream flowing through Bronson township, south of 
the Chicago road, was called Hog Creek, or in the Indian 
dialect •' Cocoosh-sepee." Another stream in Girard bore 
the same name, and when Mr. Farmer made his early map 
of Michigan he corresponded with Wales Adams, of Bron- 
son, asking what name should be given the stream in his 
township, in order not to confound the two. Mr. Adams 
wrote him to call it Prairie River, and as .such it was put 
down on the map. The township, being subsequently 
formed, received the same name. Just when the town- 
ship was changed to Bronson we have not been able to 
learn, but it was done in honor of the first settler, Jabe 
Bronson. 

Prairie River, or " Hog Creek," furnishes very good 
power, but as even a small dam causes considerable over- 
flow it is but little utilized. Swan Creek, flowing across 
the northern portion of the township, is a much better 
stream in this respect. A grist-mill and a saw-mill have 
been built upon it near the line between Bronson and 
Matteson townships, and firther down are the mills of 
Jonathan Holmes. 

The surface of Bronson is usually quite level, although a 
sandy ridge crosses it diagonally from northeast to south- 
west. The village of Bronson is located in the midst of 
what is called " Bron.son Prairie," although, strictly speak- 
ing, the name is inapplicable, from the fact that it was origi- 
nally a burr-oak plain and not a prairie. 

The famous " Chicago road" crosses the township from 
east to west, and was the first highway laid out within its 
limits. Along it passed the emigrant trains of the early 

* According to the testimony of those who knew Mr. Bronson, and 
by his own signature, it appears that his name was never written 
Jabez, but simply ./tibe, and as Jabe Bruiimn he was always known. 

216 



days, and in after-years the rumbling of the stage-coach 
and the merry winding of the driver's horn resounded along 
its course. The " Chicago road" was for many years the 
main thoroughfare of this region, but the stream of human 
freight which passed over it has never been equaled since 
the time when the West was being peopled by families from 
New York, New England, and other portions of the East. 

Railway facilities are aflbrded by the main line of the 
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern road. For a number 
of years the settlers were obliged to go to Adrian, and after- 
wards to Hihsdale, to find a railroad-market for their pro- 
duce. Whatever of surplus was raised by the farmers 
commanded but a very small price, and it was necessary to 
transport it a long distance to get anything. But the ad- 
vent of a railroad changed the a.«pect of afl"airs, and pros- 
pects brightened. Prices raised, and market facilities were 
to be had close at home, and from that time the growth and 
development of the township have been very steady. 

The following statistics from the census of 1874 will 
give an idea of the present status of the township, although 
in many respects the figures have changed : 



Population (males, 1101; females, 1013) 2,1U 

Number of acres of taxable land 22,93.3 

" " land owned by individuals and 

companies 23.000 

*' ** improved land 9,S50 

" '* land exempt from taxation.... 07 

Value of same, including improvements $17,200 

Number of acres in school-house sites 3^ 

" " church and parsonage sites.... 1^ 

" " burying-grounds 8 

" " R. R. right of way and depot 

grounds 54 

" farms in township 242 

" acres in farms 21,465 

Average number of acres in farms 8S.69 

Number of acres of wheat raised in 1874 2,879 

" •' " harvested in 1873 2,619 

" " corn " 1873 1,093 

" bushels of wheat " 1873 33.681 

" " corn " 1873 39,947 

** ** all other grains raised in 

1873 14,010 

" •* potatoes raised in 1873 6,854 

** tons of hay cut in 1873 1,130 

" pounds of wool sheared in 1873 5,6S4 

" " pork marketed in 1873 61,380 

'* " cheese made in 1873 400 

" " butter made in 1873 43,930 

" " fruit dried for market in '73 11,134 

" barrels of cider made in 1873 355 

" pounds of maple-sugar made in 1874.. 300 

" acres in orchards in 1874 350 

** bushels of ai)ples raised in 1872 12,484 

" " " " 1873 14,430 

1872 141 

" 1873 26 

pears " 1872 40 

" " 1873 51 

cherries " 1872 106 

1873 144 

Value of all fruit and garden vegetables raised in 

1872 $4,942 

Value of all fruit and garden vegetables raised in 

1873 $5,713 

Number of horses in township, one year old and 

over, 1874 453 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



217 



Number of mules 14 

** work oxen 16 

'* niilcli cows J^S 

** neut cattle, one year old and over, 

other thau oxen nod cows 501 

Number of swine over six uio!itlis old 0!M 

slieep " " l.liUl 

" '• shciirel in 187:1 1,40!) 

" flouring-uiills in township 1 

** persons employed in same 3 

Araouutof capital invested $.'),U00 

Number of barrels of flour made 5,000 

Value of products S48,000 

Number of saw-mills {includinj^ 1 stave-factory).. 7 

*' pcrs(»ns employed in same 27 

Amount of capital invested $10,000 

Number of feet of lumber sawed-' 1,70.^,000 

Value of proilucts $21,GS0 

Other .s;iw- ami urist-iuills li:icl previou-sly been in upera- 
tioii in tlio towiisliip, but from various causes bad been 
discontinued, and possibly tlierc are otlier luanui'actories 
which were not enumerated in the cen.sus returns. It will 
be seen by reference to the figures that a larger amount of 
lumber was cut in the saw-mills of Bronson in 1873 than 
in any other township in the county' except Quincy, which 
cut over 2,000,000 feet. The grist-mill given is the one 
operated by steam at Bronson village. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first permanent settlement within the limits of the 
county of Branch was made in 1828, in Bronson township, 
by the man whose name it bears, — Jabe Bronson. More 
extended notice of him will be given in auother place. The 
beauty of Bronson Prairie, and its advantages for a village 
site, together with the fixct that it was located on the route 
of the Chicago road, made it a desirable place at which to 
locate, and although the surrounding region began soon to 
fill up, it was not until after many had located at the Prairie 
or other places along the road. Coldwater was the next 
township to attract attention, but Bronson was for some 
time the place of most importance in the county, and from 
it were chosen many of the first count}' officers, its settlers 
being generally men of marked ability. 

The following " Historical Sketches of Branch County" 
were prepared by Hon. Wales Adams, and inserted in a 
directory of Branch (bounty published in 1871 : 

" About the middle of September, in the year 1830, two 
young men, travelers, who had experienced varied adversities 
in the Ea.stern States, halted for the night at the door of a 
log house situated two miles east of where the city of 
Coldwater now stands. The house was occupied by A. F. 
Boulton and John JIor.se, and stipplied with everything 
comfortable for- the accommodation of man or beast. A 
lodge of several hundred Pottawattamie Indians was en- 
camped about one and a half miles in a northwest direc- 
tion, to which place the travelers, who had stopped for the 
night, repaired. The Indians occupied their time in smok- 
ing, dancing, and speech-making alternately. They were 
discussing the subject of their removal beyond the Missis- 
sippi. The earnest appeals of several young orators to 
their superiors to resist the aggressions of the United 
States Government were strikingly beautiful. It was a 
lovely evening ; the moon shed a pale and melancholy light 
upon the wild and picturesque landscape. The occasional 

« (Jnc mill not reported. 

28 



yelpings of the Indians, their guttural chantings, the mo- 
notonous roll of the ilrum, and the rattling of bones rever- 
berating through the forest, added enchantment to the 
scene. At this time not more than 10 or 12 families lived 
in the county of Branch. There was not a stream bridged 
west of the village of Clinton. A solitary log house stood 
a short distance east of where the city of Coldwater now 
stands, and was occupied by Mr. Bonner, a Wel.shman. 
Mr. Bonner first settled in the town of Batavia, on the 
bank of Four-Mile Creek, a few miles below where Mr. 
Shinnanion now lives. Capt. Kirk, a millwright, from the 
State of Maryland, lived with his family in an evacuated 
trading-house on the west bank of Coldwater River. He 
was a first-class mechanic, a man with fine prci]iuitions, with 
a cuhivated intellect. Unlurtnnately, Cajit. Kirk had be- 
come accu.stomed to the habit of tippling, and before the 
close of the succeeding October he died with the ileliiiiini 
tremens. His bones now rest on the west bank of the 
river. Mr. Toole, a gentlemanly young man from the 
State of Virginia, was then eng.tged in building a saw-mill 
on a site now called Black Hawk. He had brought a few 
hundred dollars with him, purchased 80 acres of land, but 
before the mill was completed his money was exhausted. 
He became disheartened and abruptly left the Territory, 
and never again returned to claim any jwrtion ol' his 
property. 

" At this date there were families living on Bronson 
Prairie, to wit: Seth Dunham, supervisor of the town of 
Green;* Jabe Bronson, justice of the peace; John J. 
Richardson, constable and collector ; Samuel Smith, Jere- 
miah Tillotson, and Samuel Ilazlet. A Mr. Snow boarded 
with Mr. TilloLson, and was cultivating a patch of corn and 
potatoes without a fence about, three miles east of Bronson, 
at a place now called ' Snow Prairie.'f . . . 

" The following morning the travelers above mentioned 
proceeded on their journey. They were in search of some 
quiet nook or dell, where they hoped to pa-ss the balance of 
their days in peace, away from bustle and strife. Their 
natures were the same, and their appearance so similar that 
one was often mistaken for the other. They had been reared 
from infancy without the softening influences of j)arental 
care. They were orphans. They had become familiar with 
the cold gaze of the world, and had no desire to mingle 
with it again. They traveled through the countie.s of St. 
Joseph and Kalamazoo, and saw many beautiful and unoc- 
cupied locations ; but unaccustomed to agricultural pursuits 
and country life, they knew not in what business to engage. 
After much reflection they concluded to retrace their steps. 
Accordingl}-, about the 1st of October, they left Prairie 
Ronde in the morning, followed the trail through Nottawa, 
and reached the Chicago trail about an hour after sunset, 
five miles west of Bronson Prairie, and near where the 
Chietigo road now crosses Hog Creek. The road to Bron- 
son was circuitous and diflicult to follow ; the moon shed a 
pale and mellow light through a haz}' atmosphere, but the 
dense forest and thick foliage along their pathway hid the 
light from their view. Tiiey groped their course along the 

* The township of Green included the entire county, 
f Hero Mr. .-\dams gives a description of Mr. Snow, who made the 
the first improvemeuts in Bethel township. 



218 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



gloomy way ; no noise was liciu-J except the occasional 
shrieking of the owl or the hellish yelping of the wolves. 
They had not proceeded far before they were aroused from 
their reveries by the tinkling of a cow-bell. They knew 
from experience that au emigrant family had encamped not 
far distant ; directly they saw a bright light gleaming 
through the interstices of the forest-trees ; they approached 
cautiously within a few rods of the encampment in order 
to take a view of the arrangement. The trunk of a large 
dry ash was well on fire ; the blaze and smoke ascended to 
luid-heaven, which contrasted beautifully with the surround- 
ing forest. Two men in red shirts were seated at a respect- 
ful distance from the blazing mass, earnestly engaged in 
conversation. One of them was a tall, lank, lantern-jawed 
man, apparently twenty-five or thirty years of age. The 
other was of common size, with a sedate and interesting 
countenance, a few years the senior of the first. A large 
mastiff lay growling in the rear. Two females also occa- 
sionally appeared from behind a blanket, which was sus- 
pended upon two poles. The older, about twenty-five years 
of age, appeared to be a good, solid, serviceable woman, 
dressed in linsey-woohci/. The other was about eighteen 
years of age, and was the exact opposite of the first. Her 
model figure was robed in the most approved style ; the 
graceful and majestic ease with which she swept along 
among the foliage, the witching smile which played around 
her lovely lips, the flushed and dimpled cheeks, the lustrous 
eye, the profusion of jetty locks which swept her well- 
developed bust, gave to her, amid the wildness and beauty 
of the scene, an exceedingly interesting appearance. The 
artist could not have imagined a more lovely view for his 
pencil. The two travelers, although they were nearly ex- 
hausted with fiitigue and weak for the want of proper 
nourishment, gazed from their place of concealment upon 
the interesting group before them with wonder and admira- 
tion. 

" They did not remain in that situation long, but emerged 
from the brush, approached the emigrants, and asked to be 
supplied with refreshments and for permission to remain 
by their fire till morning. The men looked upon the trav- 
elers with unconcealed suspicion. The dense forest in 
which they were located, the gloom of the night, and the 
distance from habitation, all went to confirm their fears 
that banditti were lurkiug around. After a long consulta- 
tion with the women, it was decided that the ref|uest should 
be complied with, and soon a panful of well-dressed squir- 
rels was in condition to .satisfy and refresh the travelers. 
Confidence was restored, the parties became social, and 
their intentions were made known. The names of the trav- 
elers mentioned at the commencement of this article were 
Willard Pierce and Wales Adams. They came direct to 
Michigan from New York City, where they had lived 
several years. The names of the emigrant party were 
llesin Holmes and Thomas Holmes. They were from 
Marion Co., Ohio. 

" The next morning the parties examined the surround- 
ing country, and before night it was stipulated that Pierce 
and Adams should build a saw-mill where the Chicago 
trail at that time crossed Hog Creek, and that the Holmses 
should settle in the immediate vicinity. Accordingly, in 



the course of a few days, Pierce went on foot to Monroe, 
where the land-office was then located, entered the land, 
returned by the way of Detroit, purchased the mill-irons, 
and shipped them around the lakes to the mouth of the St. 
Joseph Ixiver, and from thence up the river to Mottville. 
The following July the mill was in operation. Mr. Pierce 
became dissatisfied with the country and with the business 
of making lumber, sold his interest in the saw-mill to Wil- 
liam A. Kent, and returned East. Mr. Pierce, in his de- 
portment, was gentlemanly and dignified. He was a first- 
class machinist, had been employed in some of the best 
manufiicturing establishments in New England, and was 
capable of superintending the construction of the most com- 
plicated machinery. As a draughtsman he could not be 
excelled. He had not been long East before he was em- 
ployed by a company of rich Quakers, who were engaged 
extensively in building cotton machinery, at Cumberland, 
R. I. They soon appreciated his services, and gave him 
unlimited control of their Establishment, and also a large 
interest in their profits. 

" In the course of two years Mr. Pierce married an ac- 
complished and lovely daughter of one of the Quakers, and 
at once embraced their unostentatious form of worship. 
In the year 1840 he retired from business rich, and the 
same year came to Michigan with his wife, to show her 
where he had sufi'ered the inconveniences of frontier life, 
and to induce Adams to return East and occupy the posi- 
tion in business he had left. Since that time he has not 
been engaged in any kind of business, except as director 
of the Pawtucket Bank. . . . There are now not more 
than four men living within the bounds of the county who 
recollect him as a citizen. All others who knew him here 
have emigrated, or their bones are now mingling with 
mother earth. The names of those four men are Harvey 
Warner, Allen Tibbets, J. B. Tompkins, and Wales Adams. 
Resin Holmes the following spring sold the land he had 
entered, to Enos Gragg, and emigrated to Kalamazoo County. 

'' The first inhabitants of every new country are generally 
composed of every variety of character, from those who have 
moved in the most refined society to those who have never 
moved in any. The latter are well adapted to the enjoy- 
ment of a forest life ; they have no wants except such as 
are within their grasp, and seldom any aspirations except 
such as are connected with the chase. They are bold, gene- 
rous, and sympathetic. Although they will avail themselves 
of the opportunity to make an honest penny out of a traveler, 
they will not turn from their doors those who are destitute. 
They look with unutterable contempt upon those who assume 
consequential airs, unless they are fully satisfied that they 
are abundantly supplied with pecuniary means. The real 
pioneers have received but little, and perhaps no hook edu- 
cation, but their conversational powers are often good. They 
cultivate from infancy a propensity to relate long, prosy, 
egotistical yarns, and whatever may be the character or 
taste of their auditory, they will not willingly submit to in- 
attention during the rehearsal. The natures of the females 
are similar to those of the men ; they are generally coarse 
and masculine in their appearance, but, nevertheless, are 
exceedingly prolific, and produce a vigorous progeny. The 
loud, sharp voices of many of them contrast horribly with 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



219 



the soft, musical accents of city and village bred females. 
But they have irood luiiiis; they know nothing about dys- 
pepsia nor iieiiral^'ia, nor any of the fashionable and liigh- 
sounding diseases which now prevail in high life. Many of 
them are industrious and frugul, but tlie large families by 
which they arc surrounded occupy their whole attention and 
prevent thoni from cultivating a desire for dress and adorn- 
ment. 

" The writer was acquainted with a pioneer woman who 
lived in Branch County in tlie year 1S;50. She was born 
and raised in the woods in the State of Ohio. She knew 
nothing about society. She cared but little about the color 
or cut of her dress, whether it was long or short waisted, 
high or low neck ; whether it was drawn snug around her 
person so as to expose her real form like a squaw's petti- 
coat, or hung with a graceful and lovely swell ; whether it 
concealed or exposed her extremities ; whether her feet 
were bare or shod. But she had an unconquerable desire 
to be the possessor of a clean, white cap, peculiarly con- 
structed ; none of the closc-fitling, comely c;ips which so 
often adorn the heads of females in fashionable life would 
answer, but the crown of hers must be of gigantic dimen- 
sions, which would sweep, as .she walked, the beams of her 
log house, and when she had her cap I'airly adjusted and 
placed upon her head, she as.sumed airs which no j)rudo of 
the present day could imitate. She had no objection to 
boys receiving some education, — it would not be improper 
for them to read and write, — but no pedagogue should fret 
the heads of her girls with books ; they had enough else to 
attend to. 

" As soon as the country begins to fill up and organiza- 
tion takes place the pioneei' becomes restless. There is no 
range for his cattle and hogs ; he suffers severely from the 
restraints and annoyances of .society ; the itinerant promul- 
gator of Divine laws, with his black coat and elongated 
countenance, designates a place for meeting ; the tax- 
gatherer haunts his house ; a disciple of Galen appears in 
the neighborhood with his stove-pipe hat, capacious pill- 
bags and fiddle-back pony ; tlie peddler, with his tin truidcs 
filled with nostrums and tape, solicits patronage; the petti- 
fogger, with his head tilled with quotations from Blackstone, 
is clamorous for a client. The pioneer will stand it no 
longer, his peace is at an end ; he sells at the first opportu- 
nity, and departs for a Wastern Territory. 

" Tlie county of Branch was organized into a township by 
the name of Green, in the year 1829, and was attached to 
St. Joseph County for judicial ]iurposes. The county-seat 
was located at White Pigeon, where all legal business was 
transacted for the two counties. The law made it obligatory 
upon the Territorial Governor to appoint justices of the peace. 
Jabe Bronson received the appointment from Governor 
Cass, and was consequently the first judicial officer in Branch 
County. E.s(juire Bronson located in the county of Branch, 
on the prairie bearing his name, in the year 1828. The 
thin, gray locks which hung in disorder over his .shoulders, 
his furrowed cheeks and dimmed eyes, furni.shcd unmistak- 
able evidence that he had seen at least iialf a century. He 
was small in stature, and walked with a firm and measured 
step. He was unostentatious in his bearing, and possessed 
no prominent traits of character. In firmness he was wo- 



fully deficient, but, like many great men of a more modern 
date, ' he watched the breeze and set his sails accordingly.' 
Ksquire Bron.son was born in the State of Connecticut, 
and had received a very limited education. lie learned 
the trade of a ship-carpenter, and followed it for nearly a 
quarter of a century. He had been employed several years 
in some of the best ship-yards in New York, and had helped 
caulk and repair many an old hulk in the dry-dock. Situ- 
ated as he was, he permitted the fire of his youth to ooze 
out without joining in wedlock. At length he commenced 
rambling, and in the course of time reached Canada, where 
he met a buxom and wholesome-looking widow who had 
four children with her, and he soon contracted a perma- 
nent matrimonial engagement. They turned their faces 
West, lived several yearein Brownstown, in the Territory of 
Michigan, and finally landed in Branch County. Esquire 
Bronson was not .studious. He seldom opened the lids of 
his Territorial Statute, unless his attention was directed to 
some particular section or act. He presumed that he should 
not have been appointed to a responsible situation had he 
not been fully fitted by nature to discharge the duties of 
his oflSce. He relied more upon his judgment and sur- 
rounding circumstances than upon written law ; con.se- 
i|ucntly, in the course of his official acts, he committed 
many amusing blundere. 

" The early settlers of Branch County were fond of liti- 
gation. They would not submit to the slightest real or 
fancied wrong without appeal to a legal tribunal. Indeed, 
justices' courts in a new country are manifestly indispens- 
able. They operate as theatres, or places of amusement. 
No class of people, whether savage or civilized. Christian 
or Pa"-an, can live contented without excitement, and the 
man who has lost all relish for amusements and exciting 
scones becomes indifferent to the cares of life and waits 
impatiently 

"' Until just death, kiml umpire of men's miseries, 
With sweet enlargement duth dismiss him." 

" The justices, litigants, pettifoggers, and jurors were the 
actors. The pettifoggers personated the tragedian and 
comedian in the same play, and often performed their parts 
admirably well, amid tumultuous applause. Justices' courts, 
therefore, were formerly places of resort for all classes of 
people. The clamor of one suit scarcely died away before 
another was commenced more interesting than the former, 
which had the happy effect of keeping the inhabitants in a 
constant state of excitement, thereby rendering them con- 
tented, however straitened may have been their pecuniary 
condition. In a community where there were a score or 
more of male adults, generally two or three of their number 
assumed to be advocates. Although at that time they knew 
little about law or common sense, yet they had learned sev- 
eral law terms, which they used with fluency on all occa- 
sions, whether they were adapted to the points at issue or 
not. The incomprehensible language and ostentatious man- 
ner in which they were quoted had a tremendous and tell- 
ing effect ujion the court and audience. 

"The Territorial law of Michigan would not permit a 
tavern-keeper to hold the office of justice of the peace, nor 
would it allow a justice to hold his court in a bar-room. 



220 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



But justices of the peace found little or no difficulty in 
evading this law when occasion required. 'Squire Bronson 
was manifestly a tavern-keeper, a justice of the peace, a 
postmaster, and he invariably held his court in a bar-room ; 
but never, according to his construction, in the slightest 
degree violated the law. Abiel Potter, who lived with 
Bronson and was his step-son, claimed to be landlord. 
When the time arrived for a suit to commence, the bottles, 
glasses, and toddy-sticks were removed from the bar to the 
kitchen, and when all was clear Bronson would exclaim, in 
a loud and distinct voice, ' Abiel Potter, is this a bar-room 
we now occupy ?' Abiel Potter answered, unequivocally, 
' No, sir; it is not.' Bronson would then call the suit and 
proceed to trial. When the court adjourned the bottles 
were replaced, and the hall of justice was instanter con- 
verted into a bar-room. Justices' courts were held in 
Bronson Prairie more than a year anterior to any other 
place in Branch County, and they were rigorously con- 
tinued. Consequently the inhabitants of that vicinity, in 
the course of time, became familiar with all the nice in- 
tricacies of law. Bronson's Prairie, for more than a dozen 
years after the days of 'Squire Bronson, was emphatically 
the law focus for the county of Branch, during which time 
several men of acknowledged genius had made the practice 
of law in justices' courts their principal business, and had 
become notorious advocates. Their fame extended beyond 
the precincts of Branch County. They relied, however, more 
upon innate knowledge of the fundamental principles of 
law and common justice than upon laborious research in 
voluminous and antiquated books. Many of the sharpest 
lawyers in Coldwater, who plumed themselves upon their 
pre-eminent sagacity and depth of legal knowledge, occasion- 
ally attended the Bronson sessions. They went full of 
assurance ; returned humiliated and crestfallen. They could 
not successfully face a Bronson Cicero. Every point they 
attempted to make was met with logic and unanswerable 
arguments, condensed and beautiful, and unless pecuniary 
considerations had a controlling influence, scarcely a lawyer 
in Coldwater could be found who had the audacity to hazard 
a second effort. The law focus was finally removed to 
Quincy, where the sessions have been kept up with tolerable 
zeal." 

When Mr. Bronson came to the Prairie he built a good- 
sized log house, and in it kept tavern. Jeremiah Tillotson 
followed the same business, as, in fact, did nearly every 
man who located here, — not from choice alone, but from 
necessity. 

An amusing anecdote is related of 'Squire Bronson, 
which occurred during his residence and official term here. 
He was at one time called upon to marry a man named 
Hunt and the widow of Moses Allen, of Allen's Prairie, 
and, proceeding the twenty miles to that place, performed 
the ceremony to the satisfaction of all concerned. In the 
mean time. Esquire Benaiah Jones, of Jouesville, heard of 
the aifair, and it caused him much uneasiness and excited 
him not a little. Mounting his Indian pony, he rode over 
to see about it. The newly-married couple had retired 
when he arrived, and he found Bronson sitting by the fire 
drinking hot punch and making himself generally comfort- 
able. He burst forth excitedly in speech with " Bronson, 



what have you been about? You are out of your juris- 
diction ; this is Lenawee County ! I am the magistrate. 
Mrs. Allen is not legally married, and I will contest it I" 

The anxious bride overheard Jones' remarks, and soon 
made her appearance en desltnhiUe in the bar-room, crying, 
" O dear ! 'S(|uiro Jones, what shall I do ? My reputa- 
tion is ruined ! Can it be possible that I ain't legally 
married ?" 

Jones pacified her, however, by replying, " Never mind, 
Mrs. Allen ; just stand up here, and for ten dollars I will 
marry you over again and make it all right." 

By this time Hunt appeared on the scene; the pair stood 
up, and Jones soon performed the ceremony, pocketed his 
fee, took a " nip" of " something warming," and departed 
with satisfaction beaming in his countenance. The repu- 
tation of the widow was preserved, her lord was twenty 
dollars out of pocket, and two worthy magistrates were 
made happy by the acquisition of fees and the draught of 
hot punch. 

The heroine of that occasion — whose first husband, 
Moses Allen, had been one of the surveying party which 
traced the route of the Chicago road, and afterwards (in 
1827) became the first settler in Hillsdale County, lo- 
cating on the prairie which Vjcars his name — was, at the 
date of the latest information, — January, 1870, — living on 
her husband's old farm near Brownstown, below Detroit, 
aged over ninety years. 

" Dr. Alvah Randall, the first physician in the town- 
ship, came to Bronson in 1835. He was a graduate of 
Castleton, Vt., College, from which State he came to Bron- 
son. He was a fine scholar in general matters, especially 
history. Ho had a retentive memory, and read history 
from boyhood up. He died in the year 1851, at the age 
of fifty-one. He was a very ardent Methodist, and one of 
the most straightforward and conscientious men that could 
be found. He was a man of strong physical constitution, 
and really died from overwork. His ride was immense, 
there being no other physician within ten miles of Bron- 
son either way. 

" There was a great amount of sickness in those early days, 
— ague, fevers, etc., — and the care of patients, combined 
with the responsibility of having the charge of the clear- 
ing up of a large farm, undermined his constitution at that 
early age. He belonged to a long-lived race, his mother 
living to the age of eighty-seven. His wife still survives 
him, having reached the advanced age of seventy-six years. 
He was the father of Hon. C. D. Randall, who was only 
four years of age when they moved to Bronson. 

" He was always identified with the old Whig party, and 
was once a candidate for the Legislature on their ticket. 
His farm was just east of Bronson village, where Stephen 
Reed and some other parties now live. The old house in 
which they lived in that early day is still standing."* 

Michael Smith, from the State of New York, settled on 
the farm where he now. lives, in 1835. 

Hon. Wales Adams, one of the wheel-horses of the 
Branch County Democracy, served twenty years as super- 
visor of Bronson, took the census of ten townships in 18G0, 



* Sketch in Gnldwattr Ilepttbtican, 



TIISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICniGAN. 



221 



was county treasurer one term, represented his district in 
the Legislature two terms, ami was a member of tlio Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1850. Ilo is elsewhere mentioned 
as holdins; tlie olliee of ensign in tlie eon)])any wliicii was 
raised in tliis town for tlie famous Black Hawk war. Of 
this company Soth Dunliam was captain and Jeremiah Til- 
lot.son lieutenant. 

Levi Calhoun settled in Bronson in 1S:>T, and in 1840-41 
worked in a saw-iuill at Coldwater, which stood on the 
present site of Coombs' gristmill. Upon his fiirm in 
Bron.son have been disinterred the remains of five persons 
of gigantic stature, undoubtedly belonging to that almost 
mythical race called " prehistoric," whose niounds and 
occasional fortifications arc found in this interesting region. 

Nelson Bu-ssell settled in the township in 1S:5G, when 
Indians were yet numerous, locating on his present farm. 

Knos Gregg was one of the earliest settlers of Bronson 
township, coming in 1832. The family was accustomed to 
trade with the Indians for venison, sugar, and buckskin. 
Mr. Gregg died in 1850, aged si.\ty-eight years. His sons 
James and Charles still reside in the township. 

David Taggart and Jonathan Holmes passed through 
some exciting experiences during their first year in Bronson. 
On one occasion they were returning from the village with 
a quarter of beef on a pole, and a noisy pack of wolves 
kept up a none too melodious serenade, while the feet of 
the men beat (piick time to the music until they had 
reached hnme. 

Kphraim Lindley has lived in the county since 183G. 
His father was one of the pioneers of Matteson township, 
and cut the road leading north from Bronson village to 
Swan Creek, — two and one-half miles. Mr. Lindley moved 
into Bronson township in 1SG5. Before Holmes' grist-mill 
was built, milling was done at Three Rivers. 

J. E. Pulnian came to the township with his father in 
June, 1842, and even at that day deer and wolves were 
exceedingly ])lenty. J. H. Green came with his father in 
1843, and .settled where he at present resides. His father 
built a saw-mill, but died before the farm was cleared. 

D. J. Spragne arrived with his family in 1843. They 
were accompanied by three other families, and for some 
time all suffered severely from sickness, several dying. Mr. 
Sprague and his brother-in-law were kept busy making 
coffins and burying the dead. Mr. Spraguc's wife died in 
1848. 

D. S. Lockwood, now of Bronson, settled in Ovid in 
1836, and removed to this township in 1874. 

Lsaac Holbrook moved to Bronson in 1833, and settled 
in the heavy timber two miles from any human habitation. 
His first house was a temporary log hut covered with bark, 
and but little better than no shelter at all. He cleared 300 
acres of land. 

Jonathan Hurch first settled in Sherwood in 1835, and 
at the time the Indians were removed (1810) he went 
with them as far as 8turgis, St. Joseph Co. Mr. Burch is 
now a resident of Bronson. 

Stephen Reed, living on a part of the old farm of Dr. 
Randall, .settled with his father in Bethel town.ship in 1838. 
Mr. Reed's present residence was built by Hon. C. D. Ran- 
dall, and, as a remarkable circumstance, was rai.sed without 



the aid of whisky, to the chagrin of the topers and the 
triumph of the temperance men who aided in the work. 
It had been said that his timber would lie and rot before it 
would be raised, unless whisky was plenty, but the result 
proved the contrary. Mr. Reed helped raise the frame. 

Jlorgan Thompson settled in Bronson in 1834, and, in 
common with many others, suffered privations of serious 
nature. One winter he was forced to cut the dry marsh- 
grass over the top of the ice, in order to obtain fodder for 
his stock ; and his wife lived three days on water-gruel on 
one occasion, while he was away hunting employment. Her 
four small children were taken as good care of as possible 
at the time, the mother depriving herself that they might 
not suffer. 

Daniel Tice settled with his paretits at Fawn River in 
1843, and is now living in Bron.son. His wife is a daughter 
of Morgan Thompson, now of Nebraska. 

Asa Jlilliman .settled in the southwest part of the town- 
ship in 1835, purchasing his land of a Mr. Stewart. He 
was accompanied by his wife and one child. He paid twelve 
dollars for the first barrel of flour which ho bought, and the 
first wheat he sold brought him but thirty-seven and a lialf 
cents per bushel. 

Hon. Wales Adams is now the oldest living settler of 
Branch County, and is a native of Jledway, Norfolk Co., 
Mass. In 1828, when twenty- four years of ago, he went to 
the city of New York, where he remained two years. On 
the second day of September, 1830, he left New York, and 
arrived in what is now Bronson the same month. He and 
his partner, Willard Pierce, came together and entered the 
west-half of the northwest quarter of .section 29, upon which 
their saw-mill was built. This saw-mill was the second one 
in the county (the first being at " Black Hawk," or Branch, 
west of Coldwater), and did quite an extensive business 
for some years, but was finally abandoned on account of the 
overflow caused by the dam. Nothing now remains of it, 
but a portion of the old dam is j'et to be seen. 

William A. Kent, who purchased the interest of Pierce 
in the sawmill, came here in the spring of 1831, with Mr. 
Adams, who had been East at that time on business. 

Alfred L. Driggs, from the State of New York, came to 
Michigan at an early day, and in the winter of 1831-32 
made his appearance at Mr. Adams', and was hired as a 
sawyer, and commenced work in the mill. He was a man 
of much energy, but possessed no means with which to 
enter into business of any nature. He finally conceived 
the idea of building a saw-mill, and was aided in his plans 
by Mr. Adams, who signed a note with him in order that 
he might procure mill-irons at Detroit. They were shipped 
around the lakes to the mouth of St. Joseph River ; thence 
boated up to Motlville, from which place Mr. Adams brought 
them up for him with a yoke of oxen. Driggs built the 
frame of his mill on Swan Creek, where Holmes' mill now 
stands, and went to White Pigeon for nails to be u.sed in 
roofing. The merchants at that place refused to tru.st him, 
and in high dudgeon he walked back, bored holes in the 
timbers, and fastened the roof on with wooden pins. He 
was chosen justice of the peace for the township of Prairie 
River, -and afterwards represented his district once or twice 
in the Legislature. He finally sold his mill to Jonathan 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Holmes, and removed to Constantiiie, St. Joseph Co., where 
he now resides. 

The following, from the county records, explains itself: 

"Territouy of Michigan, ) 
Coii.VTV OP Branch. f *"' 
"I do hereby certify that on the 12th day of August, 183.% Wales 
Adams and Polly Waterman, both of Branch County, Prairie Kiver 
township, came before me, Alfred L. Driggs, one of the justices of 
the peace in and for the county of Branch, and were lawfully joined 
in marriage. 

" Alfukd L. Driggs." 

This was the first marriage which occurred in the town- 
ship, and is the first recorded in the county. The next in 
l^raiiie River was that of Ahiel Potter and Clari.ssa J. 
Booth, July 3, 1834. Joseph D. Fields and Eliza Streeter 
were married July 31, 1834. 

In the fall of 1831 a man named Judson arrived in 
the township with his family, and was finally engaged 
by Wales Adams. Before leaving the State of New York 
he had been employed as teacher and clerk, and was pos- 
sessed of a good education, but no means. He came into 
Bronson with one horse, his wife, and several children. He 
boarded Messrs. Adan)s and Pierce and the men employed 
by them around the saw-mill During the memorable 
" Black Hawk war," in 1832, he enlisted as a volunteer, 
and soon after was taken sick with the cholera and died. 
He was buried in the woods close by his home, and as no 
stone was ever erected at his grave its location is at present 
an uncertainty. 

Wales Adams, who received in the spring of 1831 the 
appointment of ensign in the Bronson militia, — the officers 
of which were appointed by Governor Ca.ss, — was too sick 
to go with his company when the Black Hawk war broke 
out. He had then lived hero a year and a half, and was 
utterly prostrated with the ague. He thought when he 
first came and worked in water up to his waist, helping 
build the dam and doing other necessary work around the 
mill, that the ordeal was too severe for him to survive ; but 
he was fortunate enough to bear up safely under it, and 
now, at the age seventy-five years, can look back upon the 
experiences of his younger days and wonder that he had a 
sufficiently strong constitution to weather the necessary 
hardships of a pioneer life. 

In the spring of 1832, Bishop Chase, of Oliio, in com- 
pany with Mr. Wells, an exteiLsive manufacturer of the 
same State, and father of Hon. Hezekiah G. Wells, then 
of Prairie Ronde, called one Saturday at the house of Mr. 
Adams, and stayed over Sunday. On the morning of the 
following Monday the three, together with Tom Holmes, 
started on a journey into what is now the township of 
Gilead. The bishop was in search for land, and finally 
selected a section in that town, entered it at the land-office 
at White Pigeon, built a log cabin upon it, contracted for 
having 80 acres broken, and moved upon it with his family 
in the fall. To Bishop Chase does Gilead owe its name 
al.so, as will be seen by reference to the history of that 
township. 

The first white child born in Bronson was one in the 
family of John G. Richardson, some time in the year 1829. 
Mr. Richardson was the first collector for the township of 
Prairie River, in 1832. 



A man named Crawford squatted early on the ])lacc 
where James Euggles now lives, and one of his cliildren 
was the first white person who died in the town.ship ; this 
was previous to 1830. 

On the 8th of June, 1836, the property of Alfred L. 
Driggs, including the saw-mill and 400 acres of land, was 
purchased by Jonathan and Samuel Holmes, from Peter- 
borough, N. II. The elder brother (Samuel) never settled 
here, but Jonathan returned for his family and brought 
them back with him, arriving at the new home Sept. 19, 
1837. David Taggart had been left in charge of tiie mill 
during Mr. Holmes' absence, and had come here in June, 
183C, from Dublin, N. H. His wife, who came with him, 
was a sister of Jonathan Holmes. He is now living south 
of Mr. Holmes' place, on the Chicago road. 

In the fall of 1837 timbers for a grist-mill were made 
ready, and a raceway commenced, but .sicknc.'^s in the 
family necessitated the abandonment of the work until the 
next year. The raceway was finally finished, and in the 
month of Augu.st, 1838, the frame of the mill was rai.scd. 
Two runs of stone were set in place, and in 1839 it was 
ready for u.se. It was extensively patronized, as there was 
no other custom-mill for many miles. People came from 
near Coldwater, and from all the surrounding towns, to get 
their grinding done, and the mill proved profitable. After 
being run about thirty years the machinery was taken out 
and the gristmill was transformed into a planing and turn- 
ing-mill and chair-factory. At the present time it is not 
in use for any manufacturing purposes. The saw-mill now 
standing is the third one on the ground, the original struc- 
ture and one other having been worn out by much use. 
The present mill cuts an annual average of 300,000 feet, 
manufacturing oak, whitewood, ash, black walnut, maple, 
beech, and lynn (basswood) lumber, of which the greater 
part is of whitewood. A very heavy growth of timber 
extended through this portion of the township, and a large 
part of the trees consisted of whitewood (tulip) and black 
walnut. Heavy inroads have been made in the succeeding 
years, and although there is yet considerable left, the 
supply is limited. 

Mr. Holmes' brother, Samuel Holmes, was for some 
time interested in a machine-shop and cotton-factory at 
Springfield, Windsor Co., Vt., but subsequently returned 
to Peterborough, N. H., where he died. He left his son, 
David A. Holmes, in charge of his interest in the saw-mill 
property in Bronson upon his return to New England. 
Jonathan Holmes is yet living on the old place, and has 
been a man of much prominence in the township. When 
he came to the farm but 2 acres had been cleared upon it. 
The nearest neighbor on the north was Amos Slatteson, 
E]sq., on the west shore of Matteson Lake, in the township 
of the same name. Between him (Mr. Holmes) and Burr 
Oak not a house had been erected, and the forest was here 
in its virgin beauty. The nearest house south or south- 
west was that of Wales Adams, near the spot where the 
Chicago turnpike crossed Prairie River. 

The first persons to settle between Holmes' mill and 
ftlattcson Lake were Robert Smith and a man named Cor- 
nell, who located on the north line of the township about 
1837. Smith died many years ago, and his place is now 



;^'^y^^■'^!i!:imlmsmfs^ ' ^!^ ^^ mm^]M i^':'^'^' 




HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



223 



occup'uHl liy Cliristopher Sliaffuiaster. Cornell moved out 
of the township. Tlie fir.st to locato iiearci- tlie mill was 
Robert Thonipson, who :^ettU"(l three-fourths of a mile north 
about 1 844, ami afterward removed from the township. 

Considerable parties of Indians were wont to encamp on 
the banks of Swan Creek, near the mill, and hunt and fish 
for a number of days in the neighborhood. They were 
always peaceable and friendly, and upon their removal, in 
1840, were greatly missed by the settlers. 

Solomon Haight settled one and a half miles west of the 
villa^'e of Bronson in 1S42, and for several years owned 
part of the old French farm and hotel. 

William Lamoreux came to Detroit in 1828, and while a 
resident of that county (Wayne) was a portion of the time 
deputy-sheritt' and constable. He removed to Branch 
County in 1844. 

The records of Prairie River township, and those of 
Bronson up to 18(57, were destroyed by fire in the latter 
year when the store of Messrs. Powers & Gillam was burned. 
Gillam was at the time township clerk. It is therefore ini- 
jiossible to give a list of officers previous to this date, or any 
items of interest which would undoubtedly have been found 
in the early records could they have been preserved. The 
first supervisor of Prairie River township was Jeremiah 
Tillotson. The following are the principal officers of the 
township of Bronson from 1868 : 

Supervisor. — 1868-77, Christopher G. Babcock. 

Township C/cj/cs-.— 1868, R. Van Ness; 18G9, B. F. 
Trigg; 1870, no record; 1871-72, Lucieu J. Uriggs; 
1873-77, W. H. Compton. 

Justices of the Peace. — 18GS, II. Williams, lAI. Clark; 
1869, J. Holmes; 1870, no record; 1871, Smith Wood; 

1872, Wales Adams; 1873, Marshall Morrill; 1874, Jona- 
than Holmes; 1875, Smith WV)od, Henry Brooks; 1876, 
IM. I). Wolff, David Taggart; 1S77, David Taggart, C. L. 
Fitch. 

7V«/.s»rfrs.— 1868-69, Leonard D. Clark ; 1870, no 
record; 1871-74, Cyrus J. Keyes; 1875-77, Spencer E. 
Bennett. 

School /«.f;j<'c7ors.— -1868, John T. Holmes; 1869, B. 
P. Taggart; 1870, no record ; 1871, B. P. Taggart ; 1872, 
Xcnoplion Gilson ; 1873, John T. Holmes; 1874, Ben- 
jamin Taggart; 1875-77, John T. Holmes. 

Toiviiship Superintendents of Schools. — 1875-76, Ben- 
jamin P. Taggart; 1877, John Taggart. 

Commissioners of Ilighwaijs. — 1868, J. G. Sheffield, C. 
Hinebaugh; 1869, M. Bloss ; 1870, no record; 1871, 
Allen Turner, James G.Sheffield; 1872, Michael Bloss; 

1873, George Carpenter; 1874, Allen Turner; 1875, Al- 
bert Ilusiicll ; 1876, Amos J. Anderson ; 1877, same. 

Drain Commissioners. — 1872, Henry Brooks; 1873, 
Ciiristophcr G. Babcock; 1874-76, Allen Turner; 1877, 
Benjamin P. Taggart. 

Officers for 1878. — Supervisor, Christopher G. Bab- 
cock ; Town Clerk, W. H. Compton; Treitsurer, S. E. 
Bennett; Justice of the Peace, J. Kline; ComraLssioner 
of Highways, Henry Brown; Drain (Commissioner, Charles 
Moase; Superintemlent of Schools, J. Taggart; School 
Iiisjiector, C. A. Gay; Constables, 1). Hinebaugh, G. Ellis, 
William Ide, D. Post. ■ 



SCHOOLS. 

The first school in the town.ship, as well as in Branch 
County, or in the entire distance between Clinton and 
White Pigeon, was taught at Bronson Prairie in the win- 
ter of 1830-31, by Columbia Lancaster. It was supported 
by the six families then living at the Prairie, and some 15 
pupils attended,— among them three young lady daughters 
of Mrs. Bronson and Mr. Tillotson, and a son of Benaiah 
Jones, Esq., of Jonesville. The school was taught in a 
log tenement wiiich stood near the present residence of 
James Buggies. Mr. Lancaster was here three months, and 
officiated as pedagogue, lawyer, physician, and theologian. 
In 1830 he practiced law at White Pigeon, and in the fall 
of 1831 built the first log hou.^e at Centreville, St. Jo.sei)h 
Co. He afterwards became a prominent lawyer, and Presi- 
dent of the St. Joseph County Bank. In 1838 he was 
elected to the Legislature, and about 1840 sold out and 
started overland for Oregon Territory. While in the 
Rocky Mountains his child died, and the party of emi- 
grants with whom he was traveling deserted him, or left 
him to the tender mercy of the Indians. Very fortunately 
for him, they proved friendly, and aided him in returning 
to the settlements. Ho located for a time in Pennsylvania, 
but finally came back to Michigan, and about 1845 went 
through to Oregon, and .settled on the shore of the Colum- 
bia River. In 1856 be was a delegate in Congress from 
Oregon, and became prominently identified with the inter- 
ests of his adopted State. 

It is stated that the first summer .school on Bronson 
Prairie was taught by the wife of David Waterman. Her 
maiden name was Cynthia Lloyd. In September, 1836, 
her husband owned the first and only frame building which 
had been built at the Prairie up to that time. 

The present school district No. 4 was organized by 
Jonathan Holmes, in the fall of 1839, and a school Wiis 
taught the following winter by a Mr. Ward, who was from 
New Hampshire, and lived at Three Rivers, St. Joseph 
Co. He had previously taught in Canada. Miss Sarah 
Smith taught a school in the neighborhood during the 
summer and fall of 1839, in a frame .school-house on the 
Chicago road. This was the first .school building in the 
district, and was used until the increasing number of pupils 
demanded that a new and larger house should be erected. 
The site was changed, and the present school-house built 
on the cross-road, a short distiince northwest of the location 
of the old one. Both Mr. Ward and Miss Smith are 
remembered as having been excellent teachers for that day. 

The union school at Bronson village was organized 
about 1858, when a two-story frame school-house was 
erected. In 1878 a brick addition, also two stories high, 
was built in front of the old edifice, and cost about S350(l, 
making the total value of the building as it now stands 
some §4500. The eindllment of pupils in 1878 reached 
300, and in JIarch, 1879, was about 250. The school 
consists of four departments, — high school, grammar, inter- 
mediate, and primary. The teachers are J. P. Borton, 
Principal; Elizabeth McMann. Grammar Department; 
Louisa Lowell, Intermediate Department; Jlary Brown, 
Primary Department. Mr. Borton is now serving his 
second year as principal. 



224 



HISTOEY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Christopher G. Babcook, for twenty years a resident of the 
county, and a supervisor of Bronsun township since 1868, 
has been a member of the school board a number of years, 
and Jason Shepard, who has resided here since 1856, was 
also long a member. He retired in the fall of 1877. The 
present board consists of A. J. Anderson, Moderator ; Wil- 
liam H. Carpenter, Director; C. J. Keyes, Treasurer; and 
Christopher G. Babeock, Elijah Holbrook, and Henry 
Knott, other Trustees. 

VILLAGE OF BRON.SON. 

Jabe Bronson, the first settler in the township and 
county, has been mentioned; also Jeremiah Tillotson, one 
of the earlier arrivals here. Jolin G. lliehardsou and John 
Potter settled in 1830. 

Among those who came later and became prominently 
identified with the place were David and Alonzo Water- 
man, who settled in 1833, erected a building in one part of 
which they lived, and in the other established the first 
store of any kind at the Prairie. This was in the eastern 
part of what is now the village, and their father afterward 
kept a small grocery establishment still farther east. 

Conceiving the idea that a town must sooner or later 
spring up and flourish at this locality, the Watermans 
platted a village to which they gave the name of York ; 
the portion owned by David being situated on the south 
side of the Chicago road, and that of Alonzo on the north. 
This plat is the eastern portion of the present village of 
Bronson, and when property is transferred within its limits 
it is stated as being in the " old village of York." The 
Watermans finally disposed of their property here and re- 
moved to Coldwater. Alonzo sold to E. G. Bennett and 
David to other parties. The latter died at Coldwater some 
thirty years since, and Alonzo's death occurred at the same 
place in 1877. He had amassed considerable property. 

The place at Bronson now owned by Joseph E. Earl 
was the property of Mrs. Waterman, Sr., mother of David 
and Alonzo. 

Additions have been made to the village by E. G. Ben- 
nett, C. G. Eandall (now of Coldwater, and son of Dr. 
Alvah llandall), S. C. Ro.se, and Mrs. Holbrook. The 
name Bronson was adopted in honor of the pioneer of the 
place. 

Samuel Smith, a native of Acton, Mass., who settled at 
Bronson about 1829, and purchased a farm owned afterward 
for some years by Lorenzo Rose, and now by Mr. Randall 
Smith, was a cooper by trade, but worked at it little, 
if any, after coming here. He lived at Gross Isle, near 
Detroit, four years previous to his removal to the Prairie, 
and was there employed in making fish-barrels. The land 
he purchased on coming to Bronson is now within the cor- 
porate limits of the village. He subsequently traded it 
with S. C. Rose for a farm in Noble township, to which 
he removed and where he died. About 1837-38 he sold 
two acres of land at Bronson to E. L. Rose, who, in 1838, 
built upon it the present frame hotel, on the corner diagon- 
ally opposite the " brick block." Mr. Rose kept this hotel 
during his life, and after his death it was conducted for 
some time by his son, Lorenzo Rose. Joseph D. Field sold 
half an acre in addition to that purchased of Mr. Smith, 



making the hotel lot contain two and one-half acres. The 
present proprietor of the house is Mr. Hart. 

Smith's land all lay west of the north and south road 
extending through the village. His daughter, Mrs. Eliza 
Field, now living at the village, came here with two chil- 
dren, from Erie, Pa., in 1836.* Her husband, Valentine 
Streeter. had died with the cholera in 1832. After coming 
to Bronson she was married to Joseph D. Field, who died 
in April, 1850. He had come several years previous to 
1836, and aided in the construction of the Chicago turn- 
pike. He and his brother, Horace W. Field, came here 
together ; the latter then married, and is living at present iu 
Rockford, 111. Joseph D. Field was a blacksmith by trade, 
and had a shop on the turnpike two miles west of the vil- 
lage. He afterward moved into and kept the '■ old log 
tavern," a short distance east of the residence of Wales 
Adams. 

The P<dt(iwattamies used to camp in large bands along 
the northern edge of the prairie. They would go to Bron- 
son's tavern, which stood about opposite the present grist- 
mill, fill themselves with whisky, and then proceed to make 
night hideous with their demoniac yells and drunken orgies. 
They always walked into the settlers' houses without cere- 
mony, and stretched themselves by the fire without asking 
leave. Mr. Smith never objected to their entering his 
house at any time, but Mrs. Field never could repress a 
feeling of fear when they were present. They called Mr. 
Smith "good chemokaman" (good white man). 

James Ruggles, from near Toronto, Upper Canada, jirc- 
viously a resident of New York and Massachu.setts, came to 
Branch County in October, 1835, and bought land near the 
village of Branch, in Coldwater township. His wife had 
died in Canada before he left there. In 1836 he moved 
his mother to Michigan. His brother, Charles Ruggles, 
who had bought land in Michigan in 1834, settled in Steu- 
ben Co., Ind., in 1835. In 1836, James Ruggles pur- 
chased 1000 acres of land, principally from the govern- 
ment, and lying mostly in Steuben Co., Ind., with a small 
portion in La Grange. It included an Indian camping- 
ground in what is now Otsego township, Steuben Co. In 
the winter of 1836 he moved to Bronson, trading land 
in Indiana for a part of the present homestead, and pur- 
chasing the balance. In 1837 he built the frame house he 
now occupies, and kept tavern in it for sixteen years. A 
barn was built at the same time. The material was hauled 
from Detroit by a team of two yokes of oxen. All the 
hotels were full, so that Mr. Ruggles found it impossible to 
get accommodations, and was forced to camp out. Oats 
were then 22 shillings per bushel. The round trip occu- 
pied two weeks, including two days in Detroit. 

In 1811, Sir. Ruggles' parents were living on St. Joseph 
Island, sixty miles from Mackinaw, and during that year he 
was in Detroit and saw Governor Hull and his family. Al- 
though but a boy at the time, he remembers the incident 
well. He visited Putin-Bay Island, in Lake Erie, the 

® This date is given on Mrs. Field's authority. As she was mai-- 
ried to Mr. Field after coming here, and as the marriage record in 
the court-house at Coldwater gives the date of the marriage as July 
31, 1834, there is some discrepancy, which is left for the j)arties in- 
terested to unravel. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICAIGAN. 



225. 



same year, on the British brig "Caledonia." Mr. Kuggles' 
father was a native of Massachusetts. 

Klijali Hanks, from near Fainesville, 0., settled in the 
village in the .•i|irinic "f IS.ta, and hiiught out Jahe Hron- 
son, who removed in IS'Ml. Mr. Hunk.s' son, George W. 
Hanks, is at present living in the northern part of the place, 
near the railroad. 

E. L. Rose, from Pekin, in the town of Cambria, Niagara 
Co., N. Y., came to Bronson in the fall of 183G, and 
soon moved into the log hotel which had been vacated by 
Jabe Bronson, and wliich stood on the north side of Chicago 
Street, in the oa.stern part of the village. The first house 
they occupied on their arrival was one which was owned by 
Pavid and Alonzo Watorman. It liad been occupied a few 
days by the family of Jeremiah Tillotson,who routed it, but 
they moved to Batavia, and the Roses took possession of 
the house. They afterwards moved into a house which 
Elijah Hanks had purclia.sed of Bronson. Mr. Rose, in 
1838, as mentioned, built and occupied the hotel on the 
corner, wliich still bears his name. This was a " stage- 
house," and here the stages stopped to change horses and 
feed their teams, and business was quite extensive. 

Jabez Clark, originally from the State of Connecticut, 
and after ISIG a resident of the town of Norwalk, Huron 
Co., Ohio, came to Bronson in 1835, arriving on the 
evening of Christmas-day. He was acc(raipanied by his 
wife, two sons, and three daughters. The -sons were Milo 
(the elder then fourteen years of age) and Leonard, now 
both in business at Bronson. From their home in Ohio 
they came through in sleighs drawn by horses. In the 
summer of 183G the whole family, with the exception of 
Milo, was sick for nearly three months, the entire care de- 
volving upon him. Late in the fall of the same year, Mr. 
Clark, who had become somewhat discouraged on account 
of sickness and other causes, and whose means were limited, 
went back to Ohio with his family, and stayed one year, re- 
turning to Bronson in 1837. 

When he first came to the place (winter of 1835-36) 
he went into a hotel in the eastern part of the village, which 
had been built about 1834 by David Ilartsaw. After a 
short time he removed to another, which stood two and one- 
half miles east, near Swan Creek. The latter was built of 
hewed logs, and was not disposed of by Mr. Clark until 
after his return from Ohio. The hotel he had first occu- 
pied was a frame building, painted with Venetian red. The 
elder Clark died Feb. 14, 1851. 

When the Clarks came to Bronson village, it is said there 
were but eight houses in it, and these were occupied by 
David Waterman, Alonzo Waterman, E. L. Rose (?), John 
G. Richardson, David Lermont, Mr. Jones, Dr. Alvah Ran- 
dall, and Daniel Powers. Jabe Bronson had just moved 
away. 

Milo Clark and a Mr. Sellers were at one time out to- 
gether on a hunting expedition. They had become a .short 
distance .separated, and Mr. Clark suddenly heard a suspi- 
cious noise near him. He made ready to shoot, but could 
see nothing. A stick snapped, and on looking around he 
beheld a jianther slandiiig within eight rods ol' him Al- 
though an excellent shot he dared not risk firing, but walked 
along, keeping his eye on the animal, until he reached a 
29 



neighboring clearing, when the panther ran oflF into the 
forest, uttering angry screams. To say that Mr. Clark was 
frightened would undoubtedly bo " putting it mild." As 
for Sellers, his senses nearly left him in tolo, and he ran all 
the way to Holmes' mill and reported that a panther was 
after Mr. Clark, with what other stories is not known. It 
is very likely the latter gentleman did not wish a repetition 
of the experience. 

Both Mr. Clark and his brother are the proprietors of a 
successful business, — Milo dealing in hardware, drugs, etc., 
and Leonard in dry-goods. From the fact that ihcir father's 
means were very limited, they deserve great credit for achiev- 
ing so much success in the face of difficulty. Milo Clark 
has a very fine collection of .specimens of minerals, ancient 
stone and copper implements, etc., among them a stone 
pipe and a piece of copper from a mound on the farm of 
Noah Shaw, in Mattcson township, at the foot of the lake. 
The various stone axes, flint arrow-heads, etc., have been 
mostly gathered in the country immediately surrounding 
Bronson. 

On one occasion, while following the track of a deer, 
Joseph Hanks came upon the animal so suddenly that it 
jumped into a fallen tree-top in such a manner as to be 
unable to extricate itself Hanks .seized and attempted to 
hold the deer, and succeeded in doing so; but his victory 
was dearly bought, for the alarmed and infuriated animal 
used its feet to so good advantage that it kicked Mr. 
Hanks' clothe.s clean from his body, leaving nothing but 
his boots aud shirt-bands. 

Daniel Powers, from Otselic, Chenango Co., N. Y., came 
to Bronson in the summer (probably) of 1835, and for a 
time lived in a log house owned by Samuel Smith, which 
stood where George Ellis' frame residence now is. After 
four or five weeks he purchased the farm east of the village 
now owned by Lewis Karl, and moved upon it. He had 
started from home with the intention of locating in the 
State of Illinois, but on arriving at Bronson was forced to 
stop on account of sickness in the family, and finally con- 
cluded to settle here. His wife and three children — two 
sons and one daughter — were with him. The sons (Charles 
and Henry) arc now in the mercantile business at Bronson, 
and the daughter is Mrs. George F. Gillam, of Lansing. 

Dr. Alvah Randall, who was also intending to settle in 
Illinois, had shipped his goods to Chicago, and on his way 
overland stopped at Bronson to rest. Finding it a good 
point for a physician he determined to locate here, and 
hired Mr. Powers to go to Chicago and bring back his 
goods, which was done. The widow of Dr. Randall is now 
residing at Coldwater, and their son, C. D. Randall, is a 
prominent banker of the same place. The doctor enjoyed 
a very extensive practice throughout this portion of the 
State, and is remembered gratefully by those who rcijuired 
and received his services, and with great respect by all who 
had the honor of his acr|uaintanee. 

In the winter of I8GG-G7 Henry Powers entered into 
business at Bronson with George Gillam. Their store was 
burned Jan. 9, 1807, and after this disaster the firm re- 
moved to another building. Subse(|uontly Mr. Powers 
purchased Gillam's interest, conducted the business alone 
for one year, and then admitted Jo.seph Kean as partner. 



226 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Mr. Powers' brollier, Charles Powers, who had been serving 
as sheriff of the county, at the expiration of his term pur- 
chased Kean's interest, since which time the firm has been 
known under the name of C. & H. Powers. 

Samuel Keyes, from Rutland County, Vt., came with his 
family to Michigan in the spring of lSo5, the journey being 
made by team through Canada, and settled at Adrian, 
Lenawee Co., where he lived until lS4-i. In the latter 
year he removed to Batavia, Branch Co., and bought the 
farm known as the " New York farm," now owned by To- 
bias Shirtz. About 1848 he came to Bronson, and engaged 
in hotel-keeping in the old village of York, in a building 
which had been erected by a man named Tisdell. It had 
been in use several years at the date of Mr. Keyes' arrival. 
In 1856 he entered into mercantile business in the village, 
and in 1861 the property passed into the hands of his son, 
C. J. Keyes. The latter has in his possession the patents 
which were issued by the government to his father-in-law, 
Joseph D. Field, and to Elias L. Rose, the former dated 
Sept. 10, 1838, and the latter May 1, 1839, both signed by 
President Martin Van Buron. Samuel Keyes has been 
dead but about four years. The double store occupied by 
C. J. Keyes was built in 1857-58, by Samuel Keyes and 
Joseph E. Earl. The latter gentleman is from Monroe 
Co., N. Y., and lived for some time also in Ohio. In 
1812, while a resident of the latter State, he visited this 
region, and in 1847-48 came to Branch County and settled 
in Batavia. He is now liviug in the southern part of the 
corporation of Bronson. 

As early as 1829-30 a post-office was established at the 
village, with Esquire Bronson as first postmaster. E. L. 
Rose held the position while keeping tavern, and was suc- 
ceeded by his son, Lorenzo A. Rose. David F. Gates was 
postmaster a short time, and was succeeded by Charles Carr, 
who died in office. His widow next held the position. After- 
ward L. A. Rose was a second time appointed, and remained 
in office from 1860 to 1863. He was succeeded by Mar- 
shall Morrill, and he by the present incumbent, C. W. Al- 
bertson. 

Another post-office, called Prairie River, was established 
in the Adams neighborhood early in 1832, and Mr. Judson, 
who has been previously mentioned, received the first ap- 
pointment as postmaster. After his death William A. Kent 
was appointed, and held the office until the construction of 
the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway, when it 
was discontinued. This was a distributing point for several 
offices, — Colon, Lima, etc., — the mail being carried to them 
on horseback. This office was of much convenience to 
settlers in the neighborhood at that time. 

One of the first stores in Bronson village was opened by 
David F. Gates, who placed a board across one corner of a 
room in his log house, and kept a small stock, — a few 
dollars' worth of tobacco, pipes, etc. He afterward kept a 
much larger establishment, having an extensive general 
store, and was in business a number of years. He is now 
living south of the village. 

Bronson was iucorporated by the Board of Supervisors 
of Branch County in the fall of 1866, the territory in- 
cluded being one mile square. At the first village election, 
held Nov. 26, 1866, the following officers were chosen : 



President, Warren Byrns ; Trustees, C. J. Keyes, Jason 
Shepard, A. Pixley, Lorenzo A. Rose, Leonard D. Clark, 
Henry Powers; Corporation Clerk, Andrew S. Parrish ; 
Treasurer, Joseph E. Earl ; Marshal, Spellman Dennis ; 
Assessor, George F. Gillam ; Highway Commissioner, 
Joseph E. Eail. 

For the government of the village, the by-laws of Burr 
Oak, St. Joseph Co., were adopted, with some .slight amend- 
ments. A new charter was received in 1873, and since 
then but three trustees have been elected annually to serve 
two years. The presidents and trustees of the village, from 
1867, have been the following persons, viz. : 

1867. — President, Cyrus J. Keyes; Trustees, Lorenzo 
A. Rose, Milo Clark, Joseph E. Earl, Allen Tumor, Eli 
G. Bennett, Leonard D. Clark. 

1868.— President, Oscar B. Nichols; Trustees, Milo 
Clark, Lorenzo A. Rose, R. Van Ness, D. A. Whittaker, 
William H. Compton, Joseph E. Earl. 

1869. — President, Lorenzo A. Rose; Trustees, Jason 
Shepard, Joseph Kean, E. W. Benton, Cyrus J. Keyes, 
0. B. Nichols, Milo Clark. 

1870. — President, Jason Shepard; Trustees, Oscar B. 
Nichols, Darius Monroe, Augustus Pixley, Henry Powers, 
David H. Whittaker, Charles Moase. 

1871. — President, Milo Clark; Trustees, Amos J. An- 
derson, Joseph Kean, Leonard D. Clark, Xenophon Gilson, 
Darwin S. Fellows, Albert J. Trigg. 

1872. — President, Oscar B. Nichols; Trustees, Anson 
J. Ilorton, Henry Powers, C. A. Bartlett, James Ruggles, 
Darwin S. Fellows, William Lameraux. 

1873. — President, Oscar B. Nichols; Trustees, C. A. 
Bartlett, Henry Powers, Anson J. Horton, Leonard D. 
Clark, Joseph Kean, Amos J. Anderson. 

1874. — President, Oscar B. Nichols ; Trustees, Fernando 
Knapp, Augustus Pixley, William H. Teller. 

1875. — President, Anson J. Horton; Trustees, Elijah 
Holbrook, Leonard D. Clark, George H. Warner. 

1876. — President, Milo Clark ; Trustees, Amos J. An- 
derson, Jacob Stailey, Anson J. Horton. 

1877. — President, Jason Shepard; Trustees, Henry 
Powers, Quincy A. Drew, D. E. Winegar. 

1878. — President, Christopher G. Bnbcock ; Trustees, 
Lafayette Corey, Joseph E. Earl, L. M. Godfrey. 

1879.— President, Dr. W. Byrns; Trustees, Henry 
Powers, Amos J. Anderson, Milo Clark ; Clerk, W. Ira 
Beesmer ; Treasurer, Jason Shepard ; As.sessor, Oscar B. 
Nichols. 

The territory incorporated includes the south half of the 
northeast quarter and the .southeast quarter of section 1 1 ; 
the south half of the northwest quarter and the southwest 
quarter of section 12 ; the north half of the northwest 
quarter of section 13; and the north half of the northeast 
quarter of section 14. 

HOTELS. 

Of these there are three in the village at present. The 
"Rose House" has been mentioned. About 1852-53 a 
hotel was built by a man named Foster, now of Coldwater, 
on the ground where the " Bronson House" now stands- 
The building was destroyed by fire, and subsequently the 




DARIUS MONROE. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICH TO AN. 



227 



front part of the present structure, which hud been built 
and used as a store by Wesley Wright, was moved to the 
same site and Cdnvorted into a hotel. It ha.s been eiilariiod 
by an addition in the rear, and has recently been rojiaircd 
and painted, and numerous improvements added. The 
store stood a short distance east of tlic site of the hotel. 
The latter is now tlic property of Joliii Q. Adams. The 
first house was built immediately alter the route of the 
railroad was definitely located, but about two years before 
the track was laid. The " E.xchange Hotel" wa.s built 
previous to the war of the Rebellion, by James Bennie, 
now of (iilcad township. His .son-in-law, J. Sweeting, 
was its first landlord. The present proprietor is George 
Farr. 

Both the "Exchange Hotel" and " Bronson House" are 
large frame buildings, located near the depot, and about 
half a mile from the business portion of the village. For 
a place no larger than Bronson, these hotels are well kept 
and deservedly popular. 

The present steam grist-mill in the eastern part of the 
village was built about 1858-5t), by Ransom Compton. It 
contains two runs of stone, does a large business, and is 
owned by Mr. Crippen. 

Soon after the close of the war a foundry was started 
here by a man named Van Every, now of Coldwater. It 
stood south of the corners, on the east side of the street, 
below the site of the present brick block. Mr. Van Every 
afterward sold the building to a Mr. McNett, and moved 
liis tools, moulds, etc., to the cast part of the village, where 
the foundry of Reynolds & Fowler is now located. This 
firm is doing a good business, operating in connection with 
their foundry, a saw- and planing-mill. 

About 1SG3 a tannery was built south of the village, by 
Charles R. Garrison, who had previously kept a store in the 
building now occupied by C. J. Keyes, which he rented. 
In time he sold his tannery to Williams & Whittaker, and 
it was afterwards destroyed by fire. The present building 
is the third one on the ground, and is not now in operation. 
Quite an extensive business was conducted in this line for 
a time, but it was finally abandoned. 

The fine brick business block on the south side of Chi- 
cago Street, east of the Corners, was begun by L. A. Rose, 
in 18G7. He that year built the east fifty feet, and the 
balance was erected in ISG'J, by James Weatherby, Milo 
Clark, and Leonard D. Clark. Weatherby, after partially 
completing his share, sold to L. A. Rose, and that part is 
now owned by Lafayette Corey. Jlessrs. C. & H. Powers 
own and occupy the next room east, and Milo Clark owns 
the ea.sternniost room, and the one he occupies. The west 
room is owned by L. D. Clark. These are all on the ground 
floor. The building is three stories in height. Over L. 
D. Clark's store the second floor is occupied by oflices and 
the third by the Masonic fraternity. Milo Clark occupies 
the three floors in his part of the building with hardware- 
store, store-room, and tin-shop. Over Corey's store are 
justiee's-oflBce and Grange Hall; over C. & H. Powers, 
oiSccs and Odd-Follows' Hall; over east part, law-office 
and public hall. The block is an ornament to the place, 
and reflects much credit upon the enterprise of its business 
men. 



MASONIC. 

Mi/sl!c Lodge, No. Ul, /•'. and A. M., was organized in 
1862, with 1 1 members, under a dispensation from the 
Grand Lodge. Its master was Darius Monroe, and the first 
one under the charter was Charles R. Garrison, who was 
succeeded by Milo Clark. The latter held the position six 
years, and was at the same time high-priest in the chapter. 
The present membershi]) of the Blue Lodge is about 150, 
and its officers are the fiillowing, viz. : Worshipful Master, 
B. P. Taggart; Senior Warden, Ira I). Hull; Junior War- 
den, Oral Crampton ; Senior Deacon, J. K. P. Keyes; 
Junior Deacon, Anson J. Ilortou ; Sec., George Ellis; 
Treas., Henry Powers. 

Siroc Chapter, No. 41, li. A. M., was organized with. 
10 members in 186G. Its first high-priest was Milo Clark. 
The menibcrship at present is about 40, and the officers are : 
High-Priest, Ira D. Hull ; King, Jason Shepard ; Scribe, 
Leonard D. Clark; (?aptain of Host, George Ellis; I'rinci- 
pal Sojourner, Milo Clark; Royal Arch Captain, Henry 
Powers ; Master 3d Veil, William H. Compton ; Master 
2d Veil, L. W. Lewis; Master 1st Veil, Amos J. Ander- 
son; Sentinel, Peter Potts; Sec., G. H. Warren; Treas., 
Milo Clark. 

Bronson Council, No. 40, was organized about 1874, 
with Ira D. Hull as T. I. G. M. Its membership at pres- 
ent is in the neighborhood of 25. The officers are : Thrice 
Illustrious Grand Master, Henry Powers ; Deputy Illustri- 
ous Grand Master, L. W. Lewis ; Principal Conductor of 
the Work, Joseph E. Pullman ; Captain of the Guard, 
Milo Clark ; Sentinel, Peter Potts. 

Among the Masons at Bronson and vicinity are a few 
Knights Templar. These are Milo Clark, Ira D. Hull, 
Leonard D Clark, Cyrus J. Keyes, B. J. Trigg, and John 
T. Holmes. They are members of Jacobs Commandery, 
No. 10, K. T., of Coldwater, with the exception of Mr. 
Holmes, who belongs to Columbia Commandery at Sturgis, 
St. Joseph Co. 

ODD-FELLOWS. 

Bronson Lodge, No. 227, /. O. 0. F., was instituted 
April, 14, 1874, with 14 members, of which number 5 
had taken their degrees at Burr Oak, and were instru- 
mental in organizing the lodge at Bronson. The first 
principal officers were: Noble Grand, D. R. Sherman ; Vice 
Grand, E. A. Gay ; Recording Sec., A. F. Clark ; Perma- 
nent Sec, Seth Monroe ; Treas., Jason Shepard. The 
present membership is about 35, and the following are the 
present officers: Noble Grand, J. Q. Adams; Vice Grand, 
S. Dennis ; Recording Sec, J. P. Borton ; Permanent Sec, 
Thomas James ; Treas., Charles GiLson. 

TlIK BRONSON CORNET BAND 

was organized in the fall of 1877, and at present consists 
of 11 members, with Samuel Holmes as leader. For some 
time after its organization the band employed Charles 
Rogers, of Constantinc, St. Josejjh Co., as teacher, and 
made rapid advancement under his tutorship. For the 
length of time it has been in practice it has become re- 
markably efficient. 



HISTOKr OF BRANCH COUNTY. MICHIGAN. 



KELIlUOrS SOCIETIKS. 
METHOPIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The first religious organiwtiou iu Brouson was a class 
formed b_v the Methodists alnnit 1S36. with Peter Jones as 
leader. Gabriel Smith, now deivasctl. wiis the preacher at 
thai time, aud orssmiieil the society. The old chiss was 
allowed to lose its identity, the members uniting with 
churches at Burr Oak and elsewhere, aud for some years 
there w;is no Methixlist orpinitition in the place. The 
present society was formeii iu 1S57 by Kev. John Clubine, 
its {vastor at this time. It was then a station on the Burr 
Oak Circuit, from the etist h;df of which the Bronson Cir- 
cuit was formed in the f.dl of ISOG. at which time Rev. 
Mr. Poust was pastor. There are three ap}x>iutmeuts now 
on the circuit, — at Bron.-mn. Btttavia Centre, and in the 
Shaw neighborhood, on the west line of Brvnisou township. 
The only house of worship on the circuit is the brick 
churvh at Bronson, which was erected in ISTl, the cost 
of the pR>jvrty. including sheds, {v»rson;»ge, etc., being 
§5300. This is the first churvh the Methodists have 
erected here, their meetings having previously been held 
in the school-house or iu Ciark"s Hall. At the other two 
appointment, services are conducted iu school-houses. The 
membership of the Brouson society in March, 1S79, was 
S6. A Sunday-school is sustained, with an average attend- 
ance of G2 ; S. S. Rcetl is superintendent. The member- 
ship of the entire circuit is 112, and the pastor is Rev. 
John Clttbiue, who came with his father, John Clubine, 
fr\>m Pittsburgh. Pa., to St. Joseph Co., Mich., iu lSo6. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The first Baptist society at Bronson w;is onrauia^ about 
ISGO, at the house of Wildmau Bennett, where the first 
meetings wer* held. The school-house was subsevjuently 
used, as it was also by other denominations. The present 
frame churvh owned by the society was built in the sum- 
mer of 1S(>4. those mainly instrumental in having it done 
being Mr. Bennett and his son. Eli G. Bennett. 0. B. 
Nichols, although not a member, aided largely, and Dr. W. 
Byms and Deacon P. M. Johnson were also prominent 
and influential members. They are yet residing iu the vil- 
lage. The first pastor was Elder Mouroe, who remained in 
charge about two years. The p;u<tors since have been 
Elders Southard, Pease ^uow of Burr Oak'i, John Kelly. 
Rodau. Post, Gay, and the present in- 
cumbent. Elder William Remington, who came in 1ST5. 
Elder Fish had preceded hiiu for a short time as supplv. 
The church has been repaired at considerable ej:pense ^^cal- 
clmined. frescoed, and painted\ and in 1S7S a pipe-ors-an 
was purchased of the Baptist Society at Coldwater. which 
cost, when new, §650. The present membership of the 
churvh k 152, The attendance at the Sabbath-school 
averages about 70, aud the superintendent of the latter 
is Wesley Dunn, whctse wife is a daughter of Wlldman 
Bennett. 

COSOEIGATIOSAL CHURCH. 

A meeting to take into coitsideratioo the organiiatioa of 
a Congregational Church in Bn>nson was held at Rose's 
Hall. May 7, 1S6S, numerous delegates being preseat. 



The church was organised in the afternoon of the same day 
with five members, vii,, Mrs. Isabella Waite, Mrs. Mary 
Shepard. Mrs. Harriet Nott, Mrs. Harriet Fellows, and 
3Irs. Cornelia Babcock. A Congreg;»tionaI s<XMety was or- 
g-aiiized March 21, 1S70. the first officers chosen being the 
following : Trojisurer, Christopher G. Balnxtck ; Clerk, F. 

A. Waite ; Trustees, George F. Gillam, Reuben M. Rob- 
erts, Jitson Shefxird. The first pastor was Rev. J. R. Bon- 
ney, who had previously been in charge of a small congrega- 
tion in Mattcson township, the members of which united with 
the chua'h at Ba^uson upon its formation. Meetings in 
Mattt^son had been held in a school-house. Mr. Bonney 
aided in organizing the Bamson church, and was its pastor 
ten years. His successor is the present pastor. Rev. Frank 

B. Olds, The memlvrship is now about 60. A Sabbath- 
sehool is sustained with an attendance of about 50 : its 
sujierintendent is John V. Allen. The present frame 
chajiel, standing west of the school-house, was built in 
1S72. The entire cost of the property, induding the lot 
(^$200), was a trifle less than SIOOO. 

ST. mart's catholic CHURCH 

was built in the summer of 1S77. during the pastorate of 
Rev. Father C. Cotst. of Coldwater. who h:is been in 
charge about thirteen years. The lot on which the church 
i^a frame building^ stands, had been purchased a year before. 
Meetings were first held iu a small building which stood 
near the depot. 

Bronson coutivius at present in the neighborhivd of twenty 
stores of various descriptions, with the usual complement of 
shops, such as are found in a place of the sise. The vil- 
lage has a population of nearly 1000. Aside from the 
manuikcturing establishments already mentioned is an ex- 
tensive stave-lactory near the depot, which turns out a large 
amount of work. The physicians of the place number five. 

Among those who have imparted information, which has 
been woven into the foregoing account, are Hon. Wales 
.\dams, Jonathan Holmes and wife, -James Ruggles, Mrs. 
EHki Field, .Milo Clark. Henry Powers. L. A. Rose, C. J. 
Keyes, Revs. William Remington. F. B. Olds, and J. Clu- 
bine. other members of churches and societies, George Farr, 
William H. Compton ^^town clerk'^, and nnmenius otheis 
whose names are not tecoUected. To all are returned sin- 
cere thanks. 



BI0GR.\PH1C.\L SKETCHES. 



WALES APAMS, 

the young«t son of Eliakim Adams by hb second wife, 
was bom the 2d of March, 1S04, in Medway. Norfolk Co., 
Mass.. twentv.five miles frv^m Boiston. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier and died in the fall of ISOS, aged 
fifty-tour years. His mother died soon after. His guard- 
ian, who was a fatherly, philanthropic man, and deacon of 
a Presbyterian church, sent him to a country district school 
three mouths each year, till he was sixteen years of age. 
From that time (^1S20) till the spring of 1S2S he was en- 



HISTOIIY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



229 



pajiod in mechanical employment, most of the lime in ma- 
ctiinc-shops, coiistnictin;; cotton machinery. FiiiJinf; tliat 
tiio l)usincs.s wa.s injuriou.s to his liealth lie abandoTicd it 
and wont to New York City, where he lived until tlie 2d 




WALES ADAMS. 

of September, 1S;5(), at which time ho startcil for INIichij^an, 
and reached Hranch County about the middle of the same 
month. In the winter of IS:')!)-:')], in company with Wil- 
lard Pierce, they built a sawmill, which was propelled by 
the water which meandered along the classic Prairie River. 
The saw-mill was located cm the west half, northwest quarter 
of section 29, in town 7 snuth, range S west, in the town 
of Bronson. Since that time, for more than forty-eight 
years, the place he first settled has been his hume. 



JONATHAN HOLMES. 

In a volume composed principally of biogralipical sketches 
of pioneer families in Peterborough, N. H., mention is made 
of Nathaniel Htihnos, the great-grandfather of the gentle- 
man whose name appears above. He and his wife, Jane 
(Hunter) Holmes, lived and died in Coleraine, Antrim Co., 
Ireland. Tiiey were the parents of five children, of whom 
one, Nathaniel, emigrated to America in 1740, and settled 
at Londonderry, N. H., where he married Elizabeth Moore, 
of the same place. Their son. Deacon Nathaniel Holmes — 
father of Jonathan — was the ninth of a family of twelve 
children, and was born at Londonderry, N. H., Sept. 5, 
1759, the same year that witnessed the fall of the citadel 
of Quebec and the death of the gallant officers, Wolfe and 
Montcalm. He married Catherine Allison, daughter of 
Samuel aud Janet (^McFarland ) xVllison. Mr. Allison was a 
native of Londonderry, N. H., where he wiis born in 1743, 
and his death occurred at Weathersfield, Vt., in 181)9. His 
wife, also a native of Londonderry, died April 29, 1831, 
aged seventy-one years. 

lu 1784, Deacon Nathaniel Holmes removed to Peter- 



borough, N. II., soon alter his marriage, and there he and 
his wife continued to live until their death. His title of 
" Deacon" was given to him from the fact that he held that 
position in the Presbyterian Church. When i|uite young 
he rendered much service during the war of the Revolution. 
In 1775 he went out as a waiter to Lieut. Henry Fergu.son, 
to Cambridge, and after that to his own father-in-law, Maj. 
Duncan, of Londonderry. In September, 1776, he was 
urged by his brother-in-law, William Moore, to cnli.st in 
Capt. Finiey's company, Mr. Mooro promising to make his 
pay as good as ten dollars per month. However, he declined, 
on the plea that his clothes were worn out. His sister, Mrs. 
Moore, overhearing the convensation, said, " Billy, you fur- 
nish the shoes and I will fiiniish the clothes." As there 
were but two pounds of wool in the house, it was a mystery 
how she could do so. But the next morning the sheep 
were brought to the barn, and four early lambs shorn of 
their fleece. The wool was colored, spun, woven, and made 
into clothing within twenty days, and when Capt. Finley 
came through town on his way to Saratoga, the young 
soldier was ready to join the company. He returned safely 
and Mr. Moore made good his promise regarding the young 
man's pay. Deacon Holmes died in Peterborough, Sept. 
10, 1832. He and his wife were the parents of eleven 
children, of whom Jonathan Holmes, of Bronson township, 
is the youngest, his birth occurring at Peterborough, N. II., 
June 8, 1807. On the 4th of February, 1830, he was 
married to Jane F. Moore, who was born Feb. 8, 1810. 
She survived but a few months, her death occurring April 
19, 1831. In the winter following, on Dec. 24, 1831, Mr. 
Holmes married Mary Taggart, widow of Cicero Robbe. 
She was born Oct. 10, 1807, and is now living with her 
husband in Bronson township. Their children are six in 
number, as follows: Mary Jane, born Oct. 15, 1832; mar- 
ried Truman Surdam, June 1, 1854, and removed to Cali- 
fornia in 1856 ; had two children, Ellen A. and Emma A. 
Her husband died and she married William C. Dougherty, 
and is now living in Winona Co., Jlinn. John T., born 
Dec. 4, 1836; married first to Helen McMillan, since de- 
ceased ; second, to Sarah Van Alstine ; now living near his 
father. His two children are Nat. Leeson and Mary Louise. 
Byron Nathaniel, born Oct. 10, 1840 ; died March 11, 1842. 
Cicero J., born Nov. 13, 1844; living with his father. 
Sherman, born Nov. 24, 1848 ; died Aug. 24, 1850. Flor- 
ence Amelia, born Dec. 16, 1853; married to Ezra Beard- 
sley, Oct. 21, 1874 ; now living .south of her father's place. 
Their children are Walter Holmes and Jesse Gertrude. 

Jonathan Holmes lived on his father's farm at Peter- 
borough until he was nearly twenty-nine years of age. The 
care of his parents devolved upon him, and most faithfully 
did he attend to their comfort until the last sad rites had 
been performed for them and they were consigned to their 
final resting-place. After their death he sold his property, 
and in company with his brother, Samuel Holmes, came to 
Michigan. The two purchased four hundred acres of land 
from Alfred L. Driggs, including the place where Mr. 
Holmes now lives, the water power, and the saw-mill which 
Dri""s had erected. This purcli;ise was ctTceted the day 
Mr. Holmes was twenty-nine years of age, — June 8, 1836. 
Samuel Holmes never settled here. He was long interested 



230 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in a machine-shop and cotton-factory at Springfield, Windsor 
Co., Vt., but subsequently returned to Peterborough, N. H., 
where he died. 

Jonathan Holmes returned to New Hampshire for his 
family, leaving the saw-mill in charge of David Taggart, 
and arrived with them at their home in the wilds of the 
Peninsular State on the 19th of September, 1837. Samuel 
Holmes' son, David A. Holmes, assumed charge of his 
father's interest in the property in Bronson. In 1839 a 
grist-mill was ready for use, and this was operated about 
thirty years. 

When Mr. Holmes came to this place but two acres had 
been cleared upon it. The nearest house to the north was 
that of Amos Matteson, on the west shore of Blatteson 
Lake, in the township of the same name. Westward it 
was a complete wilderness until Burr Oak was reached, and 
the nearest house south or southwest was that of Wales 
Adams. The Chicago road was the only one in the neigh- 
borhood. The members of the household were made 
familiar with the sight of numerous bands of Indians, who 
encamped often on the banks of Swan Creek, and fished 
and hunted in the vicinity. They were always peaceable 



and quiet, and no trouble was experienced with them at 
any time. 

Politically, Mr. Holmes is a Democrat, his first vote 
having been cast for the electors of Andrew Jackson. He 
lias served four terms as justice of the peace, two as super- 
visor, several as highway commissioner, etc. He has nearly 
reached the age of seventy-two years, forty-two of which 
have been spent in his present home. He is .surrounded 
by comforts, the product of his untiring industry, and lives 
in the quiet and seienity of a happy old age, one of Nature's 
greatest blessings. 

Mrs. Holmes' great-grandfather, John Taggart, was born 
in Ireland in 1720, and settled in Roxbury, Mass., whence 
he removed to Peterborough, N. H., in 1752. He died in 
Dublin, N. H., in 1813, aged ninety-three. Her grand- 
father, John Taggart, Jr., was born in Roxbury, Mass., 
Feb. 11, 1750, married Anna Fames, removed to Dublin, 
N. H., in 1797, and died there Nov. 15, 1832, aged eighty- 
two years and nine months. He was an ensign in the 
Revolutionary war. 

Her father, John Taggart, was born May 20, 1781, and 
died Sept. 20, 1835, aged fifty-four years. 



G I R A B D. 



This township, which is designated by the United States 
survey as township 5 south, of range 6 west, is situated 
upon the north border of the county, east of the centre. 

It is joined on the north by Calhoun County, and east, 
south, and west by the townships, respectively, of Butler, 
Coldwater, and Union, in Branch County. 

It has a uniformly level surface, yet sufficiently elevated 
to afford good surface drainage into its natural water-courses 
and lakes. The principal streams are Coldwater River and 
Hog Creek. The former flows from the lake of the same 
name, and dividing in its course sections 29 and 30, leaves 
the township on the west border. The latter stream enters 
the town from the east, and running in a general westerly 
direction, passes through the central part, and effects a 
junction with the former river, just over the border, in 
Union township. The major portion of Coldwater Lake is 
situated within sections 29 and 32, while Vincent Lake 
lies mainly within section 4. The lake surfocc in the 
township comprises an area of about 650 acres. The soil 
is a gravelly loam, alternating occasionally with clay loam. 
It is very productive, easily cultivated, and bounteous crops 
annually reward the husbandmen for their toil. The people 
are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits, stock-raising, 
the cultivation of corn, potatoes, fruits, and the various 
cereals being the specialties ; and it is but fair to say that 
in the quality of its productions, and the amount produced. 



it stands second on the list among Branch County town- 
ships. 

According to the census of 1874 (the latest) it contains a 
total area of 22,502 acres, of which 12,740 were improved, 
and had a population at that period of 1313 inhabitants. 

THE PIONEKIIS OF GIRARD. 

In the summer of 1828, the brothers Joseph C. and 
Richard W. Corbus, accompanied by their mother,* and 
the wife and seven children of Joseph C, started from De- 
troit, — the place of their nativity, — and, with ox-teams and 
heavily-loaded wagons, slowly wended their way to the 
southwest in search of a new home. Their route led them 
along the Indian trail, afterwards known as the " Chicago 
road." After passing Saline, but very few settlers were to 
be found. At Jonesville, Hillsdale Co., was found Benaiah 
Jones, alone in his glory, and Moses Allen, the sole white 
inhabitant on Allen's Prairie. Here, on Sand Creek, and a 
short distance east of Allen's, the Corbus family first set- 
tled, and remained together one year. 

Early in the spring of 1829, Richard W. Corbus, a young, 
unmarried man, accompanied by his mother and his niece, 
Sarah Ann Corbus,f then a child of about seven years of 

* Mrs. Sarah McCombs. She was one of six of the first class in 
Methodism formed in the Territory of Michigan. 

f Now known as Mrs. Sarah A. Smith, and a resident of Quincy, 
Mich. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



231 



age, removed to the tcnitiiry now known as Girard. They 
located temporarily near tlio northwest corner of section 22, 
and thereby became the first white residents in the town- 
ship. 

The Polltiwaliimlf Indians had a small villau'e on the 
prairie, about one-fourth of a mile east of the corners, and 
here for the first six weeks Corbus, his mother, and niece 
lived in an unoccupied wigwam in the Indian village. 
During this time young Corbus had prepared a sufiBcient 
quantity of logs to build a log house, which was finally 
erected with the as.si.staiice of his Indian neighbors and his 
brother Joseph, who came over from Allen I'rairie for that 
purpose. Mrs. Smith relates that the Indians were very 
friendly to the early settlers, and freely divided their store 
of provisions with their newly-arrived white neighbors, who, 
but for this timely aid, would many times have suffered for 
the most common necessaries of life. " On the south side 
of the road, or near the northwest corner of section 22, was 
an Indian village of some twenty huts, and a large dance- 
house; opposite the village, on the north side of the road, 
was a small cornfield, and near the creek, north of the corn- 
field, were four apple-trees. Their burial-ground was 
situated on section 15, about midway between the present 
residence of Mrs. B. 11. Smith and the corners of Girard 
village."* 

The house built by Richard W. Corbus was situated 
upon section 21, near the ]ircsent residence of Mr. Joseph 
Vaid)Ianom. Here he remained until the spring of 1831, 
when, having exchanged claims and property with his brother 
Joseph, Richard returned to Allen, while Joseph took up 
his residence in Girard. 

In October, 1830, Edward S. Hanchett settled upon sec- 
tion 22, and Henry Van Hyning, of Medina, Ohio, upon 
section 20. Mr. Van Hyning's wife was the first to depart 
this life among tho.se who. settled upon the " West Prairie," 
and at her death he deeded one-half acre of land to the 
public for burial purposes. The plot is now inclosed, and 
adjoins the grounds of the West Girard Cemetery. 

Martin Barnhart, from Wayne Co., N. Y., settled upon 
section 17, Jan. 1, 1831, and during the month of March 
of the same year John Parkinson, from Wayne, N. Y., 
settled upon section 18, Benjamin H. Smith upon section 
20, and the brothers Samuel and James Craig upon the 
same section. 

Joseph C. Corbus, his brother John Corbus, and John 
Cornish settled in the central part, or on the " east prai- 
rie," during the same spring. 

Benjamin H. Smith was a native of New Jersey. At 
an early period of his life he removed to Wayne Co., N. Y. 
He settled in Ypsilanti, Mich., in June, 1829, and from 
thence came to Girard in 1831. His daughter Sophrouia 
was the first female child born on the " West Prairie." He 
built the first framed house in the township during the first 
year of his residence, and, assisted by Abram Aldrich, built 
the first framed house in the city of Coldwater. He also, 
in company with J. W. Mann, Lyman Fo.x, and James B. 
Tompkins, built the first saw-mill, in 1837. He served his 
town.ship in various official capacities, and was an active 

* The reader is referred to the general history for full particulars of 
the ]ndi:in occupancy, etc. 



participant in all matters relating to the public welfare. 
His widow and several sons survive him, and are residents 
of the township at the present time. Mrs. B. II. Smith 
says that during the first years of their residence in Girard 
no grist-n)ills were nearer than White Pigeon, and that 
people very often ground their buckwheat in a coffee-mill 
and pounded their corn, with which they made "samp" and 
hominy. Subsequently, Heiijamin 11. Smith, Abram Al- 
drich, and Martin Barnhart erected a small grist-mill on 
Hog Creek, on the " West Prairie." John Parkinson was 
the first postmaster. 

Samuel Craig came from Morristown, St. Lawrence Co., 
N. Y., and settled in Allen, Hillsdale Co., Mich., 1829, 
his being the third family to settle in that vicinity. In 
the spring of 1831, together with his family and his 
brother James Craig, he removed to Girard and .settled 
upon the West Prairie. The family moved into a log house 
which had been partially completed by Henry Van Hyning 
the fall previously. When occupied, it contained neither 
doors, windows, nor floor. His son, Samuel Craig, Jr., 
who was born Sept. 4, 1831, was the first white child born 
in the township; the second birth being that of Rhoda, 
daughter of Joseph C. Corbus, who was born Sept. 1(> 
of the same year. Mr. Craig built the first log barn in 
1833, and to erect it required the strong arms of nearly all 
the inhabitants of Girard and Coldwater towiishii)s. 

Joseph C. Corbus and his brother John, with their 
families, .settled \i\\m\ the north ]iart of .section 21 in 
JIarch, 1831. John Corbus died about 1833, from an 
awkwardly-performed amputation, necessitated by an injury 
to his leg, received on a public conveyance, while en-route 
from Detroit to Girard. The demise of his wife occurred 
but two weeks later than his own. Joseph C, or " 'Squire 
Corbus," as he was more familiarly known, was a resident 
of the township for many years, or until his death. He 
was the first town clerk elected in Coldwater township 
(1832), when its territory comprised the east half of the 
the county, and was also the first clerk elected in Girard 
township in 1834. He served in the latter capacity, and 
as justice of the peace, for a score or more of years. Through 
his care and keeping a large portion of the records of the 
old township of (jreen are still preserved in the town records 
of Girard township. 

John Cornish did not purchase any land in the town.ship. 
He removed at an early day to Quincy, where he became 
prominent as one of the first .settlers in that township. 

James B. Tompkins came from Schoharie, Schoharie 
Co., N. Y., and in the fall of 1830 arrived in Tecumseh, 
Mich., where he remained until July, 1831, passing six 
months of this time in the wilderness, while following his 
occupation as a surveyor. At the date last mentioned he 
removed to Girard, and bought 80 acres upon section 15, 
where he now resides, and the same number of acres on 
section 22. His recollections of the Indians and the white 
Ajmilies then residing in the township are as follows ; 
Upon the " West Prairie" were the families of Benjamin 
H. Smith, Martin Barnhart, Samuel Craig, Henry Van 
Hyning, and John Parkinson. Upon the " East Prairie" 
were tho.se of Edward S. Hanchett, Joseph C. Corbus, 
John Corbus, and John Cornish. The Indians were upon 



232 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



section 22, where they had some 12 or 15 shanties, and 
about 8 acres of nice corn growing. After the removal of 
the Indians their shanties were torn down by the early 
settlers, and used to make shelters for their cattle. Upon 
that portion of section 15 purchased by Mr. Tompkins the 
squaws had planted four apple-trees. A year or so had 
passed away after his settlement ; many other white families 
were coming in ; and the Indians had learned that at a day 
not far distant they were to be removed away, and forever, 
from the scenes of their childhood days, their village, and 
the beautiful little prairie they had ever considered as all 
their own. A fate they so much dreaded very naturally 
exasperated them to such a degree that they determined to 
destroy the apple-trees, and all other things which they 
thought might be of value to the whites. Mr. Tompkins 
was accosted by a neighbor one day, and informed that the 
squaws were cutting down his apple-trees. He hastened 
to the spot and found that three trees were already hewn 
into fragments, while a young squaw, with axe in hand, 
and urged on by an older one, had already made an attack 
upon the fourth and only remaining tree. He shouted to 
them to stop. They did stop, and then the old squaw 
began a noisy harangue and denunciation of the whites ; 
how the Indians had been cheated, their lands taken away 
from them, and old squaw had not received a dress. In 
the mean time several of the bucks had gathered around. 
Anger and hatred were depicted by face and gesture. The 
squaws demanded to be paid for sparing the tree. At this 
juncture William McCarty came up, and as he understood 
the Indian dialect he acted as mediator, and peace was 
once more restored by Mr. Tompkins agreeing to give the 
squaws a certain amount of flour. 

In February, 1832, INIr. Tompkins proceeded to Tecum- 
seh and married. On his return, via the Chicago road, he 
found Hog Creek so swollen by rains and a recent thaw 
that at the point where he wished to cross it was some 
twenty-five rods in width. Reed's tavern was situated one 
and one-half miles east of the creek, where the newly- 
married pair tarried overnight. Mr. Tompkins relates 
that his financial resources were in a depressed condition 
ju.st then, and he felt it incumbent on himself to cross and 
resume his journey homeward as early as possible. To 
another unwilling guest at the tavern, who also wished to 
cross, Mr. Tompkins proposed that a raft should be con- 
structed, and thus ferry themselves and their effects to the 
opposite bank ; the man assented, and promised assistance 
until wife, horses, etc., were safely over. At daybreak next 
morning Mr. Tompkins was up and at work on a raft, 
which was completed a few hours later. A trial trip was 
made to test the capabilities of the craft, but the very 
instant they touched the opposite shore his assistant leaped 
oflF and made rapid strides towards Willson's tavern, leaving 
Mr. Tompkins alone. Soon, however, the mail-carrier from 
Bronson's Prairie rode up and volunteered his a.ssistance, 
while at about the same time Benaiah Jones, with the mail 
from the East, appeared on the east bank, also Dr. Enoch 
Chase. With all assisting, the crossing of the mails, the 
female, and the horses (by swimming) was finally effected 
in safety. 

Nearly half a century has elapsed since Mr. Tompkins 



made Girard his homo, and during all these years of a con- 
tinuous residence he has ever taken an active part and 
been prominently identified in all matters looking to the 
welfare of his township. He was the first supervisor elected 
in the township (1834), and has served his townsmen in 
that capacity for a period of sixteen years. He also rep- 
resented his county in the State Legislature in 1854. 

In the fall of 1831, William McCarty, of Wayne Co., 
Mich., settled upon section 15, and soon afterwards .served 
as the first sheriff of Branch County. Joseph Fowler, a 
soldier of 1812, from New York State, settled upon section 
21 at about the same time. 

Abram and Asa Aldrich, brothers, each with families of 
sons and daughters, came from Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., 
and located in the town in 1833. Chaunccy Barnes and 
Stephen Hickox also settled here at about this time. 
Among others who came in in years prior to 1835 were 
Samuel and Christian Estlow, John Worden, John B. 
IMason, Lyman Fox, Stephen Birdsall, David Staunton, 
Timothy Robinson, the last six all from Monroe Co., N. Y. 
Allen Cobb, John Moore, Sereno B. Ames, David B. Og- 
den, Thomas Brewer, William D. Rose, Beal H. Randall, 
and John Strong. 

In the fall of 1835, William Vanblarcom and his son 
Joseph started from Andes, Delaware Co., N. Y., and, with 
a sir)gle horse and light wagon, drove the entire distance to 
Girard. Their route was taken via Queenstown, through 
Canada to Detroit; thence along the Chicago road to near 
their point of destination. Their expenses during the 
journey amounted to $14.42. Joseph asserts that this 
amount would have been considerably lessened had they 
not fallen among thieves at the tavern kept by one Osborn, 
whose house was located on the Chicago road, near the 
line dividing Hillsdale and Branch Counties. In a strong 
box, which was strapped upon the back part of their wagon, 
young Vanblarcom had placed his wearing apparel ; in fact, 
the major portion of his earthly possessions were packed 
therein, as he had intended to remain in Michigan perma- 
nently. During the night some one broke open the box 
and stole its contents. The landlord tendered his sympathy, 
and, apparently, was much concerned and interested in 
hunting up those who had committed the robbery upon his 
premises. Slany people were then emigrating Westward 
over this road, and several families had encamped in the 
vicinity during the night-time. The tavern-keeper assured 
young Vanblarcom that, beyond a doubt, some among them 
had stolen his clothing, and advised that he make search 
among their wagons. This was done, but he met with no 
success. Some two or three days were passed in hunting 
fijr the lost goods, but nothing resulted other than to swell 
their expenses at the hou.se of the rascal who perpetrated 
the robbery himself. After viewing the country in Girard, 
and concluding to settle his family here, the father started 
on his return to New York, accompanied by his son, who 
was in a condition worse than Joseph of old. He had a 
coat, though it was " of many colors," while our Joseph 
had none at all. In December, after procuring another 
outfit, Joseph began another journey to Michigan. He 
paid $5 to ride in a cutter with a man who was going as 
far as Erie, Pa. The remaining distance was traversed on 



if(Si^^l| A^^? ! ^ifa«<!:tV^^HWA^,;itjj.'w^v^^ 





^ 








p. 1 Mann 



I Photo:. 6v KiNOMUftn ) 



i 



■?*>* vifcvs. 




fVIRS POLLY fiAm. 



MRS.F I ^lANN. 



PETER T. MANN. 



Peter I. Mann was born in Schoharie, Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1815. His father was 
bom in the same county. His great-grandfather 
came from Grermany, and settled in Schoharie 
County about. 1711. Mr. Mann's mother is of 
Dutch and Scotch extraction, her ancestors having 
also been early settlers in Schoharie. Her father 
was a soldier in the Revolution. In 1836, Mr. 
Mann's parents, himself, two brothers, and sister 
came to Branch County, and settled in the town of 
Girard. Mr. Mann lived with his parents till 1843, 
when he built the -house where he now lives. Jan. 
13, 1842, he married Lavina, daughter of Peter and 
Elizabeth (Putnam) Grove, of Girard. Mrs. Maun's 
parent.s emigrateil from Herkimer Co., N. Y., to 
Western New York, and from there to Michigan, in 
the winter of 1835-36, passing through Canada with 
a sleigh, and settling near Orangeville. Mr. and 



Mrs. Mann have had eight children, whose names 
are as follows : Catharine E., who died at five 
years of age ; Mary, married to John B. Wil- 
liams, merchant, at Girard Centre ; Jacob W., 
married to Emma Prentice, farmer, near Girard 
Centre ; Belinda, married to Lester Newland, 
living at Coldwater; Mark, who lives at home; 
Charles F., who died in infancy ; Charles, who 
died in infancy; and Nina, who lives with her 
parents. 

His father died September, 1846. His mother, 
Polly Mann, still lives at Girard Centre, aged 
eighty-two, hale and hearty. Peter is the only 
remaining child who came here forty-three years 
ago. In politics Mr. Mann is a Republican, 
having cast his first vote for James G. Biruey, in 
1840. Mr. Mann owns four hundred and seventy 
acres of finely improved land. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



233 



foot. The following spring (1836) William Vanblarcora, 
— the father, — accompanied by his son.s John, Abram, and 
William \\'., returned to the township and made a perma- 
nent .settlement. 

During the years 1836-37 the population of the town- 
slii]i was lar;;ely increased by the arrival of new settlers, 
principally from the State of New York. Among them 
were Jacob W. Mann, fnini Schoharie Co., N. Y., who 
purchased a large tract of land. His son, Peter I. Mann, 
i.s a most worthy citizen of the township at the present 
time. James Pierce, from Rutland, Vt., who drove his 
own team the entire distance. A. N. Bradley and Koswell 
Crip]icn, from Jackson Co., Mich. Aura and Rodney 0. 
Smith, brotliers, from Saratoga Co., N. Y. Abram 
Tompkins, Samuel Butcher, William Bidwell, Israel Hoag, 
William Barker, B. McDonald, William Eldridgo, Thomas 
Olncy, Backus Fox, George Rosecrans, Cornelius Vanaken, 
Andrew Shaver, Levi Kingston. John Ro.se, from Germany. 
John Abram, Robert Gorball, Benjamin P. Wright, Jo.shua 
Whitney, Samuel White, Mo.scs Johnson, Archibald Lewis, 
Elias Gage, Duncan iMcVean, — the latter from Montgomery 
Co., N. Y. James Pendill and Sanford Sherman, from Gen- 
esee Co., N. Y. Daniel C. Bennett, from Jefferson Co., N. Y. 
James G. Gorball, Wayne Co., N. Y. Robert Rowley, Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y., settled on section 10. James Barney, from 
Monroe Co., N. Y., settled on section 27, in 1840. Moses 
Tompkins settled on section 15, in 1838. Philander 
Gould, from Steuben Co., N. Y., settled on section 26, 
in 1840. George A. Ru.s.sell, the first blacksmith, from 
Cheshire, N. IL, settled in 1844. Dr. Mo.scs E. Chauncey, 
the first resident physician, came from Galway, Saratoga 
Co., N. Y., and located in the village in 1843. He is in 
active practice at the present writing. 

Many worthy representatives of those whom we have 
mentioned still reside here. Their lauds are in an advanced 
state of cultivation, and their farm-houses and outbuildings 
indicate a degree of taste, thrift, and prosperity which 
would astound the pioneers of forty-five years ago, could 
they once more revisit the scene of their early toil and 
hardships. 

FIRST L.VND ENTRIES. 

The first purcha.se of lands of the United States govern- 
ment in town.ship 5 .south, of range 6 west, was made Sept. 
30, 1830, by Robert Clark, Jr., of St. Joseph Co., Mich., 
and Edward S. Hanchett. Clark's lands were situated upon 
sections 15 and 22. Ilanchett's upon 22. In Octiiber of 
the same year Abram F. Bolton made a purchase of land 
upon section 15, Martin Barnhart upon 17, Henry Van 
Hynitig upon 20, John Corbus and Hugh Campbell upon 
section 21. 

During the year 1831, William .^IcCarty, in June, made 
purcha.se upon section 15 ; John Parkinson, the .same month, 
upon 18 ; and Benjamin H. Smith and James Craig upon 
20. In November of the same year Lot Gage, of Barn- 
stable, Mass., purchased upon sections 15 and 22 ; Maria 
Fowler and Smith it Corbus upon 21. 

The following is a list — arranged by .sections — of those 
who made the first purcluiscs in the township. The land 
was bought for the most part during the years from 1831 
30 



to 1838, and the list embraces the names of the owners of 
its entire area during that period : 

,SVc/mH 1, 1836.*— John S. Rockwell, Je-sse W. Doolittle, 
Jeremiah O. Dennis, Sanford Sherman, Jacob Fegles, David 
Patterson. 

Section 2, 1835. — Asa Aldrich, A. N. Bradley, Sanford 
Sherman, Roswell Crippen, Erastus Allen, Martha Osborn. 

Section 3, 1835.— William Fraser, Daniel T. Olncy. 

Section 4, 1835. — Abram Aldrich, William Ball, Jacob 
W. Mann. 

Section 5, 1835. — Thomas Dougherty, Asa Aldrich, AI- 
mon II. White, Clinton Olney. 

Section 6, 1836. — Egbert N. Edmonds, Charles Buck- 
ingham, Almon II. White, Daniel E. Lewis, Thos. Olncy, 
Charles D. Smith, Clinton Olney. 

Section 7, 1835. — Ezekicl Barnhart, Levi Butler, Stephen 
Grant, Thomas Doughcrtj', Asa Aldrich. 

Section 8, 1834. — Asa Aldrich, Christian E.slow, Abram 
Aldrich, Asa White. 

Section 9, 1835. — Jacob W. Mann, James B. Tompkins, 
David Stanton, Asa Aldrich, Harlow S. Wright, William 
Vanblarcom. 

Section 10, 1835. — Sereuo B. Ames, Duncan McVean, 
Jacob W. Mann, Robert Rowley, Linard Boon, David D. 
Whitney. 

Section 11, 1835. — Duncan McYcan, Abram Tompkins, 
Frederick Turner, Hiram Barnes, Artemus Humeston, 
Moses John.son, Erastus Allen. 

Section 12, 1836. — AVm. N.Johnson, Elias Gage, Uriah 
]}. Church, Nathaniel Swarthout, Sanford Sherman, Patience 
Sherman, Wm. B. Conant. 

Section 13, 1835. — Ezra F. Faxon, Archibald Lewis, 
Elias Gage, Moses Johnson, Thomas Olney, Asa White, 
Milo White, Wm. N. Johnson. 

Section 14, 1835.— Wm. D.Rose, Elder Taylor, Abram 
Tompkins, Frederick Turner, Artemus Humeston, Nathaniel 
Swarthout, Samuel T. Sherifi". 

Section 15, 1830. — Robt. Clark, Jr., Abram F. Bolton, 
William MeCarty, Lot Gage, James B. Tompkins, John 
Strong. 

Section 16, 1837. — Aura Smith, Joseph Vanblarcom, 
Aaron P. Rose, Backus Fox, Harvey Spring, Franklin 
Barnes, Job Jordon, Bcnj. H. Smith, E. C. Jacokes. 

Section 17, 1830. — Martin Barnhart, Benj. H. Smith, 
Abram Aldrich, James Spencer. 

Section 18, 1831. — John Parkinson, Chauncey Barnes, 
Timothy Robinson, Abram Aldrich, Martin Barnhart, Isaac 
Barnhart. 

Section 10, 1833. — A. and W. Aldrich, Martin Barn- 
hart, W. Aldrich, E. S. Barnhart, Wm. Kcl.so, Content 
Smith, James Pendill, John Root, Wm. Rose, Hannah M. 
Allen. 

Section 20, 1830.— Henry Van Hyning, Benj. H. Smith, 
James Craig, Samuel Eslow, John Worden. 

Section 21, 1830.— John Corbus, Hugh Campbell, Maria 
Fowler, Smith & Corbus, Joseph C. Corbus, Jiio. B. Mason, 
John liyon, Octavus Ma.son. 

Srrtion 22, 1830.— Ivlward S, llaiiehett, Robert Clark, 



* DoiiutcB tho ycnr tlio first purclia.sc was made upon each section. 



234 



niSTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Jr., Lot Gage, Stephen Hickox, John Worden, Joseph C. 
Corbus, Joseph Vanblarcom. 

Section 23, 1835. — James B. Tompkins, Jacob W. 
Mann, Obediah Downing, Ambrose W. Downing, Jonathan 
Taylor, Robert Gorball. 

Section 24, 1835. — Ambrose W. Downing, Joseph Van- 
blarcom, Ezra T. Faxon, Jacob W. Mann, David Riley, 
Cephas W. Clapp. 

Section 25, 1836. — Lorenzo Winslow, George Ncthaway, 
Peries Lincoln, John Worden, John Abram, Jacob 0. 
Birtch, Jehosaphat Gorball, Joel Chaffee. 



Sectii 



iG, 1836. — Margaret Bcckman, Lorenzo Wins 



low, George Nethaway, John Cole, Robei't Gorball. 

Section 27, 1835. — Beal H. Randall, Daniel Bronson, 
John Worden, Benj. P. Wright, Anthony Beckman, Lo- 
renzo Winslow, Ma.son Chase, Aura Smith. 

Section 28, 1834. — Stephen Hickox, Allen Cobb, James 
Pierce, Lyman Fox, James B. Tompkins, John Moore, 
Daniel Bronson. 

Section 29, 1831. — Henry Van Hyning, David B. 
Ogden, James Craig, Asa Aldrich, Allen Cobb, Thomas 
Brewer, John Moore. 

Section 30, 1833.— William Aldrich, Stephen Birdsall, 
Job Barnhart, Abram Aldrich. 

Section 31, 1833. — Asa Aldrich, Israel Ho.ig, Harris 
Aldrich, H. H. Aldrich, Lyman Sherman, Joel Woodard. 

Section 32, 1835.— Israel Hoag, William Aldrich, Oc- 
tavus Mason, Elijah Murray, Asa Aldrich. 

Section 33, 1836. — Octavus JMason, Elijah Murray, 
Philo Dibble, Joseph Vanblarcom, Samuel Kingston. 

Section 34, 1836.— Charles P. Dibble, George Turner, 
Cornelius Vanaken. 

Section 35, 1836. — Andrew Shaffer, Aura Smith, Backus 
Fox, Lorenzo D. Crippen, Philo H. Crippen. 

Section 36, 1836. — George Nethaway, Lyman Fox, 
George Rosecrans, David L. Hutchinson, Horatio N. Mon- 
roe, James H. Vanaken, Zeliok W. Baker. 

CIVIL HISTORY. 

By an act of the Legislative Council of the Territory of 
Michigan, approved March 7, 1834, Girard was formed 
from Coldwater and Prairie River townships. 

Its boundaries originally, and the place for holding the 
first township-meeting, were by that act defined as follows : 

"Section 9. All th.at part of the county of Branch comprised in 
surveyed townships 5 south, in ranges 5, 6, 7, and S we?t, be a town- 
ship by the name uf Girard, and the first township-meeting be held 
at the school-house in said township." 

We thus find that, beginning with the old township of 
Green,* Girard was the fourth township organized in the 

* Until June 29, 18.12, Green township included all the territory 
in the county of Branch. The Legislative Council of Michigan 
Territory, by an act ai)proved at the date aforesaiil, enacted as 
follows : 

"All that part of the county of Branch known and distinguished 
on the survey of the United .states as townships numbered 5, 6, 7 
and fractional township S, south of the base line, in ranges numbered 
5 and (i, west of the principal meridian, be a township by the name 
of Coldwater, and the first township-meeting shall be held at the 
house of John Morse, in said township." 

The remainder of the county was formed into a township called 
Prairie River, and the first township-meeting therein was ordered to 



county, and, until 1836, contained within its limits the 
present towns of Butler, Girard, Union, and Sherwood. 

Sherwood, including Union, was set off as a separate 
township in 1836, and Butler in 1838. 

The inhabitants, in the petition to the Legislature pray- 
ing for the formation of a new township, sent forward the 
name of " Fairfield" as the one which suited them best. 
Lenawee County, however, anticipated the Girard constitu- 
ency in this particular, and their representive then sug- 
gested the name of Girard, which was adopted. It is 
derived, no doubt, from the Philadelphia millionaire, whose 
name was widely known at that period. 

FIRST TOWN ELECTION. 

"Proceedings of the first annual township-meeting, held at the 
school-house in Girard township, Monday, April 7, 1834, in accord- 
ance with the law organizing said township. The meeting was or- 
ganized by choosing John Parkinson Moderator, and Joseph C. 
Corbus, Clerk, who were duly sworn according to law. 

"The following-named town officers were then chosen by ballot: 
James B. Tompkins, Sujiervisor; Jose])h C. Corbus, Town Clerk j 
Benjiimin 11. Smith, John Parkinson, Justus Goodwin, Commissioners 
of Highways; James G. Corbus, William Aldrich, Robert Waldron, 
Assessors; James McCarty, Collector and Constable: Stephen Hickox, 
Samuel Craig, Asa Aldrich, Commissioners of Schools; James Cr.aig, 
Asa Aldrich, Overseers of the Poor; Benjamin H. Smith, James B. 
Tompkins, Joseph C. Corbus, Martin Barnhart, John Parkinson, In- 
spectors of Schools; District 1, Stephen Hickox; District 2, Martin 
Barnhart ; District 3, Asa .\ldrich, Overseers of Highw.ays. 

" Moved and carried th.at the Overseers of the Poor be Pound- 
masters. 

" Jicsulccd, That for all wolves killed within the town, over four 
months old, there be paid one dollar, and fm- all under four months, 50 
cents each. 

" Ilesulccd, That the next town-meeting be held at the house of Mr. 
Aldrich, at the mill. 

(Signed) 

" John Parkinson, Moderator. 
" Joseph C. Corbus, Clerk, 
"James B. Tomi-kins, J. P." 

At an election held in Girard township, April 4, 1835, 
for a delegate to the convention to form a State constitu- 
tion, Lewis T. Jliller received 15 votes, and Silas A. Hol- 
brook, 14 votes. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

Suiiervisors. Town Clerks. Collectors. 

18.34. James B. Tompkins. Joseph C. Corbus. James McCarty. 

1S35. " " " " Lyman Aldrich. 

1836. " " " " Beal H. Rand.all. 

1837. " " Aura Smith. Robert Gorball. 
183S. " " Joseph C. Corbus. Rodney 0. Smith. 

Treasurers. 

1839. Martin Barnhart. " " Sol'n L. Lawrence. 

1840. James B. Tompkins. Peter I, Mann. Mason Chase. 

1841. " " Aura Smith. " " 

1842. " " Daniel T. Olney. Aura Smith. 

1843. " " Joseph C. Corbus. " " 

1844. " " " " Robert Rowley. 

1845. " " " 

1S46. Martin Barnhart. " " Harvey L. Worden. 

1847. Ellas Gage. Daniel T. Olney. Moses Tompkins. 

1S4S. James B. Tompkins. Peter I. Miinn. Aura Smith. 

1849. Sol. L. Lawrence. Joseph C. Corbus. " " 

1850. Aura Smith. " " Moses Tompkins. 

1851. James B.Tompkins. " " Aura Smith. 



be held at the house of Jabez Bronson. In other words, the east half 
of the county was formed into a town called Coldwater, and the west 
half was Prairie River township. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



235 



Superviflon. 
1S52. Aura Siuitli. 
186;!. •' 
ISoJ. " " 
ISaj. " " 
ISJt). Jauies B.Toiii|ikin!». 
1857. " 
lSo8. " 

1861). Attibroi<c Baldwin. 
ISfitl. Aura .<^iuilb. 
18C.1. " 

1802. Enos T. ToJd. 
lSO:t. " 
ISGl. " " 

1865. " " 

rsiJIi. J. C. Pierce. 

1867. '■ " 

1868. Ambrose Baldwin. 

1869. (Jeorgo \V. Vauaken. 

1870. " " 

1871. " " 

1872. " " 

1873. " " 

1874. " " 

1875. " " 

1876. " " 
1877. 

1878. " " 



Town Clerks. 
Joseph C. CorbuB. 

Jerciniuh Harding. 
.Tedediah Tuuipkins 
S. B. Corljus. 
Cbarlcs II. Burr. 
A. I!. Day. 
Philander George. 



Treaaurers. 
Joseph Hudson. 
Stephen I). Rainier. 
David Chauncey. 
George B. Johnson. 
Asa Perry. 
Michael .Shannon. 
Jcdcdiah Tompkins. 
Michael .Shannon. 



A. J. Chaunccy. 

J. B. Williams. 
Dan. S. Vanblarcom. 
J. }i. AVilliuins. 



A. C. Williams. 
Michael Shannon. 

H ti 

C. A. Tompkins. 
Sherman Osborn. 
James E. Perry. 



James E. Perry. 



John B. Williams. 
James E. Perry. 



A. C.Williams. 
Ban'] S. Vanblarcom. 
Cassias H. Brown. 
Stillin'n E. Lawrence. 
Wm. S, Variblaruum. 

Jumes E. Perry. 
Wm, S. Vanblarcom, 



JUSTICES OF THE PKACE. 



1834 


.Tames B. Tompkins. 


1865 


Allen C. Shepardson. 


1836 


James B. Tompkins. 




John H. Clements. 




John B. Mason. 


1856. 


John Bemarost. 




Joseph C. Corbus. 




Joseph C. Corbus. 


1S.-57. 


James B. Tompkins. 


1857. 


Ambrose Baldwin. 


1838. 


Joseph C. Corbus. 


1858 


Enos T. Todd. 


1839. 


Allen CobI). 


1859. 


Allen C. Shepardson 




William Aldrich. 


1860. 


Jedediah Tompkins. 


1840. 


Cornelius Vanakcn. 


1861. 


Philander George. 




A. N. Bradley. 


1862. 


Enos T. Todd. 


1841 


Elias Gage. 


1864. 


J. D. Smith. 


1842. 


Joseph C. Corbus. 


1865. 


J. C. Pierce. . 




A. N. Bradley. 


1866. 


Enos T. Todd. 


1844. 


Allen Cobb. 


1867. 


A. R. Day. 




Peter I. Mann. 


1868. 


Allen C. Shepardson. 


1845. 


Ambrose Baldwin. 




S. E. Spencer. 




George ^V. Stray. 


1869. 


Sylvester E. Spencer. 


1846. 


Joseph C. Corbus. 




Ames Markham. 


1847. 


Philip Manchester. 


1870. 


George A. Russell. 


1818. 


Thomas E. Champion. 


1871. 


A. L. Smith. 


1849. 


AlUn Cobb. 




John Walker. 


1850. 


Joseph C. Corbus. 


1872. 


A. R. Day. 




Ambrose Baldwin. 


1873. 


Amos Markham. 




Joseph Spencer. 


1874. 


Henry Pierce. 


1851. 


Alexander I.adow. 




0. E. Peer. 




Ale.tander C. Williams. 


1875. 


Jonathan D. Smith. 


1852. 


Alexander C. Williams. 


1876. 


Amasa R. Day. 


1853. 


.\mbrose Baldwin. 


1877. 


Reuben A. Milligan. 


1854. 


Enos T. Todd. 


1878. 


George A. Russell. 




Allen ShcpardsoQ. 




C. E. Peer. 




Joscjih Hudson. 







rOSIMISSIONKHS OK IllGIIttAyS 

1834. Benjamin H. Smith. 
John Parkinson. 
Justus Goodwin. 

1835. Nathan Sargent. 
Benjamin II. .Smith. 
Abrara .Mdrieh. 

1836. Harris Aldrich. 
John Wordcn. 
Benjamin II. Smith. 

1837. A. N. Bradley. 
Backus Fox. 
Cornelius V^maken. 



1838. Joseph Vanblarcom. 
Martin Barnbart. 

1839. Solomon L. Lawrence. 
Benjamin 11. Smith. 

1840. James B. Tompkins. 
Peter I. Mann. 
Abram Vanblarcom. 

1841. James B. Tompkins. 
Joseph Vanblarcom. 
Cornelius Vanakcn. 

1842. John H. Clement. 
Abram Tompkins. 



1842. Harris Aldrich. 
1844. John II. Clement. 

Elias Gage. 

Joseph Vanblarcom. 
1S45. Levi Butler. 

Henry Pierce. 

Cornelius A^anakeu. 

1846. Philander Gould. 
Joseph Vanblarcom. 

1847. Joseph C. Corbus. 
George W. Stray. 
David C. Gould. 

1848. Abram Tompkins. 
David C. Gould. 

1849. Daniel Cornell, Jr. 

1850. Rodney 0. Smith. 
Alexander C. Williams. 

1851. Abram Tompkins. 

1852. James Spencer. 

1853. Robert Gorball. 

1854. Edwin Wheeler. 

1855. .Tames Spencer. 
Ira Markham. 

1856. M'illiam Babcock. 



1857. John H. Clement. 

1858. Rodney 0. Smith. 

1859. Backus Fo.x. 
Sylvester E. Spencer. 

1860. Backus Fo.v. 

1861. Ambrose Baldwin. 

1862. Allen C. Shepardson. 

1863. S. E. Spencer. 

1864. Ambrose Baldwin. 

1865. J. D. Smith. 

1866. Allen C. Shc|iardson. 
Sylvester E. Spencer. 

1867. Ambrose Baldwin. 

1868. Sylvester E. Spencer. 

1869. Allen C. Shepardson. 

1870. Ambrose Baldwin. 
1S71. William Rose. 

Durfec Barnhart. 

1872. Durfec Barnhart. 

1873. Curtis Prentiss. 
R. F. Parker. 

1874-77. Prosper C. Johnson. 
1878. Ira L. Nve. 



INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 

Roads. — The fullowinp; is the description of the first 
highwaj' laid out hy towiisliiji authorities : 

" Commencing at the county line at the corners of sec- 
tions 33 and 34, township 4 south, range 6 west, and sec- 
tions 3 and 4 of town.ship 5 south, range G west, and runs 
thence soutli on section line nine miles to the corners of 
sections 15, 16, 21, and 22, of township G south, range G 
west. 

" Surveyed by J. B. Tompkins, July, 1S31. M^illiaui 
H. Cross and Edward S. Hanchett, Highway CommLssioners 
of the township of Green, St. Jo.seph Co., Territory of 
Jlichigan." 

Railroad. — The road-bed of the proposed Mansfield, 
Coldwater and Lake Michigan Railroad enters the township 
from the south, and intcr.socting sections 33, 28, 21, 16, 9, 
8, 5, and G, leaves it near the northwest corner. The 
work was performed in 1872. Residents of Girard by 
subscriptions paid in about 817,000 to assist in its con- 
struction. 

Bitches. — Of late years a system of ditching lias been 
inaugurated, which has greatly incretised the value of lands. 
The work is superintended by a drain commissioner, who 
is elected annually. 

STATISTICAL— 1839-1874. 

A comparative statement of the number of inhabitants, 
acres owned and improved, live stock, agricultural resotirces, 
etc., of 1839 vs. 1874. 

1839. 

Martin Barnhart, 396 acres wild land, 85 improved, 4 horses. 

John Parkinson, 215 acres wild, 25 improved, 1 horse, 1 wagon, 3 
cows. 

Jabcz Aldrich, 110 acres wild, 70 improved, 1 horse, 1 wagon. 

Harris II. Aldrich, 160 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 cows. 

llains Aldrich, 200 acres wild, 40 improved, 1 ox, 2' cows. 

Samuel Butcher, 2 cows. 

Stephen Birdsall, 72 acres wild, 8 improved, 1 wagon, 2 o.\en, 2 
cows. 

Benj. H. Smith, 320 acres wild, 120 improved, 4 horses, 1 wagon, 6 
oxen, S cows. 

William Bidwell, 1 horse, 1 wagon. 



236 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



D. B. Ogdcn, 38 acres wild, 4 imiiroved, 2 cows. 
Asa Aldrich, 680 acres wild, 80 iTiiproved, 3 horses, 1 wagon, 4 oxen, 
3 cows. 

Lyman Aldrich, 130 acres wild, 30 imiirovcd, 2 oxen, 3 cows. 

Israel Hoag, 130 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 cows. 

Samuel Estlow, 192 acres wild, 8 iniiiroved, 2 cows. 

William Aldrich, 385 acres wild, 15 improved, 1 horse, 1 wagon, 2 
oxen, 1 cow. 

William Barker, 85 acres wild, 9 improved. 

David Stanton, 80 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 cow. 

Samuel and James Craig, 130 acres wild, 70 improved, 2 horses, 1 
wagon, 2 oxen, 15 cows. 

John Strong, 120 acres wild, 3 cows. 

Dennis Day, 2 cows. 

Allen Cobb, 120 acres wild, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

B. McDonald, 2 cows. 

Christi.in Estlow, 200 acres wild, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

William Eldridge, 160 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

AVilliam Rose, 110 acres wild, 10 improved, 1 wagon, 2 oxen. 

Chauncey Barnes, 80 acres wild, 1 horse, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

M. B. Barnhart, 170 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

John Worden, 190 acres wild, 2 improved, 3 horses, 1 wagon, 3 
cows. 

John Moore, 120 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 3 cows. 

Thomas Olney, 840 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 cows. 

Backus Fox, 80 acres wild, 2 horses, 1 wagon. 

B. H. Randall, 80 acres wild land. 

Stephen Hiokok, 120 acres wild, 2 oxen, 2 cows. 

James Pierce, 240 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

George Rosecrans, 40 acres wild, 1 cow. 

Aura Smith, store and goods, valued at $880. 

Rodney 0. Smith, 80 acres wild land. 

Cornelius Vanaken, 240 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 3 cows. 

Andrew Shaver, 200 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 2 cows. 

Joseph C. Corbus, 154 acres wild, 44 improved, 2 horses, 3 cows. 

John B. Mason, 160 acres wild, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

Jacob W. Mann, 065 acres wild, 35 improved, 1 wagon, 4 oxen, 3 
cows. 

Joseph Vanblarcom, 160 acres wild, 2 horses. 

Abram Vanblarcom, 150 acres wild, 10 im2)roved, 1 cow. 

John Vanblarcom, 160 acres wild, 2 horses. 

William Vanblarcom, 610 acres wild, 50 improved, 1 horse, 2 
wagons, 4 cows. 

Levi Kingston, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 1 cow. 

James B. Tompkins, 395 acres wild, 25 improved, 2 horses, 1 
wagon, 2 cows. 

John Rose, 80 acres wild land. 

Robert Gorball, 120 acres wild, 2 oxen. 

Lyman Fox, 405 acres wild, 25 improved, 2 horses, 1 wagon, 2 
oxen, 3 cows. 

John Corbus' estate, 115 acres wild, 45 acres improved. 

Benjamin P. Wright, 40 acres wild land. 

Peter I. Mann, 160 acres wild laud. 

Addict Bradley, 200 acres wild, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

Roswell Crippen, 73 acres wild, 1 cow. 

Joshua Whitney, 475 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen. 1 cow. 

Abram Tompkins, 240 acres wild, 2 oxen, 2 cows. 

Samuel White, 80 acres wild, 1 cow. 

Moses Johnson, 120 acres wild, 1 wagon, 2 oxen. 

Archibald Lewis, 80 acres wild, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

Elias Gage, 200 acres wild land. 

1S74. 

Population 1,313 

Number of farms 277 

'* acres in farm lands 22,518 

" " of wheat growing, June, 1874 3,776 

" " " harvested, 1873 3,073 

" " corn " " 1,733 

" . bushels of wheat " " 41,274 

" " corn " " 57,678 

" " all other grain, " 27,712 

'* " potatoes, '* 7,753 

" tons hay, " 2,074 

" jiounds wool sheared, " 15,250 

" " pork marketed, " 174,852 

" " cheese made, " 24,498 

" " butter made, " 78,590 



Number of pounds of fruit dried for market, 1873. 30,273 

" barrels cider made 677 

** pounds maple-sugar 5,008 

Horses over one year old, 1874 708 

Mules '. 8 

Work -ox en 1 li 

Milk cows 760 

Cattle other than cows and oxen 6S3 

Swine over six months old 1,017 

Sheep " " " 3,863 

Sheep sheared, 1873 3,740 

TILLAGES. 

The villaj;e of Girard occupies a central position in the 
township. It is built upon the corner of sections 15, 10, 
21, and 22, and is on the line of the proposed Mansfield, 
Coldwater and Lake Michigan Railroad, six miles due 
north from Coldwater. It contains three church edifices 
(Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, and Free-Will Baptist), three 
stores of general merchandise, a post-ofiice, which receives 
a daily mail, a district school-house with two departments, 
several small mechanic-shops, and about 150 inhabitants. 
The first settlers on or near its site were Richard Corbus, 
Edward S. Ilanchett, who erected the first frame barn in 
the township, on the northwest corner of section 22. John 
and Joseph C. Corbus, William McCarty, and James B. 
Tompkins. Aura Smith located on section 16, and sold the 
first goods in the township, about 1837. Dr. Chauncey, 
tlie first physician, came in September 19, 1843. Dr. 
Clizbe has been a resident physician since 1870. Drs. 
Arnold, Coleridge, Burnham, Allen, Brewster, and Bassett 
have also practiced here at difi"erent periods. 

SCHOOLS. 

It is stated by early residents that the first school-house 
in the township was situated near the northwest corner of 
the village, and w.as built about 1832 or 1833, and that 
the first teachers were Miss Laura Tibbetts, Miss Ames, 
and John B. Mason. 

The following is the earliest written record we can find 
concerning schools : 

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of school district No. 
1 , in the town of Girard, called for the purpose of taking 
action in regard to building a school-house, John Parkin- 
son was elected moderator, and John B. Mason clerk, 
whereupon it was voted to build a school-house 20 feet 
long and 18 feet wide, said house to be built of logs, and 
erected on the northwest corner of lauds now belonging to 
John B. Mason. The building is estimated to cost 807. 

"GiRABD, Nov. 19, 1834." 

The following statistics are gathered from the report of 
the board of school inspectors, made Sept. 1, 1878: 

AVhole No. of districts and parts of districts 10 

Number of whole districts 6 

** parts of district* 4 

*' school-houses in the township 10 

" stone school-houses 4 

" brick '* " ^ 

" framed ** *' 4 

Seating capacity of all the houses 489 

Value of school property $8800.00 

Number of children of school age residing in 

the township 411 

Number of children attending school during the 

year 392 

Number of graded schools 1 

" male teachers employed during the 

year ^ 

Number of female teachers employed during the 

year , 1^ 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



237 



Aggrcgnte number of months taught by mnle 

tmchiTS 2'JJ 

Aggregate number of months taught by female 

tenciiers ..; 50:^ 

Amount of yaliiry ]>ui(l t" mule teachers $111*.!. 7y 

** suhiry piiiti to feuiulc teachers 764. oO 

Total amount )>aid to teachers $18S4.25 

Whole nuuiber of volumes in tnwnslii|i library.... 236 

" •' aildeil iluring the year. 28 

Amount of fines rcooivcil from county treasurer... $18.78 

Amount pair! for books for township library $^3.55 

Tiital receipts for the year, inclutling cash on han'l 
Sept. 2. 1S77, two-mill tax, primary school fund, 
tail inn of non-resident scholars, and tlirect 

la.\alion $3266.66 

PATRONS OP UUSBANDllY. 

Gliard Grange, No. I'M), J', of II., was organized by 
Grand Deputy C. L. King with 60 charter members, Nov. 
25, 1873, and the following officer.s were duly chosen by 
ballot and installed for the year 1873: G. W. Vanakin, 
Master; G. A. Russell, Overseer; S. E. Spencer, Lecturer; 
G. W. Jones, Steward ; T. L. White, Asst. Steward ; R. 
R. Ilollinbeck, Chaplain; Amos Markham, Treas. ; A. L. 
Smith, Sec. ; J. M. Raldwin, Gatekeeper ; Mrs. G. W. 
Vanakin, Ceres; Mrs. I. L. Nye, Pomona; Miss Eva 
Paddock, Flora ; Mrs. J. M. Baldwin, Lady Asst. Steward. 

The grange has elected the .same Master and Secretary 
each succeeding year to and including the present one. 

The following persons compose the board of officers for 
the year 1879 : G. W. Vanakin, Master ; R. F. Parker, 
Ovei-seer ; G. W. Jones, Steward ; Warren Walker, Asst. 
Steward ; J. M. Walker, Chaplain ; S. E. Spencer, Lectu- 
rer; Wm. V. Worden, Treas.; A. L. Smith, Sec; M. 
Dyon, Gatekeeper; Miss Ida Vanblarcom, Ceres; Miss 
Cynthia Downs, Pomona ; Miss Adie Phillips, Flora ; Mrs. 
J. M. Baldwin, Lady Asst. Steward ; G. L. Palmer, 
Business Agent; B. H. Smith, Chorister; G. A. Russell, 
Asst. Chorister; Miss Eva Paddock, Organist. 

Number of present members, 102. 

The grange meets in the Girard Union town-hall on 
Wednesday evenings once in two weeks. 

CHURCHES. 
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The Methodists were the first to hold meetings of a re- 
ligious character in this township. As early as 1831 and 
'32, meetings were held at the residence of John Cornish, 
and in the school-house in later years. At these meetings 
the pioneers listened to the preachings of Allen Tibbetts, 
Rev. Mr. Colclasure, and other circuit preachers, as well as 
to several of their own local preachers, John B. Ma.son 
being among the latter class. 

The organization of the church as it exists to-day goes 
back to about the year 18-10. The records kept are in- 
complete and meagre. From them, however, we learn that 
the first board of trustees was composed of the following 
members : Lyman Fo.k, Mason Chase, Jo.seph C. Corbus, 
John Parkinson, Lyman Aldrich, Benjamin H. Smith, 
John Worden. 

The first church edifice was erected in the year 1844, 
costing not far from $1000. Levi Butler, one of the first 
members, was the builder, and Rev. Mr. Hudson piistor 
during the same time. 



The circuit ia which the Girard charge was situated, 
thirty-five years ago, embraced the following appointments : 
East Girard, West Girard, Bronson, Clizbo's (How Quincy), 
Brooks School-house, York's house, Branch, Day's, and 
Union. 

The first quarterly conference for the Girard circuit 
was held at the Girard meeting-house, Nov. 28, 1846. 

After the usual exerci.ses, on motion, Joseph C. Corbus 
was appointed .secretary. The following brethren, whose 
names are marked " p," were present: A. M. Fitch, P. E., 
p. ; W. E. Biglow, P. C, p. ; Jacob Hamlin, Ex., p. ; Ma- 
son Chase, C. L., p. ; E. Barker, C. L., p. ; S. White, C. 
L., p. ; John Reynolds, a. ; D. Powers, a. ; Abram Smith, 
p. ; Elisha Day, p. 

At this conference the following persons were elected 
stewards of the church : Lyman Fox, Hiram Clizbe, John 
Parkinson, David Powers, Jesse Brooks, Joseph C. Corbus, 
and John Bussett. 

The following receipts were reported to this conference : 
East Girard, SS.4.5 ; West Girard, S14.35 ; Brooks Class, 
SI. 00 ; York Hou.se, SO.OO ; Bronson, $0.00 ; Clizbe, SO. 00 ; 
Public Collection, $3.36. 

The settlement of the board of stewards with the pastor. 
Rev. W. E. Biglow, at the close of the same year (1846) 
was as follows: " Quarterage, $216 ; table expen.ses, $50 ; 
housG-rent, SIO; moving and fire-wood, S29." 

Mr. Biglow has been succeeded by the following-named 
pastors: Revs. D. C. Jacokes, 1847; II. Penfield, 1849; 
V. G. Boynton (who was promised, in addition to a small 
salary, "a glorious good donation"^, 1851 ; Nathan Mount, 
1853; Noah Fassett, 1855; I. L Buell, 1857; L N. 
Thomas, 1858 ; I. Taylor (the Chrysostom of the Michigan 
Conference), 1859 ; T. J. Hill, 1860 ; George Lee, 1861 ; 
J. J. Clubine, 1SG2 ; T. J. Congdon, 18G4 ; Isaac Bennett, 
1865 ; I. Taylor, 1867 ; W. H. Ware (the boy-preacher), 
1868 ; A. A. Dunton, 1869 ; F. Gage, 1871 ; E. H. Day 
(who, because of his genial fjualities, remained three 3'ears), 
1872 ; W. M. Paddock, 1875; and W. M. Colby, the pres- 
ent pastor, 1878. 

The church edifice was repaired in 1848 at a cost of 
about $700 ; and again in 1876, making it substantially a 
new structure, at a cost of $3000. It has sittings for 300 
people, which are all taken. The present membership 
numbers 160. Number of pupils in Sabbath-school, 80. 
Ira Nye, Sunday-school Superintendent. Mr. George W. 
Stray served as superintendent of Sabbath-schools for a 
period of twenty years. 

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The first meeting of this society was held at the house 
of William Vanblarcom, in Girard, AVednesday, June 8, 
1851. Those present formed themselves into a conference, 
looking to the formation of an independent church. Rev. 
Edwin Eaton, of the Coldwater Cliurch, offered prayer, 
and delivered a brief discourse as to their duties. The 
constituent member of this society, thirteen in number, had 
all been members of the Coldwater and Tekonsha Churches. 
Their names were as follows : " William Vanblarcom, E. 
M. Waldo, George B. Johnson, Amasa R. Day, E. T. 
Todd, Mary Smith, Harriet C. Day, Sarah Burr, Mary 



238 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Vanblarcom, Matilda B. Waldo, Alvina Todd, Eunice L. 
Burr, and Mary Olney. 

E. T. Todd was the first deacon elected, and remains as 
such at the present time. During tlie first year of its 
existence. Elder Eaton preached to the society once in four 
weeks; Rev. John Sage was called in December, 1860; 
Daniel Peace came 1862 ; Thomas Robinson, 18C3 ; H. C. 
Beals, 1868; William H. Prentiss, 1870; A. M. Buck, 
1872; William Remington, 1874; J. H. Crooker, 1875; 
and E. R. Clark, the present pastor, in April, 1878. 

Soon after the formation of the society Mr. William 
Vanblarcom bought the old district school-house for the 
sum of 8300, and presented it to the church. It was re- 
paired, reseated, and, until the partial completion of the 
new church-edifice, was in use as their house of worship. 

The lot on which the present church edifice is built was 
purchased of H. E. Carle, in October, 1872, at a cost of 
$200. Nov. 27, 1875, E. T. Todd, Reuben Milligan, and 
J. J. Hudson were appointed a building committee, " to 
mature and carry out plans for building a church edifice." 
The structure was commenced in 1876, and at the present 
time the exterior and bu.sement story only are completed. 
It has cost thus far about S2000. Present membership, 
40. Number of scholars in Sabbath-school classes, 50. 
Mr. 0. L. Smart, Sunday-school superintendent. 

FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH. 

This society was organized May 10, 1849, by Elders 
Elwood, Whitcomb, and J. J. Wilkins. The original mem- 
bers were thirteen in number, as follows : L. Y. Limbocker, 
Diadama Limbocker, John Loring, Mary Loring, N. M. 
Millard, Cynthia Millard, Charles Lane, Henry Aurend. 
Matilda Aurend, Alexander Ladow, John Smart, Anna 
Cutler, and Mary J]. Cutler. The present church edifice 
was erected in 1856. It cost, with bell, $1600, and has 
sittings for 225 persons. The building committee consisted 
of Elder Elijah Cook, James B. Tompkins, H. Coddington, 
A. Hoard, and S. King.ston. 

Their first pastor was Rev. J. J. Wilkins, who remained 
four years. He has been followed in subsequent years by 
Revs. Elijah Cook, L. B. Whitcomb, F. P. Anger, E. G. 
Chadock, H. E. Whipple, M. R. Kenney, E, J. Reville, 
and Elder Morey. 

The society is small in numbers, and without a pastor at 
the present writing. 

Our acknowledgments are due to Hon. James B. Tomp- 
kins, Peter I. Mann, Joseph Vanblarcom, Dr. Moses E. 
Chauncey, Rev. W. M. Colby, A.R. Day, Henry E. Carle, 
N. M. Millard, James E. Perry, Mrs. B. H. Smith, Mrs. 
S. A. Smith (of Quincy), the Misses Craig, and many 
others, to all of whom we desire to return our sincere 
thanks for the valuable information derived from them. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

DR. MOSES E. CHAUNCEY. 
Among the prominent physicians for whom Branch 
County is noted, none occupy a more enviable position 



than Dr. Moses E. Chauncey. A residence of over thirty- 
six years in Girard, during which time he has been actively 
engaged in the duties of his profession, has not only fully 
demonstrated his ability as a physician, but his worth as a 
citizen. 

He was born in Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Nov. 15, 
1809. His parents were New England people, and early 
settlers in Saratoga. Mr. Chauncey lived at home, assisting 
them on the farm summers, and attending school winters, 
acquiring a fair education. In the winters of 1842 and 
1843 he attended the Albany Medical College, graduating 
with honor, and afterwards graduated at the Cincinnati 
Eclectic College. 

He came to Girard, Mich., Sept. 19, 1843, and com- 
menced practice immediately. He married Lucinda, daugh- 
ter of Abraham and Sally (Cook) Hudson, of Galway, N. Y., 
who died Nov. 8, 1860. He married again in May, 1862. 

In polities Dr. Chauncey is a staunch Democrat of the 
Jacksonian type. 



HENRY PIERCE. 



Henry Pierce was born among the Green Mountains of 
Vermont, Dec. 5, 1808, the eldest of ten children. He 
accompanied his father, when a lad of eight years, to 
Orleans Co., N. Y., where they were occupied with farming 
pur-suits. He was married Nov. 9, 1834, to Miss Betsey, 
daughter of Silas and Lavinia (Clark) Beebe, at Claren- 
don, Orleans Co., N. Y. Mrs. Pierce was also a Vermont 
lady, having been born in Clarendon, in that State. Mr. 
and Mrs. Pierce were lured by the charms of the West 
to emigrate, and in 1839 came to the township of Girard, 
and purchased forty acres of land on section 7, establishing 
a home at that point. They have had three children, all 
of whom are now deceased. Mr. Pierce passed through 
some interesting experiences during his early pioneer life. 
The land he purchased cost two hundred and fourteen 
dollars, and when paid for left him but fourteen dollars, 
the money being in bills of a broken bank. For months 
they were reduced to one silver sixpence, which embraced 
all their cash capital. He cleared twenty acres without a 
team, and the remainder with a pair of young oxen. Later 
he disposed of his fiirm, which contained one hundred and 
five acres, and moved to Girard Centre, in 1868. Mr. and 
Blrs. Pierce are now in comfortable circumstances, and en- 
joying in advanced years the result of their industry and 
enterprise. 



MRS. ELIZA CRAIG. 

Among the pioneers of Branch County the name of Mrs. 
Eliza Craig, of Girard, deserves conspicuous mention. She 
was the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Downes, and was 
born May 25, 1795, in the county of Armagh, Ireland. 
Determining to emigrate to the new country across the 
Atlantic, she sailed in April, 1821, and took up her resi- 
dence in Morristown, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. While 
there she married Samuel Craig, Dec. 2, 1823. In 1829, 
having a desire to explore the prairie lands of Michigan, 
they started for the West, and first located in the township 



^ 




DR, Moses E Chauncey. 





^ENRY PlEf^CE. 




^1RS.f^ENRY P\E^CE. 



JWrs Euza CRA\Q. 

( fHOTOC St ;'IHDM*lfB f 



IIISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



239 



of Allen, Uillsdiklc Co., two years later coming to Girard. 
Mrs. Craig enjoyed the jiroud distinction of giving birth 
to tlie first white male child iu Girard, who was born the 
4tli of Soiitoniber of the same year. We clip the lollow- 
ing fVum a leading county paper, as giving a fair estimate 
of the character of Mrs. Craig: "She has always been an 
upright, conscientious, Ciiristiaii lady, joining the Presby- 
terian Church in this city in 1843. She was a kind and 
con.siderate mother, an excellent neighbor, and a woman 
whom all of her acquaintances loved. She was a good 
specimen of the pioneer mothers of our county, ever ready j 
and willing to extend a helping hand to the poor and needy, 
and God had spared her life to see the prairie that was her 
home for so many years become one of the most populous 



and fertile parts of our county, dotted with happy homes 
and surrounded by schools and churches, whose bells rang 
out sweet music to this aged Christian mother. May her 
memory remain green in the hearts of all who knew her!'" 
Mr. and Mrs. ('raig had six children, namely, JIary Jane, 
James, David, Daniel, Samuel, and Eliza. James and 
Daniel died the 2S(h of August, 1841, in Girard. Samuel 
died the 2d of January, 185G, in Eureka, Cal. The three 
remaining children are residents of Girard, and live on 
property left them by their parents. Samuel Craig emi- 
grated from the same locality with his wife some years 
earlier, and died March 2, 1847. Mrs. Craig at the time 
of her death had reached the good old age of eighty-three 
years. 



ALGANSEE. 



Al.0.4NSEF,, designated in the United States survey as 
township No. 7 south, of range No. 5 west, is situated 
upon the east border of the county, southeast from Cold- 
water City. It is bounded on the east by Hillsdale County, 
north by Quincy, west by Ovid, and south by California, 
townships in Branch County. 

Its surfiice is rolling, and well drained by numerous small 
creeks. Originally it was heavily timbered, except the 
southwest corner, where were found several hundred acres 
of burr-oak openings. 

The principal streams are known locally as Hanchett and 
Bickford Creeks, deriving their names from those of early 
settlers. The former flows in a northwest course through 
the centre of the township, and empties its waters into 
Marble Lake. The latter takes its rise from a small lake, 
situated upon section 27, and flows thence westerly across 
the southwest corner. 

Bartholomew Lake lies wholly within section 7, while 
Middle Lake and the southern part of JIarble Lake occupy 
portions of .sections 4, 5, 0, 7, aTid 8. Other small lakes 
are found upon sections !), 23, and 27. The entire lake 
surface of the township includes an area of about 700 
acres. 

The soil consists of a sandy loam, intermixed with a 
dark vegetable mould. It is of good (|uality, and in the 
amount and nature of its products compares favorably with 
other townships in the county. 

FIRST LAND E.VTRIF.S. 

The flrst entries for lands in this township were made by 
Jedcdiah Jessup, of .Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept. 12, 1835, 
being the northeast one-fourth of section 30 ; Charles But- 
ler, of New York City, bought all of section ] , and the 
north one-half of section 12, Nov. 9, 1835 ; Asahel Brown 
pait of .'cctions :!1 and .■'.2, Jan. 1, 183G; Nathan Austin, 



the same date, lOO acres of section 32; Luther Styles, 160 
acres on section I), Jan. C, 1830; and Ludovicus Bobbins 
720 acres on sections 15 and 22, Mar. 31, 1836. 

The following list embraces the names of those who pur- 
chased of the government subsequently : 

Section 1, 1835.*— Charles Butler. 

Section 2, 1835.— Allen Hubbard, Sumner & Clark, 
Jason Ransom, George Smith. 

Section 3, 1830.— Moses Hill, Jesse Hill, Elijah Hill, 
Nelson N. Sprague, Sumner & Clark. 

Section 4, 1836. — Sumner & Clark, Zenas C. Conley, 
Ralph Grow, Zina H. Hastings, Mary Ann Wright, Lucas 
Joseph. 

Section 5, 1857. — Silas Crane. 

Section 6, 1836. — Eli Gray, Eoswell J. Ilayward, John 
Easton, Norman Barber, Alexander S. Berry, Isaac Wethey, 
Charles W. Felt. 

Section 7, 1836. — Hiram Alden, Roswell J. Hayward, 
A. S. SIo.ss, Sardis Johnson, Eli Culver. 

Section 8, 1836. — William S. Hawkins, Horace New- 
comb, Sumner & Clark. 

Section 9, 1836. — Luther Stiles, James II. Hanchett, 
Ira S. Mudge. 

Section 10, 1836. — Daniel Williams, Cicero Webster, 
Peter D. Post, Cornelius Post, Jr., Jacob Nichols, Isaac 
Ambler. 

Section 11, 1836. — Abraham Phillips, Charles Powell, 
Sumner & Clark, Almon H. White. 

Section 12, 1835. — Charles Butler, Charles Powell, 
Samuel II. Gale, Ilarvey Carpenter, Thomas B. Palmer. 

Section 13, 1836. — Morris Crater, Lazarus Culver, 
Henry Phelps, Wiiliani John.son. David Johnson. 



* The figures denote the year the first purchase was made upon 
each section. 



240 



HISTOKY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Section 14, 1836. — Abraliani I'liillips, Sumner & Clai'k. 

Section 15, 1836. — Ludovicu.s Rubbins, Benjamin Stout, 
William R. Hawkins, Sumner k Clark. 

Section 16, 1849.— L. B. Bobbins. 

Section 17, 1836. — Richard Abbey, Horace Newcomb, 
William Easton, Nancy Barber, Alpbeus Hill. 

Section 18, 1836. — Roswell J. Hayward, Sumner & 
Clark, C. B. Jones, Jolin F. Packard, Jonathan Bick- 
ford, Jasper Underbill, Cbarles Bickford. 

Section 19, 1836.— Orriu Wyllys, Benjamin Tindall, 
Azam Purdy, Isaac George, Samuel M. Dennison, Stephen 
Wbitehouse, Oliver Fuller, Reuben J. Chainplin. 

Section 20, 1836. — John Ackerson, Pbilip H. Jewell, 
Henry Buell, H. D. Mudge, An.son Beardsley, Carlton V. 
Clark, Aaron Tompkins. 

Section 21, 1837. — William Pronti.ss, Eleazer Baker, 
Jonathan Bickford, Hiram Thompson, Lucas Joseph, 
Aaron Simpkins, Benjamin Craig, Enos G. Berry. 

Section 22, 1836. — Ludovicus Bobbins, Allen Hubbard, 
William R. Hawkins, Josiah Burge. 

Section 23, 1836. — Allen Hubbard, Isaac Bradle, Thomas 
Dougherty, Silas Crane, William Johnson, Isaac F. Camp. 

Section 24, 1836. — James Patterson, Henry Phelps, 
Ezekiel Gardner. 

Section 25, 1836. — James Patter.son, Orange Dean, Jr., 
Ansel Nichols, p]zekiel Gardiner, Henry Phelps, David 
Johnson, Elias Hakes. 

Section 26, 1836. — James Patterson, Jason Cowles, 
A. Mosely, Avory Farnham, William Lawson Coe, Harry 
Teal. 

Section 27, 1836. — Joseph 11. Williams, Ezekiel Gard- 
ner, Alvah N. Jones, Isaac Quimby, Samuel Mowry. 

Section 28, 1836.— Joseph R. Williams, Horace Purdy, 
Joseph Farrar, Silas Crane, Isaac George. 

Section 29, 1836. — William Martin, Horace Purdy, 
Jesse Craft, Otis Wilter, David Tift, Benjamin F. Rich- 
mond, James Nichols, Isaac George, Benjamin Craig, 
Daniel Bickford. 

Section 30, 1835. — Jedediah Jessup, William Martin, 
Orrin Wyllys. 

Section 31, 1836. — Asahel Brown, Samuel Mulhollen, 
Joshua Baker, Jasper Underbill. 

Section 32, 1836. — Nathan Austin, Asahel Brown, 
Thomas Blackwood. 

Section 33, 1836. — Thomas Pratt, Ezra S. E. Brainard, 
Abigail Shumway, Asahel Brown, Joseph R. Williams. 

Section 34, 1836. — Sumner & Clark, Joseph W. Law- 
rence, Jr., Joseph W. Lawrence, Ezekiel Gardner, Joseph 
R. Williams. 

Section 35, 1836. — Sumner & Clark, Ezekiel Gardner, 
Jesse Doyle, Orsamon Hortou, Gideon Draper, Arunah 
Mosely, Charles Peaslee, Joshua Pridgeon, Carlton V. 
Clark, John Doyle. 

Section 36, 1836. — Rodolphus E. Knight, William Bar- 
row, Ezekiel Gardner. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

From the best sources of information now obtainable, it 
is believed that Luther Stiles and Ludovico or Ludovicus 
Bobbins were the finst settlers in the territory now known 



as Algansee township. They had visited the locality pre- 
viously, had purchased their lands of the government, and 
erected, or caused to be erected, each a good, substantial log 
dwelling-house. Stiles' purchase consisted of 240 acres 
upon .section 9, and Robbins' of 560 acres upon sections 
15 and 22. Although not traveling together, nor from 
the same locality, nor in any way concerned as partners, by 
a curious coincidence, both moved their families into the 
township the same day. 

Until after leaving the Chicago road the elder had the 
lead, but by his team becoming" stalled," — a very frequent 
occurrence in those days, — Stiles passed him, and reached 
his domicile — which had neither floor, doors, or windows 
— first. 

Mr. Robbins came from Erie Co., N. Y., and was accom- 
panied by .some four or five sons. He was a Presbyterian 
minister, a tall, muscular man, a devout Christian, and 
noted among the early settlers for his many eccentricities. 

Luther Stiles in the fall of 1836, in partnership with 
Morris Crater, began the construction of a saw-mill, which 
was finished in February, 1837. This was the first mill 
erected in the township, and stood upon the site of the 
present old mill, known as the Tompkins saw-mill. During 
the year 1837, Stiles sold out his one-half interest in the 
mill to Crater, and removed from the township. 

Morris Crater came from Lima, Livingston Co., N. Y., 
and arrived in the township " the day after the Fourth 
of July, I did," 1836. He purchased lands upon section 
13, but after a period of about five years he sold out and 
removed to his present residence in Quincy township. 

Asahel Brown, for many years the one prominent man 
among all others in the township, came from Monroe Co., 
N. Y., and settled in Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1832, where 
he remained for about four years, when, having purchased 
800 acres of the government, situated upon sections 31,32, 
and 33, he removed his family to their present location, 
July 3, 1836. His purchase was largely composed of burr- 
oak openings, easily brought into cultivation, and being the 
possessor of two strong yoke of oxen, seed, and the neces- 
sary amount of capital, which he had gained by the sale of 
his property in Lenawee, he was enabled to plow ;ind sow 
to wheat forty acres during the fall of 1836. He was the 
first supervisor of the township, and was re-elected, and 
served in that capacity for a period of twenty-one years. 
He also represented Branch County in the State Legislature 
and in constitutional conventions, reference to which is 
more particularly made in a biographical sketch accompany- 
ing his portrait. 

John Ackerson, who purchased the first land upon sec- 
tion 22, came from the .southern part of Ohio, and settled 
a few weeks later than Mr. Brown. His son Abraham and 
an adopted daughter, Katy, were the first to be married in 
the township. They were married by Samuel Beach in 
the spring of 1837. 

In September, 1836, Ezra S. E. Brainard, accompanied 
by his wife and two small children, started from Gaines- 
ville, Wyoming Co. (then Genesee Co.), N. Y., and with 
an ox-team and wagon drove to Buffalo ; from thence to 
Detroit the journey was accomplished by steamboat ; then 
with the same team and wagon to John Ackersou's house, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



241 



where he arrived Oct. 7, 1836. His family remained 
under Mr. Ackerson's roof for five or six weeks, or until he 
could put up a loi: dwclliiij,' on the 80 acres at present 
occupied by him. Tliouias Pratt, a brotlior-in-law of Mr. 
Brainard, had visited Michigan in the spring of 1836, and 
bought of the government two 80-acre lot*, upon .section 
33, one for himself and one for Brainard. 

Jlr. Pratt settled in the township about six weeks later 
than Mr. Brainard. 

Jesse Crafl and his step-son, James Nichols, came in 
during the same season, and sowed wheat upon section 29. 
But they did not settle permanently until the spring of 
1837. 
. David Tift came from Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1831, and 
settled first near Saline, Washtenaw Co., Mich., where he 
remained until the summer of 183G, when he removed to 
Kindcrhook, in this county. In the fall of the same year 
he sold out to John Waterhouse, purchased of the govern- 
ment 160 acres situated upon section 29 of this township, 
and became a permanent resident soon after. He died at 
the age of fifty-three years. During the war of the Rebel- 
lion, five sons, viz., Allison A., Albert J., Horace, Jerome 
B., and Roswcll D., .served in the Union army. Horace, a 
member of the 5th Michigan Cavalry, was starved to death 
in the Andersonville prison-pen. 

The year 1837 witnessed the arrival and settlement of 
Leonard Nelson upon section 13, Almon Nichols upon sec- 
tion 25, Nathan Austin upon section 32, Horace Purdy 
upon sections 28 and 2!*, and Isaac George upon sections 
U), 28, and 29. 

During the year 1838 the settlement was still further 
increased in numbers by the settlement of John Vander- 
hoff and Eli Gray, upon section 6. Seth E. Hanchett and 
Samuel H. Hanchett, brothers, upon section 9 ; Barney 
Smith, section 13 ; Andrew Crater, a brother of Morris, 
section 15 ; Jasper Underbill, section 31 ; Daniel Bickford, 
section 29 ; S. L. Bradley, section 25 ; H. Hildreth, section 
25 ; Thomas Goodman, section 22 ; Jesse Doyle, upon sec- 
tion 35, and George Tift. 

Among other quite early residents who settled in subse- 
quent years were Jonathan Bovee, Roswell J. Hayward, 
Jesse Doyle, Asel Withey, John Kenyon, Jonathan K. 
Bickford, Charles Bickford, James Nichols, Benjamin 
Craig, Ralph Bailey, Samuel T. Fales, Ebenezer Adams, C. 
T. Goodman, Sylvenus Clark, Harrison Scott, Carlton V. 
Clark, Benjamin Hobbs, Sylvester Canficld, Nathaniel 
Fisher, Erastus Bradley, Thomas Clark, William M. Clark, 
Thomas Clark, Jr., Samuel M. Dennison, John Whitney, 
D. J. Sprague, John P. Pettibone, William Ilouck, and 
Orton Hoxie. 

Thomas Clark, a soldier of 1812, accompanied by five 
sons and three daughters, came from Erie Co., N. Y., in 
1833, and settled first near Amden's Corners, now Bellvue, 
Ohio, where he remained three years. He then removed to 
Lagrange, Ind., and remained five years. 

In 1841, William, one of the sons, settled at Fisher's 
Corners, in Algansee town.ship. The following year the 
father and Thomas, Jr., came into the township. Thomas, 
Jr., worked for Nathaniel Fisher one year, and at the ex- 
piration (if his time was assigned t<i take for his pay forty 
31 



acres of land, where Samuel H. Keeler now resides. In 
1851 he sold out his farm and removed to Reading, Hills- 
dale Co., whore he opened the first .store in 1854. After 
a short residence in Van Huron County, he removed to 
Quincy village in 1860, and for some years was engaged 
in keeping an eating-house, also a drug-store, which he 
traded for the Barnes farm. Two years later he traded his 
farm for the hotel property where he now resides. He 
built his present commodious hotel, " The Quincy House," 
in 1877, which supplies a want long needed in that thriving 
village. 

Francis D. Ransom, the first settler upon the four sec- 
tions which comprise the northeast corner of the township, 
came from Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and located 
where he at present resides, in 1842. His nearest neighbor 
on the north, for some years, was John S. Belotc. John 
H. Ransom, a brother, settled south of him in 1847. 
Ja.son, another brother, had visited Michigan in 1836, and 
purchased lands upon section 2, but did not settle until 
years later. Daniel Ransom, a fourth brother, .settled in 
the same vicinity in April, 1842. He was killed in July 
following, by a tree falling upon him. 

Samuel H. Keeler, from Sterling, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
settled upon his present place of residence in 1852, pur- 
chasing of Thomas Clark. 

Dr. James A. Williams, the first resident physician in 
the township, came from Conquest, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
and settled where he now resides in 1854. He is an 
honored and respected citizen in the community of which 
he is a member. He has served his townsmen as super- 
visor for a period of ten years, the county as superintendent 
of schools, and two terms in the State Legislature. 

Isaac George built the first framed hou.se. Frederick T. 
Gallup the first brick house, in 1873. Aaron Hall opened 
the first store, in 1878. 

The Wakeman steam saw-mill was erected by John and 
his son, Eli Wakeman, in 1854. They came from Huron 
Co., Ohio. 

The grist-mill now in operation and adjoining the saw- 
mill, was erected by Eli and his son, Mortimer B. Wake- 
man, in 187;^, at a co.st of $5000. The structure is com- 
modious, fitted up with the best and latest improved 
machinery, and supplies a want long needed in the town- 
ship. As a comparison between the present condition of 
affairs and forty years ago, we here make mention of Mr. 
Andrew Crater's milling experience. 

About 1840, gri.st-mills were few and at long distances 
from many of the settlements. The farmers had been 
blessed with an abundant harvest, grain was cheap, and 
the millers were unwilling to do work and receive for their 
pay the customary toll ; they could make more money by 
flouring grain for shipment to distant markets. As a result 
of their cupidity, many of them combined and reftised to 
do grinding for those living near them until such time as 
suited their convenience, or a lack of orders for flour to be 
sent abroad permitted. Many neighbors had visited the 
nearest mills only to return with their grists unground. 
It became a matter of necessity to Mr. Crater that he 
should have some flour and meal, and he determined to 
have it. In the early part of the week he placed in his 



242 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



wagon some thirty bushels of wheat, corn, and buckwheat, 
and, with an ox-team which he was wintering for their 
work, departed, after telling his family that he should not 
return until his grain was converted into flour. He pro- 
ceeded to Coldwater, then to Branch and to Girard, but 
was refused at each mill in succession. He then journeyed 
on to Union City, where he met with partial success, the 
miller refusing to grind the wheat and corn, but not the 
buckwheat. On his return homeward, and when crossing 
a bridge over the stream which connects Bartholomew and 
Middle Lakes, at three o'clock Sunday morning, his team 
and wagon broke through. But, as the bridge, a log struc- 
ture, rose but three or four feet above the bed of the 
stream, he was enabled, by throwing aside the logs, to ex- 
tricate his team, wagon, and precious load in safety, and 
finally reached home all right, after an absence of some 
five or six days. 

CIVIL HISTORY. 

By an act of the Legislature of the State of Michigan, 
approved April 2, 1838, Algansee was formed from Quincy 
township. The act was as follows : 

" All that portion of the county of Branch designated 
in the United States survey as townships Nos. 7 and 8 
south, of range No. 5 west, be and the same is hereby set 
oft" and organized into a separate township, by the name 
of Algansee, and the first township-meeting shall be held 
at the house of Horace Purdy in said township." 

The inhabitants, in their petition when asking for the 
formation of a new township, sent forward the name of 
Carlton as the one which,best suited them. But, for some 
unexplained reason, the august legislative body which then 
represented the State selected its present name, Algansee. 
Its significance is unknown. 

California — township 8 south, range 5 west — was set ofi" 
as a sepiarate township March 25, 1S4G. 

First Township-Meetings. — The first township-meeting 
for the election of officers was held, as ordered, at the house 
of Horace Purdy, early in May, 1838. But the records 
of this meeting, as well as of subsequent meetings to 1843, 
inclusive, cannot be found. 

Officers Elected in 1844. — Asahel Brown, Supervisor ; 
Ezra S. E. Brainard, Township Clerk ; Samuel Beach, Jus- 
tice of the Peace ; George Monlux, Treas. ; James H. 
Lawrence, Jonathan K. Bickford, Samuel B. Hanchett, 
Highway Commissioners ; Benjamin Hobbs, J. T. Bailey, 
School Inspectors ; Ira Cass, Morris Crater, Directors of 
the Poor ; C. T. Goodman, S. Jordan, James McNitt, Con- 
stables ; Morris Crater, Asahel Brown, J. W. Lawrence, 
Jr., Joseph T. Reynolds, S. L. Bradley, Andrew Crater, 
S. P. Bronson, James T. Bailey, John Vanderhoof. Cyrus 
Gillett, David Tift, Stephen Noble, John Kinyon, William 
G. Scott, Jesse Doyle, Harvey Brockwa}', James Craig, 
Nathaniel Fisher, S. Jordan, Jr., Samuel Beach, Nehemiah 
Boss, Overseers of Highways. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 
The following is a list of the supervisors, township 
clerks, and treasurers, from 1838 to 1878, inclusive : 



Supervisors. 
IS:iS. .\sahel lirown. 
1839. " 



Township Clerks, 
.lumper Uinlerhill. 



Treasurers. 
<icorge Monlux. 



IS40. 
1841. 
1842. 
1843. 
1844. 
1845. 
1S46. 
1847. 
1S48. 
1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1864. 
1865 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1S69. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 



Supervisors. 
.Isabel Brown. 



Township Clerks. 
Jasper Underbill. 
Ezra S. E. Brainard. 



Treasurers. 
George Monlux. 



Lyman Witter. 
Asabel Brown. 
James I'nderbill. 

Asahel Brown. 

Erastus Bradley. 



Asahel Brown. 



Jasper Underbill. Ezra S. E. Brainard. 

a it t( a 

Erastus Bradley. " •' 

Robert Magden. " " 

If (( li tt 

Benjamin Hobbs. " '* 

Lemuel Pratt. " " 

Abijah Mosher. " " 

Isaac F. Camp. " " 



Nathan Nivison. 



James Underbill. 



Henry Walbridge. Levi P. Fuller. 



" _ Nathan Nivison. 

a a ti 

5. James A. Williams. Lorenzo Reynolds. 



Levi P. Fuller. 



Erastus Hradley. 



Gluey W. Draper. 



James A. Williams. 



Ezra S. E. Brainard. 
Mahlon AV. Brainard. 



Charles J. Underbill 
Robert Crawford. 



James R. Crawford. 
Robert Crawford. 
Mort. B. Wakeman. 



.Sereno Bradley. 



Koswcll I). Tift. Levi A. Shumway. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



1844. 


Samuel Beach. 


1860. 


Franklin Roundy. 


1845. 


Asahel Brown. 


1861. 


Asabel Brown. 




F. D. Ransom. 


1862. 


William Tibbitts. 


1846. 


Nathaniel Fisher. 


1S63. 


Francis D. Ransom. 




D. J. Sprague. 




Willis Potter. 


1847. 


Sturgis L. Bradley. 


1864. 


Samuel H. Kccler. 


1848. 


D. J. .*^prague. 


1SB5. 


Asabel Brown. 


1849. 


Asahel Brown. 


1866. 


Sereno Bradley. 


1850. 


John P. Pettibone. 


1867. 


Francis D. Hansom. 


1851. 


S. L. Bradley. 




Eli Wakeman. 




S. B. Hanchett. 


1868. 


James H. Stowe. 




Willitim Tibbitts. 




Almon W. Thorp, Ji 


1852. 


William Tibbitts. 


1869. 


Samuel H. Keeler. 


1853. 


Asahel Brown. 


1870. 


Joseph Poats. 


1854. 


Robert Mngden. 


1871. 


Francis D. Ransom. 


1855. 


Erastus Bradley. 


1872. 


James H. Stowe. 


1856. 


James Waterbury. 


1873. 


Samuel H. Keeler. 




James A. Williams. 


1874. 


Joel Barnes. 


1857 


Asahel Brown. 


1875 


Francis D. Ransom. 




William Tibbitts. 


1876 


Joseph Wilmarth. 


1858. 


William Tibbitts. 


1877 


Samuel 11. Keeler. 


1859 


Francis D. Ransom. 


1S7S 


Albert Ii. Barnes. 



HIGUWAV COMMISSIONERS. 



1844. James H. Lawrence. 
Jonathan K. Bickford. 
Scth B. Hanchett. 

1845. Samuel B. Hanchett. 
Jonathan K. Bickford. 
Taloott Mcrvin. 

1S4B. Jonathan K. Bickford. 
Benjamin Hobbs, 



1847. Jonathan K. Bickford. 
Benjamin Hobbs. 
Sylvester Canfield. 

1848. Nathaniel Fisher. 

1849. John Whitney. 

1850. Jonathan K. Bickf<inl 
William llouck. 

1852. William M. Clark. 




Residence: of JOHN JOSEPH, /^lgansee, Mich 




Residence of F. T. GALLUP, /Algansee, Mich. 



HISTORY OF. BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIOAN. 



243 



1S53. 


Ciiiltuii Clark. 


1864. 


Orton lloxio. 


1854. 


Ortoii lloxie. 




D. S. 8illiniau. 




Jr)hn Hussell, 




Joel Cjiiniibcll. 


1855. 


Joel Campbell. 


1865. 


Samuel H. Keeler. 


1856. 


Calvin V. Clark. 


1866. 


Thomas Nixon. 


1857. 


Jonathan K. Biekturtl. 


1867. 


Orton lloxie. 


1858. 


Orton Hoxie. 


1868. 


Jonathan K. Biekfonl. 


1858. 


Ezra S. E. Brainanl. 


1869. 


George Briggs. 


1859. 


Ezra S. E. Brainard. 


1870. 


Orton lloxie. 




Samuel H. Koelor. 


1871. 


Thomas Nixon. 




Harrison Craig. 


1872. 


Benjamin Culver. 


1860. 


DaviJ Rhoades. 


1873. 


Orton lloxie. 


1861. 


Cornelius Streetor. 


1874-77. Thomas Ni-ton. 


1862. 


Lyman Witter. 


1878. 


Stephen Knocht. 


1S63. 


Willis Potter. 







A town-hall wa.s erected upon section If! in 1877, at a 
cost of $600. 

STATISTICAL — 1837 VS. 1874. 

Algansee residents of 1837, showing their location by 
sections, the number of acres owned, and the number and 
kind of live-stock possessed by each at that date : 

Leonard Nelson, section 25, 40 acres, two cows. 
Almon Nichols, section 2.'>, 160 acres, two oxen. 
Ludovico Bobbins, sections 15 and 22, 560 iicrcs, three cowa, two 

oxen, one horse. 
Morris Crater, section 13, 80 acres, one-half saw-mill. 
Luther Stiles, section 9, 240 acres, one-half saw-mill, 
Asahel Brown, sections 31, 32, and 33, 800 acres, three cows, four 

oxen, two horses, 
Nathan ,\ustin, section 32, 80 acres, one uow, two oxen, 
Thomiis Pratt, section 33, 80 acres, one cow, one ox. 
Ezra S. E. Brainard, section 33, 80 acres, two cows, one ox. 
Horace Purdy, sections 28 and 29, 200 acres. 
Isaac George, sections 19, 28, and 30, 230 acres, three cows, two oxen, 

two horses. 
Jesse Craft, section 29, 80 acres, two cows. 
James Nichols, section 29, 40 acres, two oxen. 
David Tift, section 29, 160 acres, two cows, two horses. 

The foregoing list comprises all who were resident land- 
owners in the township at the period before mentioned. 

During the year 1838 the following additional names, 
together with those just mentioned, appear upon the first 
assessment-roll of Algansee township : 

John Vanderhoff, section 6, 73 acres, two cows, two oxen. 

Eli Gray, section 6, 80 acres. 

Seth E, llanchett, section 9, 125 acres, one cow, two oxen. 

- Samuel B. Hanchett, section 9, 125 acres, two oxen. 
Barney Smith, section 13, 160 acres, one cow, two oxen. 
Andrew Crater, section 15, 80 acres. 

George Tift, one cow, 

Jasper Uriderhill, section 31, 80 acres, two cows, two oxen. 

Daniel Bickford, section 29, 80 acres, two cows, four oxen, two horses. 

Horace Purdy, sections 28 and 29, 100 acres, six cows, two oxen, two 

horses. 
Abram Ackorson, section 20, 80 acres, one cow, one horse. 
S. L. Bradley, 80 acres. 
II. Hildrcth, section 25, 40 acres, one cow. 

- Thomas Goodman, section 22, 80 acres, three cows, two oxen. 
Jesse Doyle, section 35, 80 acres, one cow, two oxen. 

1874. 

Population 1,491 

Total area (acres) 22,740 

Acres of wheat growing June, 1874 3,126 

" corn " " " 2,130 

Bushels wheat harvested, 1873 31,217 

" corn " " 81,321 

" other grain harvested, 1S73 29,216 

" potatoes raised, 1873 11,115 

Tons hay housed. 1873 2,317 



Pounds wool sheared, 1873 10,236 

" pork marketed, 1873 148,575 

'* cheese made, 1873 300 

" butter made, 1S73 47,680 

" fruit dried for market, 1873 31,657 

Barrels cider made, 1873 1,045 

Gallons wine made, 1873 000 

Pounds maple-sugar, 1874 7,225 

Acres devoteil to fruits 976 

Value of fruit product, 1872 $11,000 

Horses over one year old, 1874 1,263 

.Mules " ■" " " 10 

^Vork oxen 38 

Milch cows 1,230 

Cattle over one year old, other than milch cows and 

oxen 2,341 

Swine over six months 2,560 

Sheep " " 3,126 

Sheep sheared, 1873 2,559 

The township has no village, Algansee, a post-office 
station, is situated in the southern part, eight miles south 
of Quincy village. 

The road-bed of the proposed Mansfield, Coldwater, and 
Lake Michigan Railroad crosses the extreme southwest 
corner. 

SCHOOLS. 

It is probable that the first school in the township was 
taught by Miss Jane Woodard, in the summer of 1838, in 
a small log shanty, which stood near the present residence 
of Wesley Merritt, Among her pupils were Mrs, Emily 
Barnes, Alonzo George, Roswell 1). Tift, Erial Purdy, Mrs. 
Erial Purdy, Alexander Purdy, Mary Underbill, and Wes- 
ley Brown, all of whom arc living at the present time. 

The first school-hou.se, a log structure, was built near 
Asahel Brown's residence in 1843. Mr. Ezra S. E. Brain- 
ard was an early teacher in this house, also Miss Sarah 
Beach. 

At a meeting of the board of school inspectors held May 
16, 1846, certificates to teach primary schools were granted 
Misses Arvilla H. Clark, Silena Hard, Mary L. Beach, and 
Eliza Ann Bryant. Benjamin Hobbs was designated as 
the one to visit schools during the year. At the same 
meeting the following apportionment of school moneys was 
made : 

Whole amount on hand $33.17 

To District No. 3,41 scholars 12.77 

" " " 10,19 " 5,89 

" " " 6,21 " 6.51 

" " " 7,27 " 8.00 

$33.17 

School statistics for the year ending Sept. 2, 1878 : whole 
districts, 9: fractional, 2. Children of school age residing 
in the township, 473 ; children attending school during the 
year, 430. School-houses in the township, 11, — brick, 1 ; 
framed, 10. Seating capacity of school-houses, 621. Value 
of school property, SSSOO. Male teachers employed during 
the year, 8 ; female, 14. Aggregate number of months 
taught by males, 29 ; by females, 49. Paid male teachere, 
S76a ; female, $588,20. 

Receipts. — Total resources from moneys on hand Sept. 
3, 1877, two-mill tax, primary-school fund, district taxes 
for all purposes, and raised from all other sources, $2864.24. 

E.T.penditures. — Teachers' wages, §13.53.20 ; building and 
repairs, S336.17 ; on bonded indebtedness, -SOOl.SO ; for all 
other purposes, $129,07; amount on hand Sept. 2, 1878, 
«122,26, 



244 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

As early as 1838 the Methodists held religious services 
at the house of Andrew Crater. Their preachers were Revs. 
Roswell Parker, Peter Sabin, and James Clizbe. Among 
the members of the first class were Jesse Craft, who was an 
exhorter, David Tift and his wife, and Mrs. Asahel Brown. 

The present society of the North Algansee Methodist 
Episcopal Church was organized in 1854 or 1855, as part 
of the Quiucy charge. Rev. Isaac S. French pastor, and 
their meetings for several years were held in the Fisher 
school-house. 

In 1870 a commodious church edifice was erected. It is 
a brick structure, has sittings for 300 people, and cost with 
furniture, furnaces, etc., complete, $4400. C. B. Newton 
was the builder. The church site of 98 square rods was 
donated by Samuel H. Keeler. 

The society forms part of the Quincy charge at the 
present time. Rev. C. C. Olds, pxstor. 

BAPTIST CHURCH. 

At a meeting of certain members of the Baptist Church 
of Quincy, held at the Jordou school-house, Dec. 29, 1855, 
it was unanimously resolved to request letters from the 
Quincy Church for the purpose of organizing a church in 
Algansee. In pursuance of the same, letters were granted 
to the following-named members, viz. : Francis D. Ransom, 
Phares Chittenden, Jason L. Ransom, John H. Ransom, 
John Ran.som, Zebiua G. Trim, Joel Campbell, David Hill- 
man, John C. Perring, Benjamin Bishop, Amos Hough, 
Peter Leighton, Nathan Leighton, Spencer Cory, John 
Cory, Henry W. Waterbury, James A. Ransom, William 
W. Potter, David Robb, and sisters C. Ransom, L. Chit- 
tenden, C. Ransom, H. Ransom, U. Trim, M. Campbell, 
H. Hillman, L. Perring, L. Bishop, 0. Hough, S. Jordon, 
L. Fisher, 0. Cory, S. A. Barber, J. A. Ransom, Margaret 
Hillman, M. Hoxie, and L. Robb. This organization was 
first styled the Second Baptist Church. At the first cove- 
nant-meeting Francis D. Ransom was chosen deacon, and 
Phares Chittenden church clerk. The church was recog- 
nized March 13, 1S5G, by a council of ministers and dele- 
gates, representing the First Quincy, Second Quincy, First 
Algansee, Reading, Ovid, and Butler Churches ; Rev. 
Truman Burroughs presided as moderator, and D. B. Pur- 
rinton served as clerk. 

Rev. Truman Burroughs, the first pastor, came soon 
after the organization was effected, and preached one-half 
the time. He was followed by Elder Philo Forbes, who 
remained about two years. Other pastors were Revs. B. 
McLouth, who came in 1858 ; G. Terry as a supply ; W. 
N. VVelker, January, 1861 ; Truman Burroughs, Decem- 
ber, 1862, who remained until January. 1866 ; then Eiders 
Schofield, Conover, and Prentice as supply ; R. W. Lock- 
hart, January, 1868; H. K. Simpson, January, 1870; E. 
M. Ney, January, 1871 ; W. M. Welker, August, 1873; 
W. B. Chapel, January, 1877 ; R. P. Jones, present pas- 
tor, April, 1878. 

A church edifice was erected in 1868 at a cost of $2000. 
It has sittings for 200 people. Present membership, 56. 
Scholars in Sabbath-school, 56. Cornelius W. Myers, Sab- 
bath-school Superintendent. 



DISBANDED BAPTIST CHURCHES. 

In 1840 or 1841, a Baptist society was organized in the 
east part of the town. Their usual place of meeting was 
at the house of Nathaniel Fisher, and at one time they 
numbered about 40 members. Among them were Na- 
thaniel Fisher, wife, and three daughters ; Ebenezer Kelly 
and wife, James Waterbury and two daughters, John 
Kinyon and wife, the elder Mrs. Reynolds, Seneca Can- 
field and wife, Horace Avery and wife, Samuel Cory and 
wife, and Deacon Lewis and wife. 

The First Baptist Church of Algansee was organized in 
1854. Their meetings were held in the Wakeman school- 
hou.se. Nathan Nivison and wife, Ebenezer Kelly and 
wife, James Dewitt and wife, William Hungerford and 
wife, James Waterbury and daughters were constituent 
members of the society. It was disbanded after an exist- 
ence of about twelve years. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first burial-ground in the township was upon grounds 
owned by Jasper Underbill, and the first interment therein 
was a child of Underbill's. After some years the bodies 
were removed to the present cemetery, situated upon sec- 
tion 30. 

The North Algansee Cemetery Association was incor- 
porated in 1856, with Andrew Crater, Samuel B. Han- 
chett, Sydney W. Snyder, Lyman B. Bobbins, John 
Streeter, J. Wright, Cornelius Streeter, Francis D. Ran- 
som, and John Joseph as members. Samuel B. Hanchett, 
President; Samuel H. Keeler, Clerk. The inclosure con- 
tains 1} acres, and is situated upon section 10. The 
first interment was that of the body of Mrs. H. D. Her- 
mance. 

In the preparation of Algansee township history we have 
received much valuable information and the greatest cour- 
tesy from Messrs. Andrew Crater, Morris Crater, Ezra S. 
E. Brainard, Roswell D. Tift, Francis D. Ransom, Phares 
Chittenden, Samuel H. Keeler, Mortimer B. Wakeman, 
Mrs. Asahel Brown, Mrs. Jane Tift, and others, to all of 
whom we take this manner of returning our sincere thanks. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



D. L. GRAY. 

This gentleman, one of the prominent citizens and 
pioneers of Algansee, is descended from good old Revolu- 
tionary stock. His grandfather, Robert Gray, was a native 
of Pelham, Mass., and served with distinction throughout 
that sanguinary struggle. At the close of the war he set- 
tled in Ashfield, Mass., where the father of our subject 
was born. He reared a family of eight children, Betsey, 
Lydia, Sarah, May, Darwin L., Jerome, Ralph, and Edwin. 
In 1827 the elder Gray emigrated with his family to Wash- 
tenaw County, where he remained eight years, when they 
removed to Toledo. After a residence of two years there, 
they eanie to Branch County and settled in Algansee, 




-4^5«^^ 





David Tift. 



Mrs. David Tift. 





^rs.S.Sf^ainai^d. 



E.S E BF^AINAf^D. 





Wm Kf^AlSER 



|VlRS.WM.KF?AISEf^. 



(pHOTOSflY KlHOM*f(K. COlDWATEl^ ) 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



245 



where he purchased the farm upon which Darwin L. now 
resides. Here the old people died, full of years and highly 
respected by a larire circle of friends. He was a gentle- 
man of sterling ability, and ]Mis.sos,sed of many of the 
virtues and but few of the faults uf buniaiikiiKl. His 
worthy wife was a devoted helpmeet, a kind mother, and a 
valuable friend. She was born in Connecticut. Mr. Gray 
was married, in 1869, to Mrs. Julia A. Fales, daughter of 
Benjamin Archer, Esq., one of the oldest settlers of Branch 
County. They have been blessed with two children, Perry 
D. and Cynthia J. Mi-s. Gray was first married at the 
a^e of sixteen to I^Ir. Fales, of Algansce. He was one 
of the honored dead who went to do battle in our country's 
defense. 

Mr. Gray is an admirable type of the original settler, 
and possessed of that indomitable energy and hardihood 
that was necessary to remove the original forest and to lay 
the foundation for the present wealth and prosperity of the 
county. It is to such as he that the present generation 
are indebted, and it is with pleasure that we give him a 
position in this work among the representative men and 
pioneers of Branch County. 



S. E. BRAINARD. 



More than a century ago the father of Mr. Brainard 
was born in the good State of Connecticut, the date of his 
birth having been 1744. He followed farming pursuits, 
and at the age of twenty-one removed to Madison Co., 
N. Y., where his son was born. At the expiration of a 
few years he removed to Genesee County, and engaged in 
labor incident to the life of a pioneer, such as logging and 
clearing the land. On becoming of age he left home, and 
labored for four years; and Feb. 28, 1832, was married to 
Miss Sabina Woodman, of Orleans Co., N. Y. After his 
marriage he purchased a farm in Genesee County, and re- 
mained upon it four years. Not being satisfied with their 
condition, they determined to come to Michigan, and in 
accordance with this purpose began the journey with all 
their hou.sehold goods. On reaching Detroit they loaded 
an ox-wagon with their possessions, and started for Branch 
County, where Mr. Brainard purchased eighty acres of 
land in Algansee, arriving in 1836, and still residing on 
tlie same tract. At the first township-meeting he was 
elected commissioner, and the next five years filled the 
office of township clerk. Later he was elected township 
treasurer, having filled each successive oflice with credit. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brainard had two children born in New 
York State and five in Branch County. The first two 
were Mahlon W. (who married Mi.ss Duffce, and resides 
in Coldwater) and Frances L. (who is married to John 
Wood, and resides in Madison township) ; CaroHne died 
shortly after her marriage; Roxby I. married George Rice, 
and lives in Algansee township ; Ann Augusta married 
George Caldwell, and resides in Coldwater ; Corlon married 
Sarah Dewey, and lives in Algansee ; while the younger 
son, Schoonville, resides with his parents on the homestead, 
having married Delia Birch. Mr. Brainard is a staunch 
Republican in politics. 



WILLIAM K KAISER. 

Casper Kraiser, the father of the gentleman whose name 
appears above, was born in Lebanon Co., Pa., and followed 
the pursuits of a farmer. lie was the father of eleven chil- 
dren, — five sons and six daughters. 

William Kraiser remained on his father's farm until he 
became of age, when he went to Northumberland County, 
in tlie same State, and engaged with a farmer at ten dol- 
lars per month. He stayed with him five years. In 1838 
he w;us married to Miss Mary Ann Sell, daughter of Jacob 
Sell, who was one of the pioneers of Berks* Co., Pa. He 
came the same year to Ros.s Co., Ohio, and worked for two 
years at the same wages as above, his wife proving her de- 
votion by washing and sewing, in order to earn her share 
of their scanty livelihood. In time Mr. Kraiser possessed 
a team of his own, and for three years farmed on shares. 
In 1843 he took a lea.se to clear a farm in Sandusky Co., 
Ohio, and stayed upon that place eight and one-half years. 
In 1851 he drove through to Michigan, with his family of 
seven children, and settled where he now lives. Four chil- 
dren have been born in this State to Mr. and Mrs. Kraiser, 
the names of all being as follows : Amos Franklin, now 
married and residing in Wilson Co., Kan. ; Christian, 
married and living in Genesee Co., Mich. ; Benjamin Wil- 
liam, married and living in Quiney, Mich. ; Sarah Jane, 
deceased ; Solomon Henry, living in California township. 
Branch Co. ; Mary Jane, married, husband now deceased ; 
David Porter, deceased ; Granville Washington, married 
and living near his father ; Randolph Rodgers, married 
and living in Quiney ; Lavinia and Matilda, both deceased. 

In 1866 Mr. Kraiser was so unfortunate as to have his 
house destroyed by fire, together with all the household 
goods. He is the owner of a fine farm, containing two 
hundred and sixty five acres, and although serious misfor- 
tunes have at times befallen him, he has been generally 
prosperous since his removal to Michigan, and is surrounded 
at present by many comforts. 



DAVID TIFT 



was a native of Allegany Co., N. Y., and a farmer. His 
children were six in number, viz., Fanny E., Roswald D., 
Albert J., Jerome B., A., and Horace N. In the fall of 1831, 
Mr. Tift left New York and settled in Calhoun Co., Mich., 
where he entered land and resided four years. He finally sold 
out and removed to Kinderhook township, Branch Co., where 
he entered eighty acres of land. About three months later 
he disposed of his place to Mr. Waterhouse, and removed to 
Algansee township. In the latter he " took up" one hundred 
and sixty acres of land, and upon it passed the remainder 
of his days. Politically he was a Republican, and in re- 
ligion a Baptist. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary 
Mainier, was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Dec. 20, 1809, 
and married to Mr. Tift in Niagara Co., same State. She 
was the daughter of a fermor and one of nine children. 
During the trying days when her husband was rearing for 
his family a home in the wilderness she was ever at his 
side, a faithful wife and a devoted helper, through all the 



* Buck?. 



246 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



struggles incident to the life uf a pioneer. She died in 
November, 1858, and he who had so long held her dear 
bowed beneath the stroke and closed his days of mortality 
Feb. 21, 1859, surviving her loss but three months. 

Roswald Tift, who had lived with his father until of age, 
moved at that eventful period upon the place where he now 
resides. At the age of twenty-seven he was married to 
Permelia A. Mason, a widow, by whom he had one child — 
Elizabeth E. Part of liis present farm is land which be- 
longed to her. Mrs. Tift died April 3, 1866, and May 15, 
1870, he was married to Lucy R. Shumway, daughter of 
Alfred and Nancy Shumway, a pioneer couple in this 
township. By this marriage he has had three children: 
Levi S., Eli D., and Riley D. Until the autumn of 1878 
Mr. Tift was a Republican, but at that date he was elected 
township clerk on the Greenback ticket. Although a 
professor of religion, he is a member of no particular sect. 
Mrs. Tift is a member of the Advent Church. 

Jerome B. Tift was born upon the old homestead in Al- 
gansee, and upon it he still resides. On the 18th of No- 
vember, 1860, he was married to Frances A. Grice, daugh- 
ter of Peter Grice, one of the early settlers of Kinderhook 
township. He is the father of three children : Clara M., 
Dora A., and Horace J. Both he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Tift is a 
Republican in politics. 



ALFRED SIIUM^yAY. 

History records the persecutions to which the French 
Huguenots were subjected nearly two hundred years ago, 
and the flight of many of them to climes where the religious 
atmosphere was more congenial to their belief In the year 
1695 a vessel arrived at Boston, Mass., and landed Peter 
Shumway, Peter Faneuil, the Sigourneys, and others. 
Shumway was one of the devoted band of Huguenots, 
and in company with others of his own people founded a 
colony at Oxford, where are yet standing the remains of a 
fort they built for defense against the Indians. Peter 
Shumway, it seems, assumed this name after arriving in 
this country, as none such can be found among the French. 
He married an English lady, a Mi.ss Smith, and they became 
the parents of seven sons, viz., Oliver, Jeremiah, David, 
John, Jacob, Samuel, and Amos. Undoubtedly all persons 
in the United States be.iring the name of Shumway are 
descended from the worthy Peter. 

Levi Shumway, son of Oliver and grandson of Peter 
Shumway (1st), was born at Oxford, Mas.s., April 8, 1727. 
His son, Isaac W. Shumway, was born at Belcher, Mass., 
Oct. 12, 1761. When seventeen years of age, or in 1778, 
he volunteered in the American army and served until 1782. 
He was present at the execution of Maj. Andre and at the 
surrender of Cornwallis. Dec. 18, 1785, he was married 
to Patience Pratt. 

Their son, Levi Shumway, was born at Belcher, Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass., June 11, 1788, and in 1804 removed to 
Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., where, on the 16th of Sep- 
tember, 1817, he was married to Abigail Smith. In 1829 
he removed to Lenawee Co., Mich., and died Aug 3, 1834. 

Alfred Shumway, a son of the above, was born in 



Macedon, Wayne Co., N. Y., July 12, 1818, and came with 
his parents to Lenawee Co., Mich., in September, 1829. 
At that time it is stated that but two log houses were 
standing where now is the flourishing and beautiful city of 
Adrian. Mr. Shumway was married, Jan. 22, 1845, to 
Nancy M. Davis, of Palmyra, Lenawee Co., Mich., and 
removed to Branch County, Feb. 19, 1849. Mrs. Shum- 
way, who was a daughter of Charles and Polly Davis, was 
born at Palmyra, Wayne Co., N. Y., July 24, 1823, and 
was one of a family of seven children. Her parents re- 
moved to Palmyra, Lenawee Co., Mich., in July, 1836, and 
there, as above stated, she was married to Mr. Shumway. 
Their children were three in number, — Mary E., born in 
Madison, Lenawee Co., Feb. 19, 1846 ; Levi A., born at 
the same place, Oct. 25, 1847 ; and Lucy R., born in Pal- 
myra, Lenawee Co., Sept. 10, 1850. 

Levi A. Shumway was married to Annie M. Gallup, 
Sept. 17, 1873. Their children are Alfred T., born in 
Algansee, Branch Co., Deo. 9, 1876, and Dennis Burr, 
born in the same township, July 5, 1878 ; died Feb. 13, 
1879. 

Lucy R. Shumway was married to Roswell D. Tift, May 
15, 1870. 

Alfred Shumway was in his religion an Adventist; in 
politics, a staunch Republican and an untiring worker. He 
was the oldest of a large fiimily of children, and when but 
sixteen years of age was left to care for them by the death 
of his father. His first crop of corn in his Michigan home 
was entirely destroyed by wild game. This descendant of 
a zealous Frenchman lived a comparatively uneventful life, 
yet his death was a most tragic one, being caused by a 
buzz-saw, and occurring April 26, 1874. He was a worthy, 
upright man, and an esteemed citizen, and his death was 
sincerely mourned. 



ANDREW CRATER. 

Mathuyas Crater, the father of the above, was born in 
Geneva, N. J , and became the father of .sixteen children, 
— nine sons and .seven daughters. In the spring of 1825 
he removed with his family to Wayne Co., N. Y. 

Andrew Crater, who was born in Hunterdon Co., N. 
J., June 28, 1813, went West with his father to New 
Y^ork, and remained with him until twenty-one years of age, 
when he started for the then '■ far West" to make for himself 
a home. In the spring of 1837 he came to Algansee town- 
ship, Branch Co., Mich., bought eighty acres of land, and 
then returned East and was married on the 28th of Decem- 
ber, 1837, to Hannah Waterbury. In the fall of 1838 he 
brought his wife to Michigan and settled upon the eighty- 
acre lot he had purchased in Algansee. By this marriage 
Mr. Crater became the father of four children, viz., Reuben, 
Martha R., Henrietta E., and Delos. Mrs. Crater died in 
1848, and in 1851 he was married to Elizabeth Craig, by 
whom he also had four children, and on the 28th of June, 
1861, he was again left a mourner by the death of his wife. 
March 12, 1863, he married Catharine Depue, and by her 
had two children. A third time the fell destroyer of 
human happiness entered his household, and the third time 
he mourned the loss of a faithful partner, for on the 21st 








fARS A SHUMWAY. 



fdOros By KitiOMAifK. CoiOWtT £»[. 



-A. Shumway. 



-i ^». 






A. Crater. 



( l*HOrOS fff K,KOM*^i^.) 



MRS.A CRAIEf^ 








/^RS.S. B./^ANCHETT. 



f loros Br Tuipp. COLOWATCI 



S B^ANCHETT. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



247 



of August, 1869, his wife was called to the "land of the 
hereafter." His present wife was Mrs. Caroline E. Bul- 
lock, to whom ho w;ts married Fob. 1, 1S73. Her niaidon 
name was Wright, aud slio wa.s burn iu the town of Clay, 
N. Y. At the age of fifteen she removed with her parents 
to Brii;litoii. III., where .she wits married to Mr. Bullock. 
Aflor his death she moved to Cinoiiinati, Ohio, thence to 
Saginaw, Mich., and finally to (^uiiicy. Branch Co., where 
she was "wooed and won" by Mr. (^rater. 

Mr. and Mrs. Crater are menibors of the Baptist Church, 
of which they are ardent supporters. Mr. Crater has, in 
the course of nearly half a century of patient industry and 
close economy, become the owner of a farm of four hundred 
and seventy-eight acres, of which and its improvements he 
is justly proud. He has seen the wilderness " blossom as 
the rose," and in his age is enabled to peacefully enjoy the 
fruits of his labors. 



S. B. HANCIIETT. 

The father of Mr. Hanchett was reared in Connecticut, 
and at the surrender of Burgoync his niullior was three 
years of age. The subject of our sketch was born in Sar- 
atoga Co., N. Y., and was the youngest of three children. 



His father and mother died early, with an interval of but 
two days between them, the first being seventy-nine, aud 
tho latter sixty years of ago. 

Mr. Hanoliett romained u]iiiM the farm for two years 
after tho death of his parents, and during that time his 
sister and brother wore both married, Seth eventually re- 
moving to Gibraltar, about twenty miles from Detroit. 
Having some desire to take up his residence farther West, 
he started, at the age of twenty-one, on a prospecting tour 
in Ohio. Not being well pleased, he repaired to Canada 
and engaged to work with his halfbrother, Mr. Wood, and 
later was employed in a .saw-mill. He suflFered .severely 
with the typhoid fever and the smallpox in succession. 
With eighty dollars in silver he emigi-ated t« Michigan, his 
brother Seth having meanwhile sold the homestead and 
come to Algansee township. Mr. Hanchett arrived in 
Coldwater in May, 1838, and went directly to Algansee. 
After some pioneer experiences incident to the settlement 
of a new country, at the age of twenty-eight, he married 
Ruth C. Thomp.son, daughter of an old resident of Califor- 
nia township. They have had seven children, three of 
whom are dead. Mr. Hanchett was formerly a Whig, and 
afterwards espoused the prineij)les of the Republican party. 
He has held many offices of trust in his township, and is 
highly esteemed as a citizen and a man. 




F. D. RANSOM. 

FRANCIS D. RANSOM. 
Francis D. Ran.som was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
Jan. 5, 1816, and was the son of James Ransom, who.se 
birthplace was New London, Conn., and who was a ship- 
carpenter by trade. His grandfather Wiis a machinist by 
occupation, and in the Revolutionary war ranked as ser- 
geant under Col. St. Leger. Mr. Ransom, who followed 
farming in early life, at the age of twenty-one traveled 
thniugh Tllinois. Indiana, and Ohio, exploring tho country, 
and finally returned and married MLss Cliloc, daughter of 
Benjamin Stintor. They have seven children. Mr. Ran- 
som bought of his brother, John Ransom, forty acre.s of 




MRS. P. D. RANSOM. 

land in 1837, and continued to add to his landed posses- 
sions until he had accumulated two hundred and fifty, which 
he now owns in Algansee township. He connected himself 
with the Baptist church at Elbridge, N. Y., when he was 
nineteen years of age, and has been an ardent worker in 
its cause since that period. He was one of the builders of 
tho Baptist church in Algansee, and has continued to fill 
the ofiice of deacon since that time. Mrs. Ransom has 
also been a member of the church since the age of fifteen 
years. 

They reside in Algansee township, and are enjoying the 
regard of the many friends that a life of integrity, and re- 
plete with kindly deeds, has won tlicm. 



248 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



F. T. GALLUP, 

one of Algansee's worthiest citizens, was born in Canada, 
March 11, 1823. His father, Ezekiel Gallup, was born in 
Hartland, Vt., August, 1787, and at the age of twenty-one 
removed, with his father, Joseph, to Canada. 

In the autumn of 183-t he migrated to Monroe Co., 
Mich., and settled on Stony Creek, whence, after a brief 
stay, he moved over to Medina, Lenawee Co., in the fall of 
1837, and died in the latter place, January, 1860. 

His son, F. T. Gallup, accompanied him to Michigan in 
1834, and in 1849, marrying Miss M. L. Sanderson, took 
possession of a new farm in Medina, and entered upon an 
active agricultural career. 



Mrs. Gallup was the daughter of Jesse and Lucretia 
Sanderson, who were born in Hartland, Vt., in 1787. Her 
father served through the war of 1812, and not long after- 
wards removed to Oneida Co., N. Y., where he died in 
1843. Mrs. Sanderson went, in 1866, to Algansee, and 
there died, June 19, 1878, in the ninety-first year of her 
age. 

Mrs. Gallup was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1825, 
and in 1847 took up her residence in Michigan. 

After remaining upon their farm in Medina until 1853, 
Mr. and Mrs. Gallup located in Algansee, where, upon the 
broad acres of their rich agricultural domain, they have 
ever since continued to reside. 








ASAHEL BROWN. 




MRS. A.SAHEL BROWN. 



ASAIIEL BROWN. 

Asahel Brown, one of the earliest settlers of Algansee, 
Mich., was born in Stafford, Monmouth Co., N. J., April 
9, 1803. He was the eldest son of Abner and Hannah 
Brown, and with his parents removed to the State of New 
York. 

His father was born in Stafford, March 14, 1781 ; and 
that too was the birthplace of his mother, — her maiden 
name being Birdsal, and the date of her birth, Sept. 22, 1782. 

Young Asahel spent the early years of his life in the 
then new country of Western New York, and save an occa- 
sional term at a district school, enjoyed no educational 
privileges. 

He labored on his father's farm the most of his time 
until he reached his thirtieth year, — in 1833, — having 
meanwhile married Deborah, daughter of Jesse Comstock, 
who assisted in the construction of the first canal-locks at 
Lockport. 

In that year he determined to " go West" in search of a 
farm, — for his ambition had long been to own one, — and 



so he set out with his wife and four children for Michigan, 
transporting them as well as his household goods in a lum- 
ber-wagon. 

They settled first at Palmyra, Lenawee Co., where Mr. 
Brown bought an eighty-acre form, but becoming dissatis- 
fied with the location, removed, in 1836, to Algansee, pur- 
chased a farm there, and became a permanent settler. The 
first town-meeting was held in his log cabin, which stood 
near the old " State road." He grew prosperous as time 
passed, and became a man of mark as well as substance. 
For twenty-one years he served as supervisor, and for many 
years he held the office of justice of the peace. 

He was a strong anti-slavery Whig, and in 1849 was 
defeated, by a small majority, as a candidate of that party 
for the Legislature. 

In 1850 he was a member of the State Constitutional 
convention, was State Senator in 1856 and 1858, and 
served also, in 1867, as a member of the State Constitu- 
tional convention. 

He was for some time president of the Branch County 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



249 



Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and in all his 
busin&ss and social relations commanded wide and earnest 
roeo|^'nition as a man of sterlinj; integrity, staunch business 
jiriiicipU's, and uiifla;ij;inj; industry. 

To his original t'armiii;; possessions he added from time to 
time, and at the period of his death he owned five hundred 



acres of land, of which three hundred were improved. In 
relif^ious belief he sympathized with Unitariani.sm, and 
deeply revered the faith of his Quaker ancestors. After 
a lonj; life of active usefulness, Mr. Brown died, June 8, 
1874, leaving to survive him his widow, who still resides 
upon the old homstead at Algansee. 



G I L E A D. 



Township 8 south, range 7 west, iis designated by the 
United States survey, is a fiaetional township, six miles 
long from cast to west, and three and one-half miles wide 
from north to south, lying on the southern border of 
Hraneh County, adjoining the State of Indiana, and con- 
tains an area of about l;],r)0() acres. It is bounded on the 
north by Bethel, east by Kinderhook, south by James- 
town and Mill Grove, town.ships of Steuben Co., Ind., and 
west by Noble. For purposes of description, the town 
may be divided into three portions. A line drawn across 
it from north to south, beginning two miles from the 
northwest corner, and terminating two and one-half miles 
from the southwest corner, and another starting near the 
middle of this line and rutitiing to the eastern boundary; 
separate these parts from one another. The part west of 
this first-described line is lightly-rolling in its nature, being 
of the class of lands known as burr-oak plains or openings, 
and has a mixed .soil, composed of a sandy or gravelly 
loam, which is easily tilled and very fertile. The north- 
east part of the town is mainly heavily-timbered lands, 
with a level surface, and quite wet and swampy in many 
places. The soil is a dark, sandy loam, intermingled 
with some pretty heavy clay. The southeast portion of the 
town is composed of white oak or timbered openings, a 
little timbered land, and about one-quarter of the whole 
is open marsh. Its surface is varied, being quite hilly 
in the west and more level in the east, and the soil is also 
quite diversified. The soil of the town is somewhat mixed 
with loose stones of many kinds, some of which are plainly 
the work of some animal like the coral insect, while others 
are quite as evidently petrifactions. Among others are 
often found large bowlders, from one to two feet in diame- 
ter, formed of smaller stones, varying in size from a pea to a 
butternut, which seem to have in some manner become so 
firmly cemented together, as to form a solid and concrete 
mass. 

Among the natural curiosities and peculiar tiatural fea- 
tures of the town are some relics of the past, whose origin 
is hidden in the dark recesses of the jirehistoric ages. 
That they indicate, and indeed sub.stantially prove, that 



32 



* Prepaied by Charles W. Brown. 



some race of intelligent people once lived, loved, and died 
upon these fertile and beautiful plains must be apparent to 
every one who will give the subject careful consideration. 
The Indians have no traditions which relate to these relics, 
and have always shown perfect ignorance regarding their 
origin and significance. On the shores of Gilead Lake, 
and at other places in the town, are found remains of what 
have been generally regarded a.s ancient fortifications. They 
are invariably circular in form, and elevated, at present, 
from one to two feet above the general surface of the 
ground. The principal of these are the two which are 
found on the shores of Gilead Lake, one on the west and 
the other on the east side, very nearly opposite each other. 
A description of the one on the east side, which was visited 
by the writer, will answer as a general description of them 
all. The one on the west shore is the largest one. Near 
the north end of the lake an arm runs out to the eastward, 
and on the south shore of this bay lies the work we are 
about to describe. The shore at this point is a steep bluff, 
about fifteen feet above the average level of the waters of 
the lake, and a plateau extends from the edge of this 
bluff some thirty rods in every direction, and then gradu- 
ally descends to a lower level. On this plateau, with its 
two extremities touching the edge of the blufli', is a semi- 
circular arc, eighteen or twenty rods in diameter, and drawn 
on so true a circle that it proves almost conclusively that it 
was laid out before the trees which now occupy the site grow 
there. Along this line is an elevation about six or perhaps 
eight feet in width and eighteen inches high in the middle. 
The great age of this work is attested by the trees growitig 
upon the top of the elevation, whose appearance shows that 
they sprang into existence after it was made, and whose size 
evidences an undisturbed growth of from one hundred and 
fifty to two hundred years. That they are remains of for- 
tifications is by no means clear to the mind of the present 
writer, and can never be conclusively shown until the 
habits and mode of life of their former inhabitants shall be 
made known. That they may simply nnirk the site of 
some dwelling-place of a grcgarian race seems quite prob- 
able when wo consider the fact that they are generally 
largely built up of the shells of Ire-sh-watcr clams which 
abounded in these lakes. But whatever their origin ur 



250 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



uiie, we are left to look upon them in a purely speculative 
liiiht, ;ind the imaginative mind may weave about them a 
web of romance, and dream of the. lives and experiences, 
the iiiipes and fears, the loves and hates, of the unknown 
people who once roamed these plains and forests, and lived 
upon tlie products of the soil and upon the animal life that 
peopled its woods and waters. In other parts of the town 
are found burial-mounds similar to those so frequently 
found in this section of tlie State, and relics of the Indian 
race, and pieces of ancient pottery that have lain long in 
the soil, are frequently brought to light by the farmer's 
plow. 

Another natural curiosity, and one which may possibly 
be connected with the liistory of this past race, is what lias 
always been known as the " Uilead Sugar- Woods." Whether 
it had its origin in some natural cause, or whether it re- 
sulted from human effort, is a matter of conjecture. This 
piece of maple- woods stands upon section 17, but originally 
extended upon sections 7, 8, and 18. It was, in 1830, a 
fine piece of maple woodland in the form of a circle, and 
about three-quarters of a mile in diameter. The Indians 
used to tap the trees every spring and make maple-sugar in 
their rude way, and the whites also fell into the same prac- 
tice, and continue it down to the present time. There was 
but a very light sprinkling of other trees in these woods, 
and the maples were of an apparent growth of a century and 
a half The soil at this point does not seem to differ mate- 
rially from that of the rest of the west part of the town, 
except that it is freer from stone, and the vegetable mould 
formed by decaying leaves and timber has added to its 
depth and richness. 

The principal water-course of the town is the outlet of 
Hog Lake and Lake Pleasant. It is called " Prairie River" 
on the maps, but has locally obtained the name of " Hog 
Creek." We are inclined to look upon this as a misnomer, 
for " Hog Creek" proper rises in the town of Reading, in 
Hillsdale County, flows through the towns of Allen, Quincy, 
Butler, and Girard, and empties into the Coldwater River 
at Orangeville. Prairie River is also the outlet of Lavine. 
Pleasant, and Crooked Lakes in Kinderhook. Throughout 
most of its course in this town it is bordered by wide 
marshes. In section 3 its course becomes more rapid, and 
sufficient fall is afforded to make a mill-site, which was 
occupied as early iis 1835, and has continued in use until 
the present .spring (1879), when the pond (which is believed 
to have been an obstacle in the way of securing proper drain- 
ago of the swamps and niar.shes) was condemned as a nuis- 
ance, and the dam is about to be torn down. The system 
of drainage, here incidentally referred to, was introduced in 
the town some eight or ten years ago, and has been ex- 
tended more or less every year since that time. By reason 
of it the level of the waters of the lakes has been lowered 
about three feet, and a large quantity of hitherto waste land 
has been redeemed, and is, or soon will be, under cultiva- 
tion. This system has also had a marked good effect upon 
the health of the citizens, for the draining of the marshes 
and sWamps has relieved the air of a load of malarial vapors 
that each spring and fall used to bring with great regularity. 
This result alone is ample recompense for all the expenses 
incurred in cutting ditches and deepening the channels of 



the streams. In the outset, this work met with much oppo- 
sition from some of the citizens, who looked upon it as in- 
volving great expense without securing any permanent good 
results. One of these was Samuel Arnold, who embodied 
his views on the suliject in a short poem, which, having a 
local interest, we here give for the benefit of our readers: 

" 1st. Tlie East GiU'iiil C:in:il, you will ])lease umtL-rstand, 
Is :i wonLlorful work, uiy brave boys ! 
For it (Iraitis the foul water from all our low land, 
Ami our idle young men it employs. 

"2d. But tbis great Canal, tbough a wonderful tbing, 
Is still but a foolish affair : 
*Twas planned by the mighty East flilead King 
To favor the gray-beaded Squire. 

":)d. But tbis gray-headed Squire will now have work to do. 
To keep out the dirt and quicksand, 
As along the Canal be walks to and fro, 
His long-handled hoc in his hand. 

'* -Ith. A very wise man made this statement of late, — 
S])eaking like some honest Qu.akcr; 
* The land the ditch drains, at a fair estimate, 
Is worth sixty dollars per acre.' 

** 5tb. But, if tbis swampy land has risen so high 
.Since this wonderful diteb was completed, 
'Tis ]>lain to be seen, if they sell, swap, or buy, 
Our farmers are bound to be cheated. 

" Gtb. AVboso travels tbis way, whether woman or man, 
Or gallant young ' beau' with bis ^gal,* 
Should make a short stop, and the wide landscape scan, 
And view the East Gilead Canal." 

The only large body of water lying wholly in this town 
is Gilead Lake, which lies in sections 6 and 7. It is 
irregular in form and covers an area of about 200 acres. 
Its waters are clear and cold, and overlie a bottom composed 
principally of clear, white sand or gravel. The average 
depth of the water is probably not far from forty feet. The 
great peculiarity of this lake is that it has no visible inlet 
or outlet. It is undoubtedly fed by hidden springs ; but 
what becomes of its overflow is an unsettled ([uestion. 
About a mile and a quarter distant, in a southeasterly 
direction, a large and never-failing spring bursts from the 
ground, which is looked upon by many as the outlet of the 
lake ; but this theory, though pilausible, is altogether specu- 
lative, as no means have yet been tried to verify the suppo- 
sition. The banks of the lake rise in bluffs from ten to 
fifteen feet high, and the shores are bold and composed 
mostly of sand and gravel. Through the efforts of the 
" Grangers" of this town, some two years ago the lake was 
stocked with 20,000 young white-fish, which were supplied 
by the Fish Commissioner of this State. 

In the south part of the town, in section 24, lies the 
greater part of Hog Lake, a portion of which extends be- 
yond the State line into Indiana. This lake is surrounded 
by marshes, and has a muddy shore and bottom. In sec- 
tions 22 and 23 is a part of Lake Pleasant, which lies 
mostly in Indiana. It is like Gilead Lake as regards its 
main features. 

The township, taken as a whole, ranks well in fertility 
and achqitaliility to the raising of general crops with any 
other town, and in the western part are some as fine farms, 
as well stocked, and furnished with as good buildings as 




SAMUEL ARNOLD. 




MRS. S. ARNOLD. 



SAMUEL ARNOLD. 



It has ever been the aim of the historian to preserve in 
history the names and deeds of kings and emperors, states- 
men and warriors, and it is meet that the names and 
deeds of the pioneers, to whose endurance, energy, and 
perseverance we of the present age owe so much, should 
be preserved and lianded down to the coming generations. 
Of the pioneers of Gilead none are deserving of more 
credit, or are held in higher esteem, tlian Samuel Arnold, 
the subject of this sketch. He was born in Middletown, 
Conn., where his parents resided until he was eleven years 
old, when they moved to Granby, Oswego Co., N. Y. Mr. 
Arnold's education was obtained at the district schools, 
except one term at the Cazenovia Academy ; yet he ac- 
quired what was then considered a fine education. Ar- 
riving at manhood, he worked on the farm of his father 
summers and tauglit school winters, his wages for teaching 
being from nine to twelve dollars per month. He taught 
in all thirteen terms. After his maturity he started out 
in life, at times jobbing in the woods winters, and running 
a canal-boat owned by him during the summer ; at other times 
teaching district schools. After his marriage he bought 
a small farm. In the fall of 1830 he was seized with the 
western fever, and sold his farm and came to Blichigan ; 
where the ensuing winter he taught school at Waterhouse 
Corners, which was the first school taught in Kinderhook 
township. In the spring of 1837 he bought of the govern- 
ment the west half of southeast quarter section eleven in 
Gilead, upon which he at once moved his family, and living 
four years in a small shanty, exchanged it for a comfortable 
log house, which Mrs. Arnold declares was better than the 
frame house they afterwards built. 

Mr. Arnold was a great worker, and in clearing new land 
and cutting hay in the marshes (often to his waist in water) 
he engendered the diseases which culminated in his death, 
Sept. 30, 1838. Mr. Arnold was a member of the Meth- 
odist Church fifty years. Before the days of school-houses 
and churches religious services were often held in his 
shanty by the pioneer circuit riders. During the last ten 
or twelve years of his life he was a gi-eat sufferer, but his 
sufferings were borne with true Christian fortitude. In 
early life Mr. Arnold was a Democrat, but on the formation 
of the Republican party he joined its ranks, and was ever 
afterwards an ardent member. He held for many years 
the office of school inspector and justice of the peace, and 
was also town clerk and postmaster. For his first wife he 
married Miss Huldah Remington, who lived but a year 
after her marriage. April 10, 1831, he was married to 
Miss Catherine S. Huganin, who was born March 20, 1805. 
There have been born to them six cliildren, as follows : 



William W., Aug. 25, 1832; Catherine E., May 5, 1834 ; 
Mary A., Feb. 18, 1836; Adeline S., Dec. IS, 1838; 
John W., Dec. 13, 18-10; Samuel A., July 2, 1845, died 
in the Union army, at Chattanooga, Tenn., March 24, 
1865. 

THE POOR INDIA-N". 

BY SAMUEL AliNOLIl. 

On Plymouth Rock our fathers landed 

In sixteen hundred and twenty : 
The Indians then were able-handed, 

And lived in peace and plenty. 

Our fathers drove them from their land, 

Their aged sires and mothers; 
And yet we venerate that band 

Of nuble Pilgrim Fathers. 

But we are told that William Penn — 

That noble-hearted Quaker — 
A treaty made with the red men. 

Their land bought by the acre. 

The Indians have been driven back, 

And shamefully been treated : 
Although in courage they ne'er lack, 

They've often been defeated. 

They once roamed over these beautiful plains 

Without molestation or fear ; 
They trapped and fished, enjoyed their small gains, 

And hunted their favorite deer. 

Will they ever revisit this spot 

AVhere the bones of their fatiiers now lie ? 

Ah, no ! they surely will not 
O'er them cast a tear or a sigh. 

Yet the Great Spirit watches their dust 

Till He shall bid it arise : 
All the great human family must 

Soon meet their dear Lord in the skies. 

We are wondering often, and led to inquire, 

As civilization advances, 
To what country or place will the Indians retire, 

And where will they hole! their war-dances? 

AVill those of Nebraska move West, 

And the rough Rocky Mountains inhabit, 

Where the wild game (and poor at the best) 
Is the tough grizzly bear and the rabbit? 

And where will the Oregon Indians go ? 

For the white man will soon dispossess them ; 
If they go to the plains of New Mexico 

May the good Lord pity and bless them ! 

Our kind, compassionate Father above 

Doth all His red children survey ; 
Have we a better claim to His love. 

His care and affection than they 'i 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



251 



any in the country. In llic (juaMtity of wlicat and corn 
rai.sed in proportion to its area Gilead takes the first place, 
according to tlie returns of the census of 1874. 

Tile town of Gilead received it.s name at llie hands of 
Bishop Chiise. Coming here in the spring-time, when tlie 
openings were carpeted with the verdant grass, and decked 
with a glorious profusion of bright-huod and fragrant 
blossoms, he saw the country at its best. As he stood 
upon a gentle eminence in the early morning, and looked 
through the vistas of the wood.'*, marking the swelling 
knolls and undulating hollows into which the surface was 
broken, he is said to have expressed his admiration and 
exaltation in the words, '■ This is surely the fliirest coun- 
try my eyes ever beheld ! Here will I make my home, 
and I will call this beautiful spot Gilead." And the name 
was and is still very appropriate, when we consider that 
it was first applied to the fairest portion of the " Land of 
Promise." It was probably suggested to the bishop by 
the j)lace from which he came. Mount Gilead, Ohio. 

The first settler in this town — and he was al.so the first 
settler in the southern tier of towns — was John Croy. He 
was a young man about twenty five years of age, and bad 
a wife named Margaret, who was a ro.sy and well-favored 
young woiuan, and two or three children. He came with 
a party from Monroe, and turned north at Bronson's 
Prairie. When next heard of he was at White Pigeon ; 
went from there to Pretty Prairie, and from that place 
came to Gilead early in the spring of 1831. He built a 
small pole shanty near the north line of the southea.st quar- 
ter of section 7, about one hundred rods west and a little 
.south of the present ISIethodist Episcopal churcli. It was 
a rude and rough affair, about twelve feet square, and fur- 
nished the pioneer family with shelter for several months, 
when it was supplanted by a log hou.sc built on the north 
side of the road, about fifty rods east and north of the 
slianty. While living in the shanty, and but a few weeks 
after their arrival, the young wife gave birth to a daughter, 
who was the first white child born in the town. She was 
christened Mary, and, reaching maturity, was married to 
Andrew Fuller, of this town, and both are still living here. 
Croy did not long remain a resident of this town, but in 
lS;J-t removed with his family to Iowa. At a later period 
he returned to Williams Co., Ohio, but finally went back to 
Iowa, and died there some four or five years ago. He was 
very eccentric in bis ways, — restless, uneasy, of fickle and 
changeable mind, and much given to moving about. It is 
said that he went West three times, and twice did not re- 
main long enough to unpack his goods. 

The next settler was one who figured largely in the early 
history of the town, and whose name, from its wide noto- 
riety, is perhaps the best known of any wliieli ever was 
connected with tiie town. We refer to Bishop Philander 
Chase. He came from Mount Gilead, in the State of Ohio, 
where he had been interested in a denominational school. 
His object in coming liere was to found an episcopalian 
college, and he thought' that here he could, by starting 
from the very foundation, build up not only a school, but 
also a community, over which he, by virtue of his priority, 
authority, and superiority, could wield a controlling influ- 
ence. He came quite early in the spring of 18Lil, and was 



accompanied, or rather piloteil in, by Wales Adams and 
Thomas Holmes. They found Croy on his place, and the 
bishop .selected bis land and entered it at the land-office at 
White Pigeon. He took up somewhere from 800 to 1000 
acres of the choicest lands in the township. Procuring 
boards from Wales Adams' mill in Bronson, the bishop 
erected a shanty in the form of a letter A, in which he 
lived, using his carriage for sleeping apartments. On the 
5th of May he went to White Pigeon and engaged Amasa 
Miller, Hiram Humphrey, and Thomas Thurber to come 
and build him a house. This hou.se was the first frame 
house erected in Gilead, and stood on the southwest (|uarter 
of section 9. One peculiarity of this house lay in the fact 
that it was built without the use of liquor. Froiu an ex- 
perimental knowledge, in his own family, of the evil effects 
liquor drinking produces, the bishop had learned to hate it 
with a holy honor, and would not allow it to be used on 
the premises, saying he " would not dare to live in a house 
in which li(|uor bad been used." The materials for this 
house, such as nails, screws, glass, putty, etc., were brought 
from White Pigeon by a man employed for that purpose. 
His name was Raymond, and, with the rest of the things, 
he brought an old wagon-cover, under which the party slept 
and stored their utensils and provisions during their stay 
of three weeks. The water to satisfy the thirst of the men 
had to be brought from Gilead Lake in a six-tjuart tin pail. 
The bishop's family at this time consisted of his wife and 
four children, — Dudley, Henry, Mary, and Philander, Jr., 
— the eldest being about twenty, and the youngest about 
eleven years of age. During this same season he built a 
house near the middle of .section 8, for a tenant, James 
Glass, who assisted him in his farming operations. It stood 
there many years, and was called the " Glass House." The 
next season the bishop erected another and larger dwelling 
and moved his family into it, and that year he harvested 40 
acres of wheat, which he had sown the fall before, which 
was the first 40 acres of wheat grown in Branch County. 
In furtherance of the object which brought him here the 
bi.shop built a school building in 18:53. It was about 20 
by 30 feet square, and two stories high. In this a small 
school was taught by the bishop's nephew, Samuel Chase. 
The bishop's niece, Mrs. Russell, and her daughter Sarah, 
were at this time members of his family, and an ardent 
affection sprang up between the nephew and grand-niece, 
which resulted in their marriage. This wedding — the first 
ill the town — occurred on a Sabbath morning in the latter 
part of the summer, iiii mediately after the usual service. 
The attendance on that occasion w;is unusually large, many 
coming from a distance, among them .several from English 
Prairie, Ind. Of those present at the ceremony — which was 
performed by the bishop, clad in all the dignity of his offi- 
cial robes, and which lasted a very long time — but one per- 
son is now living in Gilead. That one is Mr. Samuel Booth. 
Soon after this Bi.shop Chase went on a mission to England 
to solicit aid to build his college, and while still absent his 
dwelling caught fire, and in .spite of all eftbrts to save it 
burned to the ground. A large share of the furniture and 
household effects were saved by the exertions of the family 
and servants. News of this disaster at last reached the 
bishop in the mother-country, and the report rapidly spread 



252 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



that Bishop Chase's " mansion" in Aniciiica had burncJ 
with all its conteuts. 

The result proved beneficial to the bishop's project, for, 
through sympathy, many large sums of money were do- 
nated to assist him in rebuilding and in carrying out his pet 
project. One widow lady is said to have given §1100 in 
a lump. To secure such munificent donations as this the 
bishop could well afford to lose oven a much more preten- 
tious " mansion" than the one he had erected in Gilead. 
When he came to this country from Oliio, the bishop 
brought a large drove of cattle numbering about one hundred 
head, and also brought some grass-seed, which he sowed 
broadcast in the openings as he rode through them on horse- 
back. This grass was different from any of the native 
grasses, and resembled somewhat the famous " blue grass" 
of Kentucky. It was easily propagated and hard to kill, 
soon spread throughout the region, and became known as 
" bishop grass." It is still found here, and is considered a 
valuable grass. In person the bi.shop was tall and portly, 
and when dressed in the flowing robes of his office pre- 
sented a dignified and majestic appearance. His disposi- 
tion was a little inclined to haughtiness, especially toward 
those who refused to show what lie considered proper rev- 
erence for " the bishop." He had a full appreciation of 
the dignity of his office, and in requesting favors of his 
neigiibors never used any other formula than this : ''Tell 
such a one that ' tlic bishop' wants such a thing." This 
air of superiority no doubt had a marked effect upon the 
state of feeling existing between the bishop and his neigh- 
bors, many of whom were iNIethodists, and had no sympathy 
with anything that savored of aristocracy or hinted at dis- 
play, and made the opposition to his enterprise more stern 
and uncompromising. No doubt this apparent hostility 
and spirit of independence had something to do with the 
bishop's change of location, when, in the spring of 1836, 
he sold out his interests here and removed to Robin's Nest, 
near Peoria, 111., where he succeeded in establishing his 
college and received the appointment of bishop of that dio- 
cese. Although his enterprise here was in a great measure 
unsuccessful, yet the effect upon the people was very bene- 
ficial, stimulating them to live upon a little higher plane 
than the frontiersmen generally felt called upon to adopt. 
Who shall say how much of the intelligence and cul- 
ture, the advanced moral and religious feeling, and the 
public spirit and thrift which mark the town of Gilead, 
found their birth in the spirit of emulation which the 
bishop's life here fostered and encouraged ? The seminary 
building which was erected by the bishop remained stand- 
ing on the present farm of Joseph Keeslar, on section 9, 
until about two years ago, when it was torn down. The 
bishop also built the first saw-mill in town, on Prairie 
River, near the east line of section 4, in 1834-35. 

Following Bishop Chase, in June, 1831, came Abishai 
Sanders, with his wife, Rachaol, and children. Charity, 
Keturah, Jusiah, Levi, John, Jesse, Elijah, and Benja- 
min, the youngest being only two or three years old. They 
came from Big Island, Marion Co., 0. Their conveyances 
consisted of two wagons, one of them drawn by two yokes 
of oxen, and the other by one yoke of oxen and a horse. 
Traveling by the way of Sandusky and Toledo, they fol- 



lowed the Territorial road and the Chicago turnpike to Bron- 
son's Prairie, and then turning southward, followed the 
Indian trail leading to Jackson Prairie, Ind., till they came 
to the land Mr. Sanders had entered in the fall of the 
previous year. This land was on sections 8 and 18, and 
consisted of 240 acres. The family hastily constructed 
a pen of rails, covered it with a shake roof, and in this 
primitive dwelling found shelter while they prepared some 
ground, planted some potatoes, and sowed some turnips. 
They had brought with them a " bull-plow," which had 
to be wooded before it could be used, and the crops were 
not got into the ground until the 4th of July. Then 
logs were cut and prepared and a comfortable log house 
built, into which the family moved early in the fall, and 
found it an agreeable change from their former cramped 
and uncomfortable quarters. Abishai Sanders was one of 
the substantial citizens of the town for about twenty years, 
and was the first supervisor, holding that office six suc- 
cessive years. He sold his property here and removed to 
Vermilion Co., 111., where he died about twelve years ago. 
His widow returned to this town and made her home with 
Jo.siah till her death, in 1872. In the fall of 1S4G there 
was a great deal of typhoid fever among the people, and 
John and Jesse Sanders died of that disease. Keturah 
married Elsley W. Fuller, removed to Steuben Co., Ind., 
and died there. Charity is still living near the line be- 
tween Indiana and Illinois. Levi became a minister of the 
go.spel, was appointed chaplain of the 125th Illinois In- 
fantry, and was killed in a skirmish at Park's Ford, on the 
Tennessee River, during the Rebellion. Elijah is now a 
resident of Nebraska, and Benjamin lives in Oregon. The 
only one of the family still residing in Gilead is Josiah, 
who, in 1840, married Mary Miller, of Indiana, bought a 
farm of eighty acres on section 17, and has since lived 
there, rearing a family of children and improving the land. 

About the same time with Sanders came a bachelor 
named — '■ — Downer, from some of the New England 
States, and entered three lots of land on the north .shore 
of Gilead Lake. He built the first log house in the town, 
on section 0, about twenty rods south of what has since 
become widely known as Marsh's Corners. This house 
stood there for several years, and furnished a temporary 
home for the families of several of the pioneers, among 
them the Booths, Clarks, and Eastmans. It was torn 
down about 1842. Downer did not remain here long. 
The Clark here mentioned built a house on the opposite 
side of the road, and soon after removed to near Elkhart, 
Ind. 

In this same season, or early in the succeeding year, 
Benjamin Leverich settled in the southwest part of the 
town. The family consisted of father and mother and 
eight children. One of the daughters was Mrs. Wm. 
McClerg, and her husband and two children also belonged 
to the party. They came from Columbiana Co., Ohio. 
Benjamin and his oldest son, Thomas, were prominent mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former, 
especially, was highly esteemed by his neighbors, and was 
a thorough farmer as well as an energetic and consistent 
Christian. In 1852 the entire family (with the exception 
of one daughter who had married Daniel Marsh) removed 






|(ilRs. Daniel Marsh. 



Daniel Marsh. 



DANIEL MARSH. 



Among the early settlers of Gilead was Daniel 
Marsh, who came to Michigan from the town of 
Clay, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1834. 
He was born in Erie Co., Pa., May, 1812, and 
while Daniel was yet a lad his father moved to 
Onondaga County, where he worked at day labor to 
support his family. As soon as Daniel was old 
enough he, too, was compelled to go out to work, 
and his earnings went to help support the family. 
His chances for an education were very limited, as 
he attended school but three mouths ; still he was 
a great reader and a close observer, and in time 
fitted himself to do any ordinary business. 

When he arrived in Michigan his worldly pos- 
sessions consisted of fifty dollars in money and a 
half-interest in a yoke of oxen. In the spring of 
1834 he entered the southeast quarter of northwest 
quarter section 18, in Gilead, and bought, second- 
handed, the northeast quarter of north wast quarter 
same section. The land was unimproved, but the 
energy and perseverance of Mr. Marsh soon over- 
came all obstacles, and the wilderness was made to 
" blossom as a rose." 

Soon after his arrival he was married to Miss 
Mary Leverich, whose father was one of the first 



settlers in the township. She was born in Ohio, 
February, 1817. Their union has been blessed 
with four children as follows : Martha J., born 
Jan. 16, 1837; Cilicia A., born September, 1840; 
Lester M., born Oct. 6. 1845; and Alma S., born 
Aug. 4, 1855. All are now living. 

Mr. Marsh is spoken of by his neighbors and 
friends as an upright, industrious citizen, a kind 
friend, and an esteemed neighbor. To the small 
tract he first bought he has added, until at this 
time he owns a well-improved farm of two hun- 
dred and sixty acres, acquired by hard work and 
good management. 

In early life he was in politics a Whig ; he is 
now and since the organization of the Republican 
party has been an ardent Republican. He has 
been several times supervisor of his township, and 
has always taken a deep interest in educational 
matters, his own experience making him desirous 
that his own and his neighbors' children should have 
the advantages of which he himself was deprived. 

Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are members of the Meth- 
odist Church, to which they have belonged over forty 
years, during all wliich time their daily walk in life 
has been that of devoted, earnest Christians. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



253 



to Oregon. While crossing the Hiiiiibulilt llivir on tlieir 
way to the Pacific coast one son, Abishai, was drowned. 

In the spring of 18:?2, IJeiijamin Booth left his former 
lionic in Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and came as far 
West as Niles' Corners, in Oakland County, where his 
stepson, William Purdy, was living, and leaving his family 
there, he and Purdy started West to look for land. When 
they arrived at Bron.son they heard of Bishop ('ha.se, and 
decided to make him a visit. They did so, and when they 
had looked upon the openings Booth said he desired to go 
no farther, for this country W!v< "good enough for him." 
They tlien procured a map, and finding what lands were not 
yet taken up, made their selections, and going to the land- 
office entered them in July. Jlr. Booth then returned 
and brought his family from Oakland Cimuty, arriving in 
(iiiead in August. They first moved into the Downer 
house, and about two months later into the house they had 
built on the south shore of Gilead Lake. A couple of 
years later Mr. Booth built the second frame house in the 
town, and the principal room was for a few years used as 
a place for holding elections and religious meetings. The 
Methodists, of which denomination Mr. Booth was a mem- 
ber, held circuit-preaching there very frequently. Mrs. 
Booth died in 1850, and Mr. Booth in February, 1853. 
Their children were five in number, — two sons and three 
daughters. One daughter died in Gilead, and two are 
living in Iowa. Of the sons, Jesse removed to Oregon in 
1854, and is now living there, and Samuel is an honored 
citizen of Gilead, having a fine farm and residence on sec- 
tion 8. 

James Kelly, whose wife was a si.ster of the first .settler, 
John Croy, settled near the southeast corner of section 7 
in the spring of 1833. He came from Marion Co., Ohio. 
In 1836 he sold his farm to Eli.sha B. Williams, reserving 
a crop of 11 acres of wheat, which he harvested before 
leaving the town, and then went to Williams Co., Ohio, 
whore he died .some thirty years ago. 

John McKinley was a descendant of seven generations 
of John McKinley 's, each of whom was an eldest son, and 
all of whom were blacksmiths. He came from Scotland in 
182(5, and lived at Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., N. Y., 
until he came here in 1833. He was accompanied by his 
own family and his wife's mother, brother, and sister, 
Margaret, James, and Christina Bonnie. James Bennie 
went to work for Bishop Chase, and three years later 
settled on the farm in Bethel which is now occupied by 
his son-in-law, Judson Sweeting. Mr. McKinley lived on 
the farm he took up on section 8, till his death, which 
occurred Feb. 5, 187G. His wife died in 1878. Their 
children, John McKinley, Jr., and Mrs. Margaret Love, 
are living on the est;»te, the latter occupying the old home- 
stead. Two children, born after the family came here, died 
some ten or fifteen years ago. 

Francis Bull, with his wife and three eliildren, came here 
in 1833 or 1831, from Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and 
settled near Gilead Lake, on the town-line between Noble 
and Gilead. Two daughters were born to them after they 
settled here, and the j'oungest, Kmma, was drowned in the 
lake when two or three years old. Her mother was down 
beside the lake doinsr her washiuj:, and went to the house 



after some soap, leaving the children on the beach. \Vliile 
she was goi«3 Emma ran out on the plank on which they 
stood to dip the water, fell into the lake, and drifted out 
of reach. Help was secured as soon as possible, and she 
wa-s taken from the water, but life was extinct, and every 
effort to resuscitate her proved of no avail. She was the 
only person ever drowned in Gilead Lake. Francis Bull, 
his two sons, George and William, and his daughter, Mrs. 
Mary Merritt, died in this town at different times from 
1852 to 1860. ITis other daughter, Ellen, married Dwight 
C. Marsh, a physician, who served in the army as a surgeon 
during the Rebellion. After the close of the war he was 
appointed collector of customs at El Paso, on the Rio 
Grand River, in Texas. He died in Coldwater about five 
years ago, while on a visit there, and his widow and children 
still live at El Paso. Mrs. Bull went there to live with her 
daughter and died .soon afterward. 

At about the same time that Mr. Bull settled here, fami- 
lies named Crain and Sterne came in ; but they stayed only 
a short time before they again " moved on." A man by 
the name of Charles Richards settled on the town-line in 
the southwest corner of the town in 1832. His house was 
built in the town of Noble, but, lest it should escape men- 
tion, we notice it here, for it is still standing, and is u.sed 
as a dwelling. It is the oldest residence in the vicinity, 
having been in constant use in that capacity for upwards of 
forty-six years. 

The Marsh family, consisting of Mrs. Marsh, her four 
sons, Wallace, D.iMiel, Ebenezer, and John, her daughter, 
Polly, and her son Wallace's wife and two or three children, 
came from Clay, Onondaga Co., N. Y., in the foil of 1834. 
They lived in the unoccupied Clark house through the win- 
ter until December, having Isaac Freeman and his family 
with them. Daniel Marsh and his mother took up and 
purchased 200 acres in the north part of section IS. A 
year later he married Mary Leverich. They are now living 
in Oregon, where they went in the fall of 1873. Wallace 
settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 
18, and died here but a few years later. Ebenezer and 
John also secured farms and became respected citizens of 
the town. The former died here in February, 1856, and 
the latter removed to Oregon. Lester M. Marsh and Jlrs. 
Alma S. Luce are the only representatives of the family 
remaining in Gilead. They are children of Daniel Marsh. 

Lyman W. Lyon also settled here in 1834. He was a 
one-legged shoemaker, and built himself a .shop on the town- 
line road, a little south of Gilead Lake, where he worked 
at his trade. He was the first shoemaker in the town, and 
died here many years ago. 

William Sweeting also settled in the northwest corner of 
the town that same season. His son Judson is now living 
in the adjoining town of Bethel. The Sweetings came 
from Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y. 

In the j'ear 1835, Jeremiah Bogardus, his nephews, Eli 
and Joseph Bogardus, and Ezekiel Fuller, with his wife, 
his sons, Elsley W., Jarcd, Merrill, Franklin, Andrew, and 
Chauncey, and his daughter Lucia, became residents of 
Gilead. The Fullers settled in the east part of the town, 
adjoining Kinderhook. Ezekiel afterwards moved to Indi- 
ana, and died in that State. All the rest, save Jarcd and 



254 



HISTOKY OF BKANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Andrew, removed from tlie tcjwii, but they still remain 
here. 

William Purdy was one of the pioneers of the State, 
landing in Detroit on the 4th day of July, 1824. He 
came from Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., and, with his wife and 
one child, settled in Oakland County, near the present vil- 
lage of Auburn. A year later he moved to the town of 
Troy, in that cjunty, and lived at a place now called " Niles' 
Corners" till he came to Gilead in January, 18!-j.5, and oc- 
cupied the land he had taken up in 1832. He rented the 
vacant house built by Francis Bull, and lived there one 
year, during which time he had a log house built on his 
land, and twenty acres broken up and sown to wheat. He 
then moved on to his place. He was the first blacksmith 
in the town, and by working for the settlers and taking a 
portion of his p.ay in "breaking," he managed very soon to 
get his farm under cultivation. His land Wits the ea.-vt half 
of the .southwest quarter of section 9, and his house, barn, 
and shop were built so that when an accurate survey was 
made, they were found to be partially in the highway. 

Mr. Purdy is .still living on the same place, with his son 
Wheeler and daughter Mary A. Ilis wife died some twelve 
years ago. Two sons died in Oakland County, and four — 
George, James, Blue, and Robert — died here. The last of 
these died of consumption, and at the time of his death, 
in 1869, was serving his seventh term as town clork. An- 
other son, Thaddeus, studied law and was admitted to the 
bar, but getting the Califoniia fever, emigrated to that 
State, and was soon after elevated to the office of prosecut- 
ing attorney. A man had committed a murder and was 
placed under arrest, and a crowd of miners had gathered 
for the purpose of taking him from the officers and lynching 
him. The officers, among them being Purdy, were prepar- 
ing to defend the life of the prisoner, when, in handing 
about the firearm.s, a revolver was accidentally discharged, 
and the bullet struck Purdy in the back of the head, making 
a fatal wound. Cornelia, one of the daughters, married 
Benjamin Sanders, and is now living in Oregon. The last 
of this family of children, Edward, is now living in Ala- 
bama. He was town clerk of Gilead for several years, and 
lield the office of constable for eighteen successive years. 

Job Williams became a resident of this town in 183G, 
arriving here with his wife and his children, Elisha B., 
Warren C, S. Zelotus, Lawrence B., Edward M., Char- 
lotte D., and Susan J., on the 25th of May. He had 
previously bought 300 acres of land on the north shore of 
Gilead Lake, and here he built a log house, into which he 
moved with all of his family except Elisha B., who, with 
his wife and three chiMren, moved into the house on the 
Kelly place, which he had purchased. The house Job 
built stood about twelve rods from the lake-shore. He 
bought his land of a lawyer living in Manlius, N. Y., who 
had allowed Bishop Cha.se to have what he could raise upon 
it, to assist in carrying out his college scheme. The bishop 
had allowed James Bennie and John McKinley to sow a 
part of it to wheat. Williams, however, not having bar- 
gained to do so, would not allow the bishop to harvest the 
crop, and this made the bishop very angry. When the 
bishop sold out, Williams wanted to buy a cow of him, but 
he would not sell to him under any consideration. So 



Williams got William Purdy to buy the cow for him, 
which he did, and when the bishop found out how he had 
been circumvented his righteous indignation knew no 
bounds. In the spring of 1837 Mr. Williams purchased 
a cast-iron plow at Clinton and brought it to Gilead. It 
was the first improved plow brought into the town, and did 
a great amount of work that season, running from early 
dawn till dark, and on moonlight nights running all night 
long. Job lived in this town until March 24, 1857, 
when he died of heart-disease in the old house, then used 
as a shop, where he had gone to fix something pertaining to 
the farm. His wife died October 1, 1852. The oldest 
and the youngest sons, Elisha B. and lidward M. Williams, 
are still residing in Gilead, engaged in farming and in man- 
ufacturing a plaster and grass-seed sower, invented by the 
latter, and patented June 13, 187G. The first-named of 
these brothers claims to have raised the largest field of 
wheat ever sown in Branch County. It was on what is 
known as " Kane's Prairie," on section 32, in the town of 
Bethel. The first year he broke up and put into wheat 
100 acres, and the next year he broke up 150 acres, plowed 
the other 100, and sowed tli£ whole 250 acres to wheat. 
Charlotte D. and Susan J. are both living in Kansas, Simon 
Z. in Coldwater, and Lawrence B., when last heard from, in 
California. The other son, \\''arron C, died Feb. 14, 1843, 
and was buried in the ground near the Union cliurch. His 
was the first interment there. This burial-ground, contain- 
ing about one acre, was given for the purpose by Job and 
Edward M. Williams. 

Benjamin S. Wilkins, from Marion Co., Ohio, was the 
first settler (except the Fullers) east of Prairie lliver 
in Gilead. He came first in the summer of 1831, and 
located some land on the southeast quarter of section 13. 
He then returned to Ohio and was married tliere, coming 
to Gilead again in the month of September, 1836, and he 
and his wife hired out to work for Abisliai Sanders for a 
year. Before commencing work for Sanders he built a log 
house on his land, his wife meanwhile remaining at the 
house of a relative in Indiana. At the expiration of their 
year at Sanders' they moved into their house. The house 
was not a great distance from Hog Lake, and, when short 
of provisions, Jlr. Wilkins often went to the lake and re- 
turned in a few minutes with fish enough for an abundant 
meal. Mr. Wilkins, assisted by his son John, cleared and 
brought under cultivation his farm of 160 acres, and added 
to it by subsequent purchases. He died on the homestead, 
Aug. 17, 1872. His wife, Melinda, still survives him, and 
lives on the homestead with her sou John H. Two other 
children, Mrs. Keturah E. Walter and Mrs. Susan Bixley, 
are also residents of the town . Four sons and two daughters 
have died in this town since the family settled here. 

Samuel Arnold, in the fall of 1836, left his wife and three 
children in New York and came to Kinderhook, where he lived 
through the winter with his wife's uncle, John AVaterhouse, 
at what is known as " Waterhouse Corners." That winter 
he taught the first school kept in the town of Kinderhook. 
During the winter he looked for land, and selected the west 
half of the southeast quarter of section 11, in this town, 
went to the land-office and entered it. He then returned 
to his home in New York, and in the fall of 1837 came 



IIISTOllY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



255 



with his family and lived for a few weeks in a house on the 
shuivs of IIul; L;iki', whiili liud l)wn liiiilt in 183G by a 
man named 15iady, who soon after left tiie town. lie then 
Ijiiik a .shanty oti his land, moved into it, and lived there 
four years, when he moved itito a lo^ hou.se he had built a 
little east of the shanty, near the State road. Mr. Arnold 
w;us the first settler at Ea.st Gilead, and the locality reecivcd 
its name — still in common use — of " Arnold's Corners" after 
liim. His farm was on the timbered opening;, and he changed 
it, so that at the time of his death he owned the south half 
of the southeast quarter of .section 11 and the 40 acres ad- 
joining it on the west. His widow and .son, John W., are 
at present living on the homestead. For a more detailed 
sketch of Samuel Arnold the reader is referred to the chapter 
of biographies. 

Obed Dickinson was a native of Massachusetts, and came 
from Amherst, Hampshire Co., to Michigan in the spring 
of 1830. Leaving his family with a son, who was living 
in Macomb County, he came on West in search of a location 
till he reached Taylor & Stephens' tavern, on the Chicago 
road, ill Hatavia. There he was told that they had some 
desirable land to dispose of, and they brought him to Gilead 
and sold him four 80-acrc lots, two in Hethel and two in 
(iilead. Mr. Dickinson then purchased an acre of land at 
Marsh's Corners, and built there the largest log house in 
this part of the county. His family, consisting of his wife, 
E.xpcrience, and his children, Obed, Jr., Abigail C, Joel 
B., Uichard C, and Julia A., then came on and moved 
into the house. The eldest son, Obed, was educated at 
Atidover Theological Seminary, near Boston, Mass., was 
ordained as a Congregational minister, and in 1853 went to 
Oregon as a home missionary. He is now living at Salem. 
Joel, with his brother Ocram, who never resided here, settled 
in Towa a Covf years later, and is now living at Muscatine, 
in that State, llichard devoted his life to mercantile pur- 
suits, and is now engaged in the produce trade at Toledo, 
Ohio. Abigail, now Mrs. Samuel Booth, and Julia, now 
Sirs. Cyrus G. Luce, are still residing in Gilead. Obed 
Dickinson died in the fall of 1838, of disease caused by the 
climate, and his wife survived him about seven yc^ars. 

Peter Keeslar, who, with his wife, is still living in the 
south part of Gilead, on the farm he originally settled, came 
here with his wife and four sons in 1837. Two children, 
Joseph and Mrs. Sarah Immels, are also living in this town. 

Don C. Mather also settled in the south part of the town 
in 1837. He was a mill-wright by trade, and was a reliable 
man and an estimable citizen. He died here about ten 
years ago, leaving a son, Frederick, who lives on the home- 
stead, and a daughter, Mrs. Loretta Wheeler, who lives at 
Orlaiid, Iiid. 

Burr D. Gray was also a settler of 1837. His trade was 
that of carpenter and joiner, and he assisted in the erection 
of many houses and other buildings in Gilead. He died in 
Coldwatcr several years ago. His children all removed from 
town. .^Irs. David N. Green, of Coldwater, was one of them. 

Emerson INLirsh, after whom " Tiic Corners" on the north 
line of tlu! town was named, was the first merchant in 
(iilead. He came from the town of Camden, in Oneida 
Co., N. Y., ill the spring of 1838, and brought with iiim a 
jieddler's wagon, well slocked with such goods as bethought 



would be in demand among the settlers. With this rig he 
traveled about the country for two or three years, and then 
traded his horses and wagon for forty acres of land in the 
north part of the town. This land he subserjuently traded 
for forty acres in the northeast corner of section 6, and on 
that, in 1841 or 1842. he built a large store, and filled it 
with a fine stock of goods. He continued in bu.siness there 
till IS.tG, buying largo quantities of grain and produce, and 
running a large "asliery" in connection with the store, and 
then removed to Coldwater, where he is now living. While 
living here his wife (^formerly Maria Dickinson) died, and 
he was afterwards married to Mrs. Ilaynes, of Coldwater. 
He was a valuable citizen, being a man of energy and ex- 
cellent judgment in business matters, and a firm and con- 
sistent member of the Presbyterian Church, of which he 
was a deacon. The store building has been removed about 
one mile and a half south of its former location, and is used 
by Mr. E. B. Williams as a dwelling. 

Horace B. Williams, who was a nephew of Job Williams, 
settled here about the year 1838. He was for many years, 
a prominent citizen of the town, and held several town 
offices, among them supervisor, treasurer, and justice of the 
peace. He is now living in Bronson. He is said to have 
introduced the first threshing-machine, ever used in Gilead, 
about the time of his settlement. 

Jared Fox, Isaac Adams, and Chester Adams settled in 
the east part of the town in the fall of 1838, and James 
Ferguson and George D. Lods in 1839. The latter w-as the 
firet blacksmith in this part of the town. He now resides 
in the west part of the town. 

Ilev. Jebiel H. Hard .settled here about 1840. He wa.s 
a local preacher of the Methodist Church, and the .second 
supervisor of the town. He held the office three years. 
He was also what is known as ''side-judge" of the court. 
He subsequently removed to the north part of the State, 
and was killed by a kick from a horse. 

Joshua Callum was one of the "characters" of the' east- 
ern part of Gilead. Settling here about 1840, he devoted 
his time and attention to bunting and trapping, and was 
very successful, btiving command of the mysterious arts of 
woodcraft in a degree seldom jiosscssed by any, even among 
those children of the forest, the Indians. 

The Green family left Akron (Ohio) on the 19th of 
April, 1841, arrived in Gilead on the 9th of June, and 
moved into the half-finished house of D. C. Mather. 
" Uncle Dave," as the liead of the family was familiarly 
called, had bought 200 acres of land on the State line at 
$3.80 per acre, of David Waterman. But five acres of this 
had been improved. Assisted by Cornelius Irving, Mr. 
Green built a small frame house, into which the family 
moved about the middle of July. The eldest son, David 
N., had come West with his father, when the land was pur- 
chased, and, while his father was gone East after the family, 
he plowed and planted the improved land. Sir. Green was 
a man of great powers of endurance and po.ssesscd uncom- 
mon energy. For twenty-six years he resided in this town, 
and then removed to Coldwater, where he is now living. 
David X. Green has risen to considerable prominence in the 
field of political and public life. He removed to Coldwater 
about twenty years ago, and is still living there. He has 



256 



HISTRRY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



held the oflSces of sheriff, United States assessor, deputy 
provost-marshal, and judge of probate, which latter office 
he now holds, having entered upon his "third term" in 
that position. Another son, Elijah C. S. Green, is a suc- 
cessful farmer, and has a fine farm and pleasant location on 
section 9. His brother, Alexander R., lives in the south 
part of the town. 

Constant Voinett, Warren Tyler, Peter Gino, and Jesse 
Barrett settled in the east part of the town in 1842, 
Leander Merrill in 1S43, Wm. J. Phelps in 1844, John G. 
and James Bartlett in 1845, and John, Peter, Cornelius, 
and Benoni Sinclair about that time. These all took up 
and improved, new farms. The Phelps here mentioned 
was blessed with a religious experience rather more varied 
and extensive than falls usually to the lot of mankind. 
He was converted and baptized three times before he left 
Gilead. The first time he was baptized as a Methodist, 
then immersed as a Free-Will Baptist, and lastly baptized as 
a member of that immaculate sect, the Latter-day Saints or 
Mormons. As a member of this denomination he ex- 
hibited great zeal, and anxiously sought the conversion of 
his friends to that peculiar belief Among others he ear- 
nestly pleaded with Samuel Arnold and his wife to join 
the Mormons. Mrs. Arnold, somewhat curious to learn in 
regard to such matters, said to him, " Mr. Phelps, you 
have been baptized as a Methodist, Baptist, and Mormon. 
Now, where is the difference in the efficacy of the rite ?" 
'■ Mrs. Arnold," he replied, " the difference is this: when 
I was baptized as a JMormon I received the Holy Ghost in 
the water." Considering the habits of life and the un- 
savory practices of the Mormons, it seems very improbable 
that many of the members of the sect ever met with the 
same experience. 

Lemuel L. Graham came from Sturgis to Gilead in 
1845, and bought a large tract of land that had formerly 
belonged to Bishop Chase. He had lived in Sturgis eleven 
years, and died the year after he settled here. His son, 
Lemuel L., now lives on the homestead, which is the 
southwest quarter of section 17. Professor Daniel Graham, 
once president of Hillsdale College, and now a resident of 
Chicago, and A. J. Graham, of New York, the celebrated 
short-hand reporter, author of a number of works on pho- 
nography, and inventor of the phonographic system which 
bears his name, were sons of Lemuel L., Sr., and lived 
in Gilead a portion of their lives. The history of A. J. 
Graham is quite peculiar. It is thus briefly and graphic- 
ally sketched by Mr. T. Coweli in a series of articles pub- 
lished in the Coldwater RepuhUcan in the winter of 1879 : 
" With a great love for study and mental improvement he 
had no aptitude or liking for farm work, and acquired the 
reputation of being lazy. He was, however, trying to dis- 
cipline his mind and store it with useful knowledge, and 
when finally, by accident, he came across an old pamphlet 
treating upon the art of stenography, he at once set at 
work, without any tutor, to master the science. To a 
young friend he said, ' I have commenced the study of the 
art of phonography, and I shall never rest satisfied until I 
have scaled the loftiest heights of the profession.' The 
results have more than justified the assertion. No author 
in the old world or new has ever achieved more prominence 



in this line than he. His disciples can be numbered by 
thousands." 

Among the later settlers we find Hon. Cyrus G. Luce, 
who first took up his residence in Gilead in August, 
1849. He has become the most distinguished citizen 
of the town, one of its most successful farmers, and 
receives, even as he merits, the affectionate regard, perfect 
confidence, and hearty esteem of his neighbors and ac- 
quaintances. A sketch of his life will be found in another 
part of this work. 

The experiences of the pioneers of Gilead were neces- 
sarily very like those of all pioneers. They had their 
peculiar trials, troubles, hardships, and privations to 
undergo, and enjoyed, also, their peculiar pleasures. These 
reminiscences will long be preserved as traditions among 
their descendants, but their preservation in the pages of 
history would involve a superhuman task, and load down 
the library shelves with unread volumes. Consequently, 
we are obliged to confine ourselves to mentioning only the 
most essential faets and the most unusual incidents. 

One Indian trail crossed this town from east to west, 
leading from an Indian camp or village in Kinderhook to 
English Prairie, in Indiana. There were many Indians 
here, pursuing their peculiar occupations, associating freely, 
and always on perfectly friendly terms, with the whites, and 
trading with them whenever opportunity offered. Before 
the whites had been long here these Indians were removed 
to their reservation in the Indian Territory. 

About the first and most important work that the settlers 
had to perform was that of breaking up the soil for crops. 
This was usually done with what was called a " bar-share" 
plow, a brief description of which may not be considered 
out of place here. The base, or foundation, of the plow 
was a flat plate of iron about 30 inches long, 20 inches 
wide, thick on one edge and thin on the other, the thick 
edge forming a landside. The forward end of this was 
laid with steel and made very sharp. On this a strong 
wooden post stood, reaching to, and mortised into, the 
beam, the whole being fastened firmly together by strong 
bolts. This beam was of wood, about 9 feet long, and 
some 5 by 7 inches in size. A coulter, made of steel and 
ground sharp, was clamped to the beam and reached to 
a notch in the share. To the beam and share a mould- 
board, rived out of a log having the proper twist, was at- 
tached. This mould-board was generally protected with a 
covering of sheet-iron. The handles were attached to the 
beam and to the mould-board. A clevis and wheel at the 
forward end of the beam completed this heavy and cum- 
brous piece of agricultural machinery. It would weigh 
between 200 and 300 pounds, and, when drawn by from 
6 to 12 yoke of oxen, would break up from 1 to 2 acres 
of land in a day, cutting a furrow about 18 inches wide 
and from 6 to 10 inches deep, and cutting off roots and 
stumps up to the thickness of a man's thigh without 
seriously checking the progress of the team. It required 
two men to use it, one to drive and the other to hold the 
plow. It is said that a man named Chauncey Morgan ran 
the first breaking plow in Gilead. Elisha B. Williams, 
Samuel Booth, and others, also did a good deal of this 
kind of work. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



257 



HisliDp Cliase biouglil tlio tirst carriaj^o into tliis town 
when he came, in ISiil. Benjamin Booth brought the first 
single carriaj<o when he eame, in 18:52. This vehicle was in 
great demand througiiout tlie region by those who desired 
to ride out in style. It met with a tragic fate about two 
yeai-s after. Mr. Booth kept it slieltered in a small shed, 
near wliieh stood a large blael<-oak tree. This tree it be- 
came necessary to cut down, and the work being done the 
tree began to fall. But (tlie be,st-laid plans, etc.), contrary 
to expectations, the tree in falling met with some obstruc- 
tion that caused it to sway from its proper direction, and 
fall with a thundering crash upon the shed and ill-fated 
carriage. A couple of years later Mr. Booth replaced the 
carriage with another, after which he drove to Syracuse, 
N. Y., and then drove back lien^, driving all the way, except 
from Detroit to Buffalo and from Buffalo to Detroit. This 
carriage lasted him a.s long as he lived. 

As illustrating the perfect confidence existing between 
the early settlers, we relate the following incident: Elisha 
B. Williams once wi.shed to use $100 in his business, and 
went to Abishai Sanders to borrow that amount. Mr. San- 
ders was at work at a distance from the house, and, when 
Mr. Williams had made known his errand, said to him, " I 
guess I can let you have it. Y^ou'll find the pocket-book on 
the mantel-shelf over the fireplace. Go and get it, take out 
what you want, and then put the book back." Mr. Wil- 
liams preferred to have Iiiiu go and get it, but he refused 
to do so. So he went to tile house, took down the pocket- 
book, which contained §500, and counted out the amount he 
wanted. Mrs. Sanders was present, but refused to get the 
money, saying she was " no hand to count it." When Mr. 
Williams went to pay back the borrowed money, he found 
Mr. Sanders in the woods, and tendered him the money. 
Sanih^rs refused to take it, saying, " You borrowed the 
money of the pocket-book, now you must pay it back to the 
pocket-book." And so he did. In the present age of the 
world such a method of conducting business transactions 
Would seem very novel indeed. Is it because people are 
less honest now than they were then ? 

The first post-office in town bore the name of Gilead, 
and was established in 1834, with Bishop Chase as the 
postmaster. It was kept afterwards for many years by 
Emerson Marsh at his store at " The Corners." His suc- 
cessors were Robert Ward, Theron Spring, and Dr. N. B. 
Hewett, who is the present incumbent. James Glass took 
the first contract for carrying the mails over the route, 
which was then only from Bronson to Gilead, and he sub- 
let it to Samuel Booth. The compensation was $30 per 
year. This office is now on the route from Bronson to 
Orland, Ind., and is supplied with a daily mail. The East 
Gilead post-office was established in May, 1857, and Sam- 
uel Arnold was first commissioned as postmaster. He 
served ten years, and wa.s succeeded by Almond S. Graves, 
who is the present postmaster. 

The first school in the town was the one kept by Samuel 
Chase ; but the first public school was kept by James Mc- 
Kinley, about 1830-37, in the first school-house erected in 
the town, a primitive structure occupying the site of the 
present residence of D. C. May, near the east shore of 
Gilead Lake. The building w;i.s not over 15 by 20 feet in 
33 



size, and built of logs hewed to some semblance of smooth- 
ness upon the inside of the room. Mi.<s Charlotte Hum- 
phrey was also an early teacher there. The first school in 
the east part of the town was kept by Viola Collins, about 
a mile east of Arnold's Corners, ;ts early ;is 1840. In the 
matter of education Gilead keeps pace with the times. Her 
schools are numerous and well sustained, and her school 
buildings indicative of good taste as well of a deep interest 
taken by the people in the cause of intellectual improvement. 

It is told by some people, whose powers of memory reach 
back to the earliest existence of the town, that Bishop Chase 
once platted a village on the shore of the lake ; and they 
find much amusement in recalling the fact that on his plat 
a lot reaching to the lake was designated " a mill-seat." It 
is probable that the bishop referred to a steam-mill seat. 
But, however this may be, no village ever existed there. 
Within a few years a little hamlet sprung up at Arnold's 
Corners, which bears the name of East Gilead, and boasts 
a dozen dwellings, a store, blacksmith-shop, church, and 
steam saw-mill. The saw-mill was a portable one, and 
was brought to its present location in the summer of 1870, 
by Messrs. Quimby Bros. It is now owned by Luke J. 
Carpenter and Thomas Clay, and is doing a good business. 
The blacksmith-shop was opened in 1871, by Adam Baker. 
A wagon-shop was added by Franklin Piatt, in 1873. 
John Hayues opened the first store (a small grocery), and 
kept it a year, commencing in the winter of 1875. The 
present store of Charles Carroll was opened by him in 
June, 1878, in the building fitted up in 1877 for that 
purpose by L. J. Carpenter. 

The town of Gilead was separately organized by the 
Legi-slature of 1836-37. Previously it had been first a 
part of the town of Green, and then either of Batavia or a 
township called Prairie River. There are no records or 
traditions that have enabled the writer to exactly determine 
what its political and civil relations were previous to its 
erection as a town by itself. 

The first town-meeting was lield on the third day of 
April, 1837, and, though the place of meeting is not 
recorded, was probably held at the house of Benjamin 
Booth. Abishai Sanders was elected Supervisor, and 
Albert W. Glass, Town Clerk. The names of others 
elected to office will be found elsewhere. Among others 
the following resolution was pa.ssed : " That all the officers 
elected at that election should (so far as they were entitled 
by virtue of their offices to draw compensation from the 
town) serve gratis." The record shows that the highest 
vote polled by any one candidate was 35. William Purdy 
was elected Poundmaster, and Jesse Booth and Daniel 
Marsh, Fence-Viewers. 

The bounty on wolves was fixed at one, two, and three 
dollars, respectively, for whelps, males, and females. 

A cursory examination of the records reveals a few 
amusing entries, among them the following in the record 
of " estrays," viz. : " A dark sorel or light Chestnut mare 
with dark mane and tail supposed to be three or four Years 
Oald." And, again, " a bay mare three white feet Star in 
the forward ;" and also, " one heifer Head white under 
her," etc. In the record of the town-meeting of 1858 is 
the following hieid paragraph : " Resolved, that all Bucks 



258 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



be restrained from running ;tt large ; voted, that every sutch 
Breacli thereof, after one day's Notice, Shall forfit five 
dollars for the same for every day it runs at large," and, 
further, " voted that it shall be fifty cents penality ahead 
for every horse runing at large. " The school inspectors, 
too, do not seem to have been selected entirely for their 
educational acquirements, for they are reported to have 
granted certificates to person.s whom they, " the under- 
sighned," had examined in " Othography. Grammer, Geog- 
raphy, and Arithmatic." Said certificates were to be good 
for two years, unless " anuld acording to law." At least 
once in the past the town is credited with having elected 
" Overceers" of highways. 

On the question of liquor selling, and liquor drinking as 
well, the town of Gilead has ever opposed the traflic and 
taken a bold stand for temperance. Shall we say that this 
fact, coupled with that of the material growth and pros- 
perity of the town, has no significance, and teaches the 
observant student of cause and effect no useful lesson ? 
In 1850 the town voted against license, and June 20, 1853, 
the vote on the adoption of the Maine law stood 65 to 14 
in favor of it. 

When the question of adopting the first State constitu- 
tion was being agitated, a convention was called to meet in 
Branch, and this town sent Elisha B. Williams and Jesse 
Booth as delegates. They traveled with one horse. One 
of them would ride it a couple of miles, then dismount, 
hitch the horse beside the road, and press forward on foot. 
The other one coming up would then mount the horse, 
pass the first, and riding a couple of miles dismount and 
leave the horse for the other when he came along. In this 
way they progressed till they reached their destination. 

The political history of Gilead has not been of a very 
exciting character. Moving along in the even tenor of her 
way, paying more regard to the personal qualifications than 
to the personal political afiiliations of candidates for town 
officers, she has, in the main, chosen wisel}', and escaped 
any serious maladministration of her affairs. Previous to 
1854 the political sentiment in the ascendancy was the 
Whig principle, though the strength of the parties was 
pretty evenly balanced. In the fall of 1854 some Gilead 
people became inquisitive to know something about the 
" American" party, but their queries were always met with 
the stereotyped phrase, " I don't know." This served to 
stimulate their curiosity, and some of them resolved to 
solve the mystery by bearding the bugbear in his den, — that 
is, they resolved to go to Coldwatcr, where a lodge had 
been started, and join it. In pursuance of this resolve 
David N. Green, George J. Langs, and Benjamin Sanders 
presented themselves at the proper time and received three 
degrees each, and were vested with authority to organize a 
lodge in Gilead. Upon their arrival home they began to 
talk privately with their friends and a meeting was agreed 
upon, which was held in an upper room in the Seminary 
building erected by Bishop Cha.se, and a lodge was organized 
with twenty-five members. The meetings were held weekly 
and the membership rapidly increased, until before the fall 
election came off they had a majority of the voters of the 
town in their ranks. They carried that election by a fair 
majority. But the thoughtful members of the party, after 



a careful and painstaking investigation of its principles, 
became convinced that they were pernicious in their tend- 
ency, and would, if carried out, result in the overthrow of 
free republican institutions. They therefore abandoned it, 
and organizing the Republican party marched to victory in 
the .spring election, with Daniel Marsh heading their ticket. 
From that time on the Republicans gained in numbers and 
strength, and the Democrats met with corresponding losses 
until they became so reduced as to maintain but a nominal 
existence. During the war, Gilead was the banner town 
for the Republican party in Branch County. In the spring 
of 1878 the National party was organized in a manner very 
similar to that which characterized the formation of the 
" Know-Nothings," and they carried the town by an average 
majority of about eight votes. At the election last fall, 
however, the tables were reversed, and the vote stood, Re- 
publicans, lOG; Nationals, 89; Democrats, 9. 

While the " Know-Nothings" were in full blast an amus- 
ing incident occurred which still remains fresh in the minds 
of those who were witnesses. Rev. Silas Headley, a minister 
of the Free- Will Baptist denomination, had been prevailed 
upon to send in his name, and being accepted, presented 
himself for initiation along with Robert Purdy and several 
other candidates. The meetings were then being held in a 
partially finished house, and the floor of the first ante-room 
was covered with shavings. One of the workmen had in 
some way injured himself, and on the shavings which 
strewed the floor there was considerable blood. Headley 
was a somewhat nervous and timorous man, and Purdy was 
quite a wag, so, to beguile the weary moments of waiting, 
he detailed, for the benefit of his auditors, and especially of 
Headley, all the horrible tales he could invent regarding the 
awful and lawless procedures of the " Know-Nothings." 
Headley grow nervous and fidgety under this treatment, 
and several times declared that he thought perhaps he had 
better " back out." At last Purdy began to comment upon 
the sanguinary appearance of the shavings, and said he had 
no doubt that it was caused by the blood of some traitor to 
the order, whose throat had been cut to punish him for his 
duplicity and treachery. Just at this moment a door opened 
and the candidates were ushered into another room, Headley 
being in a free perspiration and fairly shaking with fright. 
As they entered, a sepulchral voice from some unseen corner 
rolled forth the words, " Guards, do your duty .'" This 
capped the climax, and with a yell of fear, and a promise 
not to reveal anything he had learned, Headley sprang 
through the doorway, rushed down the stairs mounted his 
horse, and dashed away through the night as it pursued by 
a thousand spirits of darkness. 

During the war of the Rebellion, Gilead sent out 72 of 
its citizens to battle for the Union cause. Of that number 
about one-third never came back, but gave their lives as 
noble sacrifices upon the altar of their country. By refer- 
ence to the list of soldiers published in another part of this 
work, their names will be seen. But in the hearts of their 
friends and grateful fellow-citizens they need no other tablet 
than the love and honor with which their names are ever 
cherished. The town also expended about $3000, besides 
what money was raised by private subscriptions, in prose- 
cuting the war. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



259 



The following civil list of Giload shows the names and 
date of election of all the town officers from 1837 to 1878: 



1837-42. Abishai Sanders. 
1843-45. Jehiel H. Hard. 
1846-47. Daniel Marsh. 
1848. Elsley W. Fuller. 
1849-51. John Marsh. 

1852. Cyrus U. Luce. 

1853. David N. Green. 

1854. Lewiti J. Whitcomb. 

1855. Daniel Marsh (res.). 
David N. Green (app.] 

1856. Horace B. Will ains. 
1857-58. Cyrus G. Luoe.« 



18.'!7-38. Albert W. Glass. 

1839. Levi Sanders. 

1840. Elsley W. Fuller. 
1841-42. Emerson Marsh. 
1843-46. William McClerg. 

1847. Elsley W. Fuller. 

1848. Lorenzo C. Hurd. 

1849. Abishai Sanders. 
1850-51. Mitchell Birce. 

1852. Benjamin Sanders. 

1853. Homer A. Loomis. 

1854. Jared Fuller. 



CIVIL LIST. 

SUPERVISORS. 

1858- 

1860 

1863- 

1866. 

1867. 

1868- 

1872. 

187.3. 

1874- 

1876. 

1877. 

1878. 

CLKKKS. 
1S55. 

1856. 



■59. Edward Webb, Jr.f 
•62. Job A. Smith. 
■65. Cyrus G. Luce. 

Lemuel L. Graham. 

Albert A. Luce. 
•71. George J. Langs. 

Jared Fuller. 

George J. Langs. 

r5. Cyrus G. Luce. 

Thoma.'J Lazenby. 

Cyrus G. Luce. 

Joseph Kceslar. 



1839- 
1842- 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850- 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 
1855. 
1856. 



18.37. 



1838. 

1839- 
1841. 
1842. 
1843. 
1844. 
1845. 

1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 

1853. 

1854. 



TRK 

41. Abishai Sanders. 
46. William Purdy. 

Joseph Freeman. 

Edward Webb. 

John Campbell. 
51. Horace B. W^illiams. 

David N. Green. 

John Whitcomb. 

Lorenzo C. Hurd. 

Edward Webb. 

Joseph Keeslar. 



George .J. Langs. 

Elijah Sanders (rem.). 

Benjamin Sanders (app.). 
1857-58. Eliab S. Hilton. 
1859-62. DwightC. Marsh (res.). 
1862-63. R. Purdy (app. 1862). 
1864. Edward Purdy. 
1865-69. Robert Purdy (died). 
1869-75. E. Purdy (app. 1809). 
1876-77. Giles A. Bi.tler. 
1878. George J. Langs. 



ASKRKRS. 

1857. Joseph Baker (res.). 
Daniel Marsh (app.). 
1858-59. Jared Fuller. 
1860-61. Benjamin S. Wilkins. 
1862-63. Virgil Little. 
1864-68. Hugh W. Martin. 
1869. William Kceslar. 
1870-71. Edward Webb, Jr. 
1872-74. Ale.tander R. Green. 
1875-77. Darwin A. Thompson. 
1878. Chauncey H. Brooks. 



James Glass (4 years). 
Thomas Gothrop (3 years). 
Obed Dickinson (2 years). 
Wm. McClerg (1 year). 
Horace B. Williams (f. t.). 
Benjamin Booth (v.). 
40. No record. 
Samuel Arnold. 
Horace B. Williams. 
William McClerg. 
Emerson Marsh. 
Ezckiel Fuller (f. t.). 
John Marsh (v.). 
Horace B. Williams. 
Lorenzo C. Hurd. 
David N. Green. 
Samuel Arnold. 
Mordecai Levcrich. 
C. G. Luce (res. 1852). 
Adam Bla.ss (f. t.). 
John A. J. Metzgar. 
John H. Wilkins (f. t.). 
Lorenzo 0. Hurd (v.). 
John S. Mcrritt (f. t.). 
Arunah RansFord (v.). 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1855. J. A. J. .VIetzgar (f. t.). 



Arunah Ransford (v.). 

1856. Mitchell Birce (f. t.). 
.James Morrell (v.). 

1857. Almond S. Graves (f. t.). 
.-\runah Ransfbrd (v.). 

185S. John S. Merritt (f. t.). 
.Tames Foglesang (v.). 

1859. Arunah Ransford (f. t.). 
Benjamin Sanders (v.). 

1860. Mitchell Birce. 

1861. James Foglesang (f, t.). 
George J. Langs (1. v.). 

1861-02. A. Blass (s. v. and f. t.). 

1863. Benjamin S. Wilkins. 

1864. Stephen Krum (f. t.). 
Robert Purdy (v.). 

1865. James Foglesang (f. t.). 
Squire G. Beers (v.). 

1866. Horatio N. Richards (f. t.). 
Jamcj? Foglesang (I. v.). 
Job A. Smith (s. v.). 

1867-69. No record. 
1870. John Waterhouse (f. t.). 
|{.,b.Tt Wiird (I. v.). 



1870. Lester M. Marsh (s. v.). 

1871. John W. Arnold (f. t.). 
Emanuel Gilbert (1. v.). 
E. C. S. Green (s. v.). 

1872. Lester M. Marsh. 

1873. Albert A. Luce. 



1874. Squire G. Beers. 

1875. Allen Weaver. 

1876. Lester M. Marsh (f. t.). 
1876-77. E. C. S. Green (v. and 

f. t.). 
1878. John H. Wilkins. 



COMMISSICSERS OF niGHWAYS. 



1837- 

1838. 
1839. 

1840. 

1S41. 
1842. 
1843. 
1844. 



1845 

1845- 



1846 
1847 



1848 
1849 
1850 



1837, 
1837- 
1837 
1838, 
1839, 

1840 



1841 



39. Daniel Marsh.- 
Elisha B. Williams. 
Benjamin S. Wilkins. 
James Mills. 
Jesse Booth, 
.loseph Freeman. 
Samuel Arnold. 
Chester Adams. 
Wm. McClerg. 
Benjamin Lcverich. 
Leauder Merrill. 
Daniel Marsh. 
Joseph Freeinnn. 
David Green. 
Jared Fo.\. 
Jesse Booth. 
Joseph Freeman. 
John Marsh. 
Benjamin .'^. "Wilkins. 
Daniel Marsh. 
Horace B. Williams. 
Samuel .'\rnold. 
James McWethy. 
46. Jesse Barrett. 
Benjamin Leverich. 
Harrison Nash. 
Benj. S. Wilkins (3 years). 
David N. Green (2 years). 
Mord. Levcrich (1 year). 
Joseph Keeslar. 
Simon Z. Williams. 
Isaac Adams (f. t.). 
Isaac Freeman (v.). 
John Freeman (app.). 



1851. 
1852. 
1853. 
1854. 

1855. 
1856. 

1857. 



1858. 
1859. 
1859- 
1861. 
1862. 
1803. 
1S64. 
1805. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 

1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 

1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 



Johnston Ferguson. 
Edward Webb. 
Major D. Williams. 
Isaac Adams (f. t.). 
Silas Headlcy (v.). 
Benjamin S. Wilkins. 
A. W. Miller (f. t.). 
James Foglesang (v.). 
George Mott (f. t.). 
Joseph Keeslar (v.). 
Samuel .^rnoUl (app.). 
Constant Voinett. 
John Feller (f. t.). 
60. ,1. Ferguson (v. and f.t.). 
Virgil Little. 
J. A. J. Metzgar. 
Benjamin S. Wilkins. 
Squire G. Beers. 
Daniel Marsh. 
Virgil Little. 
Squire G. Beers. 
Job A.Smith (f. t.). 
William Meek (v.). 
George J. Langs. 
Squire G. Beers. 
Job A. Smith. 
William Meek (f. t.). 
Darwin A. Thompson (v.). 
Squire G. Beers. 
Darwin A, Thompson. 
Miles Wheeler. 
Hiram Brown. 
Chauncey H. Brooks. 
Edward M. Williams. 



ASSESSORS. 



William McClerg. 
•38. Thomas Lcverich. 
-39. Joshua W. Marsh. 

Elisha B. Williams. 

Samuel Arnold. 

Jesse Booth. 

F. C. Ball. 

Isaac Freeman. 

William McClerg. 
-42. John Marsh. 

Chester Adams. 

John McKinley. 



1842-43. Samuel Arnold. 

1843. John McKinley. 

1844. John Marsh. 
1844-47. Ezckiel Fuller. 

1845. Thomas Leverich. 

1846. Elsley W. Fuller. 

1847. Jared Fuller. 
1848-49. John McKinley. 

Jared Fox. 
1850. Ezekiel Fuller. 

Lorenzo C. Hurd. 



COLLECTORS. 



^' Elected county treasurer and resigned, 
f Appointed in 1858, vice Luce, resigned. 



1837-38. Lyman W. Lyon. 
1839. Samuel Booth. 

OVERSEERS 

1837. Job Williams. 
Benj. Leverich. 

1838. John McKinley. 
1838-39. Benjamin Booth. 
1840-41. Benjamin Leverich. 
1841-42. Ezckiel Fuller. 
1842-44. John McKinley. 
1843. Benjamin Lcverich. 
1814. Emerson Marsh. 
1845. William Purdy. 

Daniel Mar.^li. 
1810. John Marsh. 



I 1840. Lyman W. Lyon. 
1841. Jared Fuller. 

OF TBE POOR. 

1846. Elisha B. Williams. 

1847. John McKinley. 

1848. David Green. 
1848-50. Emerson Marsh. 

1849. Abishai Sanders. 
1850-51. David Green. 

1851. Horace B. Williams. 

1852. Robert Hard. 
John Campbell. 

1854. John McKinley. 

1855. l^Ufh-.i B. Williams. 



260 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUiNTY, MICHIGAN. 



SCHOOL INSPECTORS. 



1837. 


William MeClerg. 
Thomas (rothrojt. 


1856 


1837- 


38. Obed Dickinson. 


1857 


1838. 


Albert W. Glass. 




1838- 


39. Levi Sanders. 


1858 


1839. 


Emerson Marsh. 




1839- 


-40. Elsley W. Fuller. 


1859 


1840. 


William McClerg. 


1860 


18-tO- 


-41. Obed Dickinson. 


1861 


1841. 


B. D. Gray. 






W. J. Phelps. 


1862 


1842. 


Esley Fuller. 


1863 




William McClerg. 


1864 


1842- 


-44. Samuel Arnold. 


1865 


1843. 


Jared Fuller. 


1866 


1844-45. Jehie! H. Hard. 


1867 


1846. 


Samuel Arnold. 


1868 


1847. 


Elijah Sanders. 


1869 


1848. 


Edward Webb. 


1870 




Abishai Leverieh. 


1871 


1849. 


Robert B. Sawyer. 


1872 




Samuel Arnold (app.). 


1873 


1850. 


James B. Robertson. 


1873 


1851. 


Samuel Arnold. 




1852. 


Clark R. Dowling. 


1875 


1853. 


Jared Fuller. 


1876 


1854. 


Lewis J. Whitcomb. 


1877 


1856. 


F. E. Marsh. 


1878 


1856. 


D. F. Dayton. 





. H. A. Loomis (removed). 

George J. Langs (app.)- 
. Robert Purdy (ajip.). 

Cyrus G. Luce (app.). 
. Daniel Spring (f. t.). 

Samuel Arnold (v.). 
. Job A. Smith. 
. John A. Blass. 
. Miio H. Mott. 

Gideon D. Baggerly. 
. James M. Birce. 
. Squire G. Beers. 
. William Hague. 
. Albert A. Luce. 
. Milo H. Mott. 
. Albert A. Luce. 
. Lester M. Marsh. 
. John AV. Arnold. 
. Lester M. Marsh. 
. John W. Arnold. 
. Daniel Spring. 
. Albert A. Luce (f. t.). 
-74. Lester M. Marsh (v. and 

f. t.). 

. Sewell May. 
. Byron Hoopingarner. 
. Edward Purdy. 
. Charles E. Griffin. 



SCHOOL SnPERINTESDF.STS. 



1875. Albert A. Luce. 
1876-77. Sewell May. 



1872. Walter B. Carpenter. 
1873-77. Squire G. Beers. 



I 1878. Charles S. Dean. 

DRAI.\ COMMISSIONERS. 

I 1878. Jared R. Preston. 



CONSTABLES. 



John Marsh, Joseph Bogardus, Henry H. Glass, 1837; Josiah San- 
ders, 1837, '38 ; Edward M. Green, 1838 : Samuel Booth, 1838, '39 ; 
Major D. Williams, 1838, '41, '42; Jared Fox, 1839, '45; Obed 
Dickinson, 1840 : Lyman W. Lyon, 1840-42, '48, '49 ; Jared Ful- 
ler, 1841 ; James Sweeting, 1841, '44; Cornelius Freeman, 1842; 
Perry H. Bower, 1842, '51, '52; George Ferguson, 1843; Law- 
rence B. Williams, 1843, '44: John G. Bartlett, 1844; Don C. 
Mather, 1845 ; Chauncey H. Blanchard, 1845, '46 ; John Robert- 
son, 1845, '51, '52; Carpenter T. Williams, 1846 : Isaac Adams, 
1846-50; Philip Lent, 1846, '47, '49, '5U ; Elijah Sanders, James 
Bartlett, 1847; Edward M. Williams, 1848; Judson Sweeting, 
1848-51 ; Ebenezer Marsh, 1850 ; Hiram Stiles, 1851, '52 ; Charles 
H. Blass, 1852, '53 ; Hiram Paimateer, Constant Voinett, Samuel 
Davis, 1853: Heman B. Williams, Clarkson Blass, Henry Shaw, 
1854; John Skinner, 1854, '55, '57; G. D. Blass, Timothy Lane, 
1855; Robert Purdy, 1855-58; George J. Langs, Richard R. 
Clark, Willis Carpenter, 1856; Noah Nash, 1857; Barton C. 
Robinson, 1857-60 ; Virgil Little, 1858, '59 ; Lewis Pierson, 1858, 
'60; Edward Purdy, 1859-77: James Pierson, 1859; Walter S. 
Ernst, 1860 ; Lorenzo Taylor, Gideon D. Baggerly, Enoch Davis, 
1861 ; William Martin, Daniel Marsh (2d), 1862; Hugh W. Mar- 
tin, 1862, '&o, '67: Humphrey Foster, Benjamin S. Wilkins, 
Franklin Smith, 1863; Philip Miirquett, 1864 ; Truman 0. Tay- 
lor, 1864, '65; William A. Hague, 1865; Charles S. Dean, Daniel 
Spring, 1866; Charles W. Hartwell, 1866, '67; John W. Arnold, 
1868-70; Ephraim Deeds, Job A. Smith, 1870 ; George Inman, 
F. E. Headley, 1871 ; Jonathan Knight, 1871-73; William Har- 
ris, 1872; Samuel S. Rupright, 1872-75; Luke J. Carpenter, 
1873; Emanuel Gilbert, John Beers, 1874; Theodore Carpenter, 
Daniel Immel, 1875; Aaron Davis, 1876; Charles N. Carpenter, 
Albert W. Foglesang, 1876-77; Jerome B. Vandevanter, 1877; 
James Pevy, Gilbert Hoopingarner, Elisha B. Williams, Frederick 
Pothoof, 1878. 



The first religious meetings held in Gilead were those 
conducted by Bishop Chase, at his house. Soon after, 
Methodist itinerants began preaching at the houses of the 
settlers, many of whom belonged to that denomination. As 
a result of this, about the 20th of May, 1836, a class was 
formed at the house of Benjamin Booth. There were then 
but three members, and these were Benjamin Booth and 
Mary, his wife, and a Mrs. Jones, who afterwards moved to 
Ohio. The next Sabbath the class was increased by the 
adding to it of Job, Philenia, Elisha B., Eleanor, Major D. 
and Warren Williams, Eli and Maria Bogardus, and Mrs. 
Elsie Smith. E. B. Williams was appointed class-leader 
and steward, and held these positions, the former fifteen 
years, and the latter ten years. This class then formed an 
appointment on the Coldwater circuit, and preaching was 
held once in two weeks at school-houses or private houses 
in the west part of the town. Since that time it has be- 
longed to Gilead, Burr Oak, and Bronson circuits for a 
time, and in 1869 was organized in connection with four 
other appointments as Gilead circuit. The pastors whose 
names we have been able to ascertain have been Nathan 

Mount, Corey, Seth Finch, John Clubine, Albert H. 

Torrey, William Doust, N. M. Steele, Swift, John 

Hoyt, B. W. Smith, F. N. Jaynes, E. A. Tanner, G. W. 
Hoag, J. W. White. The latter has been pastor since 
September, 1878. 

The class steadily increa.sed in numbers, and about 18G0 
began to think of building a church. In the fall of that 
year a meeting was held at the house of E. B. Williams, 
and the following board of trustees elected, viz. : Daniel 
Marsh, Elisha B. Williams, Samuel Booth, John Feller, 
Edward M. Williams, Don C. Mather, Horace B. Wil- 
liams. The incorporation being thus effected, Mr. E. B. 
Williams donated a site, containing 100 square rods, on 
which to build a church, and work was begun on it the 
following spring. The foundation was laid, the frame 
raised, and the building inclosed that season, and the 
inside work and plastering was done during the winter and 
spring of 1862. The building is 32 by 50 feet in size, 
and cost about $2000. It was dedicated by Rev. Thomas 
M. Eddy, of Chicago, — at that time editor of the Norfh- 
toesteru Christian Advocate, — on the 19th of August, 1862. 
His text was from the First JEpistle to Timothy, 3d chap- 
ter and 16th verse: "And without controversy great is 
the mystery of godliness : God was manifest in the flesh 
justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the 
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." 

At this time a divi.sion of the class took place, and what 
is known as the North Gilead class was formed. They 
united with the Congregational Society in the erection of 
a union church, a mile farther north, a year or two later. 
This class is now under charge of Warren W. Williams, 
class-leader, and has a membership of about 25. It forms 
one of the appointments on Gilead circuit. 

Under the preaching of Rev. William Doust a revival 
occurred, which, in the interest manifested, in the number 
of conversions, and in its far-reaching and lasting influence 
for good, was never equaled in this town. It occurred in 
the winter of 1864-65. The present membership is now 52. 

A parsonage was bought in the spring of 1873, of Mr. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



261 



B. F. Browti, at a cost of $850. Tt is located near the 
nortli ciiJ of Gilcad Lake, in a very pleasant situation. 

The present officers of the church are Samuel Booth, 
L. M. Marsh. Daniel Sharp, Miles Wheeler, Thomas J. 
Foster, Orli II Dean, Nathan B. Hewett, Trustees ; Nathan 
B. Hewett, Cia.ssLeaJer ; Samuel Booth, N. B Hewett 
Warren Sayles, J. E. Hathaway, Stewards; Nathan B. 
Hewett, Recordinfr Secretary. 

The Sunday-school connected with this church was the 
first one organized in the town. It was formed about the 
spring of 1840, in what was called the Leverich school- 
house, and Elislia B. Williams was elected as the first 
superintendent. The attendance varied according to the 
state of the weather and the roads, sometimes being as low 
as 30, and again running up to 80. Upon the completion 
of the church edifice, the school was reor^'anized in the 
spring of 1SG4, with Charles Williams as superintendent, 
and a membership of 70 scholars. At present the school 
numbers about 40 scholars, and has a library of about 200 
volumes. Its present officers are Kmory (i. Luce, Superin- 
tendent; Nathan B. Hewett, Assistant Superintendent and 
Secretary; Mrs. Alma Luce, Trcitsurer and Organist. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY OF GILEAD 

was next formed. A meeting was held at the school-house, 
near John .McKinley's residence, on Christmas-day, 1847, 
at which a number of persons belonging to the Presbyterian 
church at Orland, Indiana, decided to ask letters of dismis- 
sion and organize a church in Gilead. At this meeting 
Rev. Jacob Patch acted in tlu- cajiacity of UKjderator, and 
Emerson Marsh officiated as clerk. 

On the 30th of the month another meeting was held, at 
the house of Emerson Marsh, and a church was duly or- 
ganized, with the following members: Emerson, Maria and 
Martha E. Marsh, George W., Francis C., Mary, and Re- 
beeca Bull, William S. and Sarah W. Evans, Jason and 
Polly R. Harris, John, Jcanette, and Margaret McKinley, 
Stephen and Margaret McMillan, Emcline, Caroline, and 
Polly Ried, Katharine and Deborah Freeman, Betsey, 
Clarissa, and Electa Smith, Richard C. Dickinson, Walter 
0. Richards, Elizabeth Hale, Kunice Fuller, and Hannah 
Gaines, in all 29 members. They then adopted the " Con- 
fession of Faith and Covenant" recommended by the 
Marshall Presbytery, but also adopted the Congregational 
form of government. 

Jan. 22, 1848, the church met at the school-house near 
Esquire Hale's, and elected William S. Evans and Emerson 
Marsh as a standing committee, and E Marsh as secretary. 

The first deacon, Stephen McMillan, was chosen to that 
office April 1, 1848, was ordained on Sunday, April 2, 
and is still holding the office, whose duties he has so suc- 
cessfully and worthily performed for a period of thirty-one 
years. Hisa.s.sociates in office have been Hiram (). Tibbets, 
Theron Spring, Thomas Martin, and Albert A. Luce, the 
latter being the present associate. 

Rev. Jacob Patch was the first pastor, and he has been 
succeeded in regular order by Kevs. Isaac C. Crain, Jacob 
Patch, A. G. Martin, William Ellers, A. 6. Martin, Jacob 
Patch, C. Kidder, John 11. Bunney, and Mr. Olds, who is 
the present pastor. 



In 187<)-77 the church withdrew from its Presbyterian 
connection, and became a purely Congregational society. 

The meetings for several years were held principally at 
the school-house in District No. 1, Bethel and Gilead, 
until, in 1863 or 18G4, an arrangement was made with the 
Methodists, and a union church built half a mile south of 
Mar-sh's Corners, on section 5. 'J'liis church is about 30 
by 45 feet in dimen.sions ; cost about §1800; and was 
dedicated in the November following its completion, by 
Rev. Mr. Gallagher, of Hillsdale. The church property is 
held by a board of 9 trustees, 3 elected by each church 
and 3 by the society. 

The present mend)ershi]i of the church is eighteen or 
twenty, and its present clerk is Mrs Mary E. McCourtie. 
The Sabbath-school was organized many years ago, and 
Emerson Marsh, H. 0. Tibbets, and Theron Spring were 
among its earliest sui>erintendents. At present the mem- 
bership is about 40, but in the summer season the attend- 
ance averages from 0(t to 75. The present officers are 
Willis Brown, Sujierintendcnt ; Parmeuio A. Cranson, As- 
sistant Superintendent ; George Brown, Secretary ; and 
George Lazenby, Treasurer. 

ZION CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATICN 

is located at East Gilcad. The society was organized in 
the winter of 1859-60, by Rev. Frederick Geisel, a mis- 
sionary on the De Kalb Mission, Indiana Conference. There 
was then a membership of about 15 persons. The first 
meeting was held in the school-house in District No. 4. 
Chandler S. Brown was a]ipointed class-leader. 

The first pastor was Kev. Frederick Geisel, followed by 
Revs. George Hartle, William Buckman, and Charles 
Sharno. About this time the Michigan Conference was 
or"-anized, and this ajipointment was detached from the In- 
diana Conference, and Rev. M. Alspach was sent to serve 
" until the conference met in April, 1865. Then the Fulton 
Circuit was established with this as one of its appointments, 
and Revs. Jonas Boroughf and Joshua Paulin were suc- 
cessively preachers in charge, with Rev. C. S. Brown as 
junior preacher. Then the circuit was divided and the 
present Fremont Circuit organized, to which this church 
has since belonged. Since that change the pastors have 
been Revs. Samuel O.pley, B. F. Wade, and Jacob Rote, 
C. S. Brown and Jacob Rote, C. S. Brown and D. C. Row- 
land, Christian Thomas, E. K. Dewitt, Elias B. Miller, J. 
W. Loose, and George Ilcltar, R. Reagle, J. A. Fry, Wash- 
ington White, and C. S. Brown, the present pastor. 

The meetings were held in the school-house at Arnold's 
Corners — which was purchased soon after the organization 
was eff'ected — until the churcli was built, in 1867. This 
building, the dimensions of which are 33 by 46 feet, cost 
about $1800, and was built under the supervision of 
Jacob Doer, William Kanouse. and Thomas Davis, build- 
ing committee. It was d.'dicatcd in February, 1S68, and 
on that occasion Rev. M. J. .Miller, presiding elder, 
preached the sermon. The incorporation of the society 
was not eft'ected until about eight years ago, when Jacob 
Doer, William Kaiiduse. Thomas Davis, Josiah Snyder, and 
one other per.son, whose name we have not been able to a.s- 
ccrtaiu, were elected trustees. 



262 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



At the present time the membership is about 40, and 
the following persons are officers of the church, viz. : Enoch 
Davis, Class-Leader ; John Doer, Steward ; Jacob Doer, 
J. J. Doer, Levi Davis, John Doer, Chas. Davis, Trustees. 

Previous to the formation of the church the Sabbath- 
school was a union school, but at that time it became an 
Evangelical school, with C. S. Brown as superintendent, 
and has existed in a prosperous condition till the present 
time. J. J. Doer is the present superintendent. 

THE UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OP EAST GILEAD 
AND BETHEL. 

This society was organized at the Zion Church, East 
Gilead, by Rev. Jacob Patch, on the 6th of May, 1865, 
with 10 members. In July following it assumed the name 
of the Presbyterian Church of Ea.st Gilead, and adopted 
the articles of faith of the Presbytery of Coldwater, and 
the Congregational form of government. 

Their first meeting for public worship was held on July 
30, and on that occasion Rev. Jacob Patch preached, ad- 
ministered the sacrament, and baptized Edgar Virgil, 
infant son of Stephen and Rebecca Titft. 

Feb. 20, 1867, a meeting was held at the house of 
William N. Carter, at which the present name was adopted 
and new articles of faith and covenant agreed upon. At 
this time William N. Carter and Hugh W. Martin were 
chosen as deacons. Theodore J. Carpenter has since been 
chosen in place of Mr. Martin. 

The pastors have been Revs. Jacob Patch, C. Kidder, 
L. P. Rose, and the present one, John R. Bonney. 

The society incorporated about ten years ago by electing 
three trustees, but no steps toward erecting a house of wor- 
ship have yet been made. 

For a couple of years after its organization meetings 
were held alternately at East Gilead and Bethel, but since 
that time they have been held at the school-house in 
Gilead, a mile north of Arnold's Corners. 

The present membership is about 2.5, and the present 
officers, aside from those already named, are William T. 
Amiuermaii, Clerk; Stephen Tifl't, Treasurer; William N. 
Carter and Theodore J. Carpenter, Trustees. 

There are three cemeteries in Gilead : the one already 
mentioned, near the union church ; one on the Hoopin- 
garner farm, in section 18; and one called the East Gilead 
Burying-Ground, near Arnold's Corners. This latter was 
taken from the farms of Samuel Arnold and Mr. Carpenter 
several years ago, and the title vested in a board of trustees. 
These grounds are all pleasantly located, and show marks 
of the taste and care bestowed upon them by those whose 
loved and lost lie slumbering quietly beneath their gently- 
waving verdure. 

GILEAD GRANGE, NO. 400, P. OP H. 

This society was instituted April 18, 1874, by George 
W. Vanakin, special deputy, with 50 charter members. 
The meeting was held at the Webb House, on section 16. 
Regular fortnightly meetings have been held from that time 
to the present. The meetings were held at various jilaces 
until June, 1876, when a room in the Don C. Mather 
house, then owned by Albert A. Luce, was fitted up by 



the grange, and has since been occupied as their hall. 
The grange has proved to be a source of great interest 
and profit to its members, and has exerted a healthful in- 
fluence upon the community. Owing to removals its list 
of membeis has become reduced to 38, which is the present 
number. The following list shows the names of the first, 
and also of the present officers : 

First Officers. — Master, Cyrus G. Luce ; Overseer, Dar- 
win A. Thompson ; Lecturer, George J. Langs ; Steward, 
Squire G. Beers ; Assistant Steward, J. B. Keeslar ; Chap- 
lain, Albert A. Luce ; Treas., Alexander R. Green ; Sec, 
Lester M. Marsh ; Gate-Keeper, Sewell May ; Ceres, Mrs. 
A. R. Green; Pomona, Mrs. J. Sweeting; Flora, Miss 
Louisa Keeslar ; Stewardess, Mrs. D. A. Thompson. 

Present Officers. — Master, Darwin A. Thompson ; Ov€r- 
.seer, Alexander R. Green ; Lecturer, Lemuel L. Graham ; 
Steward, W. H. Olmstead ; A.ssistant Steward, J. B. Van- 
devanter ; Chaplain, Albert A. Luce ; Treas., E. C. S. Green ; 
Sec, Cyrus G. Luce; Gate-Keeper, Judson Sweeting; Ceres, 
Mrs. J. Sweeting ; Pomona, Mrs. A. R. Green ; Flora, Mrs. 
E. C. S. Green ; Stewardess, Mrs. L. L. Graham. 

We now come to the closing words of our sketch of the his- 
tory of Gilead. We have traced its rise and progress through 
nearly a half-century of its existence, and have witnessed 
its wild lands — prairie, forest, or swamp — improved, brought 
under cultivation, and made to produce the fruits of the 
earth for the use of its citizens. We have seen how the 
hardships and privations that beset the pioneers have been 
met, endured, and overcome, and how from poverty, or at 
least from lowly circumstances, these same people have risen 
to competence or wealth. The rude log hut and pole shanty 
have given place to comfortable houses and commodious 
barns, and the evidences of a permanent prosperity are 
patent to even the most casual observer. But the hand of 
the grim destroyer has not been spared, and but few of the 
original settlers remain to testify to the facts and relate the 
tale of the first opening up of this country. We mention 
a few of them in the order in which they settled in Gilead : 
Mrs. Mary Fuller, Josiah Sanders, 1831 ; Samuel Booth, 
1832 ; William Purdy, 1835 ; Andrew and Jared Fuller, 
Elisha B. and Edward M. Williams, Mrs. Melinda Wilkins, 
Mrs. Abigail C. Booth, Mrs. Julia A. Luce, 1836 ; Mr. and 
Mrs. Peter Keeslar, and Mrs. Catharine S. Arnold, 1837. 

The writer desires to acknowledge his obligations to those 
who have rendered their assistance in the preparation of 
this history, and returns them hearty thanks, hoping that 
their experiences in Gilead may be as pleasant as his have 
been. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



HON. GYRUS G. LUCE. 

About the middle of the seventeenth century, among the 
emigrants coming across the ocean to found homes and 
eventually governments in the then newly-discovered coun- 
try which now holds first rank among the nations of the 
world, came a family bearing the name of Luce, who set- 
tled in Tolland Co., Conn., and the homestead they then 
established remained in the fixmily for nearly two centuries, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



263 



passing fniiii lliiiv possession only about twenty years ago. 
One of tile (leseendants of this family was Walter Luce, 
who was born and lived till he beuanie of age upon the 
homestead in Tolland. His grandfather had served in the 
Revolutionary army, and at the age of nineteen he, too, 
enlisted in the army of his country and .served through the 
war of 1812, during most of his term of service being 
.stationed in garri.son at New London, Conn. At the close 
of the war, in 1815, Walter left his home and became one 
of the pioneers of Ohio, .settling among the first in Wind- 
sor. A.shtabula Co. In 1820 ho married Mary Gray, and 
from this union sprang the subject of this biography, who 
was born at Windsor, July 2, 1824. In 18H6 the family, 
then consisting of the parents and six sons, came farther 
west, and settled in the town of Mill (Jrove, Steuben Co., 
Ind., near the present village of Orland. While living 
there two other children, both daughters, were born to 
them. Walter died on this farm April 20, 1872, at the 
age of seventy-eight years, and his wife survived him until 
Feb. 12, 1879, when, at the age of .scvcnty-.six years, she, 
too, passed from life. 

During his boyhood and youth Mr. Luce was obliged to 
work hard and long, as always falls to the lot of boys in a 
pioneer settlement, and yet, by making a good use of the 
not overabundant educational privileges afforded by the 
common schools, he was at the age of fifteen prepared to 
enter the Northeastern Collegiate Institute, at Ontario, 
Ind., where he studied through three wint«r terms, working 
on the farm the rest of each year. In looking back upon 
this period of his life, Mr. Luce feels great satisfaction from 
the knowledge that he wasted no time, made the most of 
his opportunities, and, in the fiice of much that was dis- 
couraging and vexatious, succeeded in obtaining an educa- 
tion which has proved a great help to him in his various 
undert4ikings, and has helped materially to make his life 
successful. When he was seventeen years old his father 
placed him in charge of his carding- and fulling-mill, and 
he occupied that position seven years. He then, in 1848, 
purchased eighty acres of land in Gilead, the farm on which 
he now lives, and a year later, in August, 184!.l, married 
Julia A. Dickinson, a daughter of Obed and Experience 
Dickinson, and commenced hou.sekeeping on his farm. Mr. 
Luce's children have been five in number, and four of them 
are living. These are Mrs. Almira J. Parker, of Orland, 
Ind. ; Emory G., who owns a fine farm of one hundred and 
sixty acres in Gilead, and being an enthusiastic and ambi- 
tious follower of his chosen occupation, bids fair to attain 
high rank as a thorough and successful farmer ; and Florence 
A. and Homer D., who live at home with their parents. The 
other child, Dwight D., died when two years old. 

Throughout his life Mr. Luce has been a practical and 
scientific farmer, and prides himself more on his well-tilled 
fields and sleek, well-fed stock, than anything he ha.s accom- 
plished in other enterprises. He has added to his landed 
possessions from time to time until he now owns four hun- 
dred acres, besides having started his sou Emory in life 
with one hundred and sixty acres. For a period of seven 
years he was engaged in company with others in the mer- 
cantile and ]iroduce business, at Orland, hid., and was 
successful there. 



Hut .Mr. Luce's fame is not confined to the town nor his 
u.sefulness to the farm. In public life he has made his 
mark and established a wide and enviable reputation. His 
first appearance in this field was as a candidate for represen- 
tative in the Indiana Legislature, in 1848, when in a iioto- 
riou.sly strong Democratic district he ran far ahead of his 
ticket, and was defeated by but a small majority. After 
removing to this town he was called to office, and hxs served 
nine ye:irs a.s supervisor, in 18(;8, '(54, '65, being unani- 
mously elected. In 1854 he was made the Republican 
candidate for representative in the Legislature ; was elected 
by three hundred and fifty majority, and took his seat as a 
member of the first R(!i)ubliean Legislature of Michigan. 
In the fall of 1858 he was elected treasurer of Branch 
County, and removed to Coldwater, where he remained four 
years, being re-electe<l in !8()0. After his return he, as 
supervisor of the town, was very busy in attending to war 
matters, raising men and money, and attending to the busi- 
ness connected therewith. The exciting presidential election 
of 1 804 was also pending, and all combined, proved too 
great a .strain upou his powers of endurance, and he was 
prostrated by an attack of typhoid fever that kept him down 
for two months. Meantime he had been nominated as a 
candidate for the State Senate, and was elected ; and again 
in 186C was elected to the .same office. In the spring of 
1867 he was elected as a member of the convention to re- 
vise the State constitution. In the fall of 1878 he was a 
candidate before the Republican State Convention for nomi- 
nation as their candidate for the office of State Treasurer. 
On the informal ballot he had a majority of some sixteen 
votes, but on the formal ballot was defeated by nine votes. 
In all the oflicial positions he has been called to fill, Mr. 
Luce has ac(|uitted hini.self with great honor, and has per- 
formed his duties with great fidelity and care, and his repu- 
tation as a competent and conscientious officer is equal to 
that of any citizen of the State. He has al.so been quite 
largely engaged in public speaking, the meetings he has ad- 
dressed being political meetings, war meetings, temperance 
meetings, farmers' meetings, and Sunday-school assemblages. 
Having reached the age of fifty-five years with unimpaired 
health, vigorous constitution, and well-trained intellect, he 
may well look forward to many long, happy, useful years of 
life. 



MRS. CATIIARLNE S. ARNOLD. 

This estimable lady, who deserves rank among the pio- 
neers of Gilead, was born in the town of Volney, Oswego 
Co., N. Y., March 26, 18U5. Her parents were James and 
Evelyn (Quackenbush) Huganin. April 10, 1831, she was 
married to Samuel Arnold, and with him came to Gilead in 
the fall of 1837. She was well versed in the use of the 
common herbal remedies, and had had much experience in 
nursing the sick, and since coming here has devoted con- 
siderable time to the work of relieving the suflferings of the 
afflicted among her neighbors. Her father and mother, 
both of whom died in Oswego County, lived to the respect- 
ive ages of ninety-two and eighty-six years. She survives 
her husband, who died in 1878, and bids fair to live to a 
g0(jil old age, its she is still strong, vigorous, and hearty. 



264 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





Vv^V^^"^ 



JOSEPH KEESLAR. 



Photo, by E. Kindmark, Culihvater. 






MHS. .JOSEPH KEESLAR. 



JOSEPH KEESLAR. 

Joseph Keeslar, the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Sullivan, Madison Co., N. Y., April 6, 1825. His father, 
Peter Keeslar, was a native of Montgomery Co., N. Y., 
where he was born iu 1800. In 1838 he emigrated to 
Gilead, _ Branch Co., Mich., and settled on section 20, 
where he still resides, a hale and hearty man of seventy- 
nine. Joseph Keeslar came to Michigan with his father 
when he was a lad of thirteen, and was at once set to work 
with his brothers clearing the now farm. His chances for 
an education were very limited, yet he obtained enough to 
fit him for the active business life he has pursued since ar- 
riving at man's estate. Arrived at maturity he commenced 
life for himself, working on a farm, and receiving for his 
first year's wages one hundred and thirty dollars. He then 
bought forty acres of new land, running in debt for the 
same. This land was a part of section 8, and was cleared 
and improved by him. Here he commenced his married 
life. This small farm he afterwards sold, and then bought 
ninety acres where he now resides. To this he has added 
until he now owns a farm of one hundred and seventy 
acres, under good improvement, with a fine house and good 
outbuildings. Among his fellow-townsmen Mr. Keeslar 
very deservedly stands high as a neighbor and business 
man. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but in 
the spring of 1878 he joined the National party, and be- 
came its standard-bearer at the ensuing town election, and 
was by them elected supervisor, filling the office to the 
entire satisfaction of his party. Prior to this he was 
elected town treasurer by the Republicans. He has always 
taken an active interest in school matters, and is a member 
of the school board. On the 29th day of February, 1849, 
he married Miss Mary Ward (daughter of Alexander and 
Rebecca Gray Ward). This estimable lady was born in 
Ashtabula Co., O., Feb. 12, 1831. This union has been 
blessed with seven children, as follows : Julia, born Jan. 5, 
1854; Eliza, born Aug. 17, 1857; Charles, born Dec. 3, 



1859 ; Adelia, born Jan. 1, 18G2 ; Edwin, born Feb. 18, 
1865 ; Homer, born Nov. 6, 1869, and Willie D., born 
Oct. 30, 1872. 



E. C. S. GREEN. 

David Green was born in Queenstown, N. Y., Jan. 5, 
1802. Here Mr. Green resided until after his marriage to 
Miss Miranda Chalker. To them were born nine children. 
After his marriage he moved to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., 
and thence to Savona, in the same county, where for a year 
he kept a hotel. Two years afterwards he moved to Port- 
age Co., Ohio, and for two years had charge of the infirm- 
ary, at a salary of six hundred dollars per annum. We 
next find him in Akron, Ohio, where he resided until 
1841, when he came to Gilead and bought two hundred 
acres of land on the State line, paying for it three dollars 
and eighty cents per acre. This he cleared and improved, 
but has since sold it to different parties. Mr. Green is 
still a resident of the county, living in Coldwater. 

E. C. S. Green, the second of nine children, was born in 
Tyre, Seneca Co., N. Y., Sept. 16, 1825, and resided with 
his father until after they came to Michigan. He received 
a fair education, enough at least to fit for an active and 
successful basiness life. July 16, 1850, he married Miss 
Nancy N. Keyes, who was born Feb. 15, 1831. Their 
union was blessed with three children, as follows : Isabel 
G., born Feb. 16, 1851 ; Ann Eliza, born Sept. 18, 1853; 
Ba.scum R., born Dec. 21, 1854. Mrs. Green died Feb. 
28, 1861. Mr. Green remained a widower until April 15, 
1863, when he married Miss Lydia H. Thurston, daughter 
of George and Sally S. (Jones) Thurston. She was born 
Jan. 22, 1837. To them have been born two children: 
Harry J., April 1, 1867 ; and Homer J., Nov. 18, 1874. 
At the age of twenty-three Mr. Green commenced life for 
himself, teaching .school in the winters and working a rented 
farm during the summers. The farm he then rented is 
now his own. His first real estate purchase was the eighty 
acres now owned by his brother, A. R. His father paid 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



265 



toward this farm two ImnJred dollars, and liircd it cli'arcd. 
He had given his father two years' work after lie became 
of age. lie kept tiie farm five years, and tiieii sold it for 
two thousand two hundred and eighty dollars, which was a 
fair start for a young man at tliat time. He then went to 
Clinton Co., Iowa, and bought over two hundred aeres of 
hind, part of whicli was improved. 'I'his liutn ho kept 
nine months, and tlien sold it at a profit oi'over seven hun- 
dred dollars. Mr. Green then returned to Bethel, Branch 
Co., and bougiit a heavy-timbered farm, entirely new and 
unimproved, living in a k ; house which he built on the 
same. In one winter ho placed upon the line of tlic Lake 
Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad three hundred and 
eigiity cords of wood, and then sold land and wood to L. 
I). Crippen, making by the transaction more than five hun- 
dred dollars. lie then boutiht one huiulred and eleven 



acres of the farm he now owns, to which he has added 
until he owns one humlred and seventy-four acres, one of 
the best farms in his town. On this lie has built a fine 
house, and a barn seventy-two by fift^'-four feet, finely 
finished inside and out. The great secret of 3Ir. Green's 
success lias been in his always "striking when the iron 
was hot." Few men have taken as much pride in beauti- 
fying their homes as Mr. (ireen, who ha.s exhibited fine taste 
in orinimeiiting his grounds, which now present a beauti- 
ful appearance. We take great pleasure in presenting our 
readers with a fine view of this home on another page. 
In politics Mr. Green is, and has always been, an ardent 
Republican, believing it to be the party of progress and 
pure government. lie has held at different times townsiiip 
offices, was four years deputy sheriff, and has many time.s 
been a dele^'ate to its conventions. 



B A T A V I A.* 



The township which now bears the name of Batavia is 
situated in the third tier of towns from the eastern bound- 
ary of Branch County, and is the second town north from 
the northern boundary. It is designated in the United 
States survey as township (5 south, range 7 west, and com- 
prises a territory six miles square, bounded on the north by 
Union, on the east by Coldwater, on the south by Bethel, 
and on the west b}' Matteson. The surface of the town is 
generally flat, or gently undulating, in no place approaching 
to anything rough enough to deserve the name of hills. In 
its original state the town was quite equally divided between 
the kinds of land known as " timbered" and " openings." 
Through the centre of the town, running from near the 
northeast corner to a point a little east of the southwest 
corner, was a strip of low, marshy, or swampy ground, trav- 
ersed by a sluggish stream, and containing several small 
ponds or lakes. Running nearly parallel with this, and a 
couple of miles farther east, was another similar tract. Be- 
tween these, and extending a little ways beyond them to 
the east and west, was a tract of oak openings, covered with 
a scattering growth of fine white-oak trees. On sections 13 
and 14 was a "burr-oak opening," containing about 100 
acres, and on sections 32 and 33 was another of about the 
same size. Beyond the growth of oak timber the character 
of the timber changed to a heavj' and dense growth of all 
the kinds of hard woods indigenous to this part of the 
country, maple and beech being the predominent varieties. 
A good deal of black walnut of a very superior quality was 
also found, and a moderate sprinkling of basswood and 
whitewood. Adjoining the open marshes considerable 



34 



* Prepared by C. W. Brown. 



quantities of tamarack grew. The timbered land occupied 
the northwest part and the southeast corner of the town. 

The soil is of the varied character usual to Michigan 
lands, the openings being of a sandy or gravelly nature, 
while the timbered lands have a black-loam soil, in places 
mi.Ked with a little clay, and in some parts quite stony. In 
point of fertility, the lands of Batavia will compare very 
favorably with those of any other town in the county. 
The waters of the town divide on a line running from the 
southwest corner of section 2 to the southeast corner of the 
town. Rising in section 10, and passing through the town 
till it enters Swan Creek in section 31, is a stream called 
Jlill Creek. It was formerly known as " Mud Creek," and 
forn)s the outlet of Cook's Lake, and also of a cou]>le of 
small ponds lying in section 15. For several years it fur- 
nished power to operate a saw-mill on section 28, and this 
fact gave it its present name. Rising in section 28, and 
pa.ssiug through section 33 into Bethel, where it empties 
into Swan Creek, is a small stream (the outlet of three 
small lakes in section 33) which received the name of Flag 
Creek from the fact that along its course a dense growth of 
flags was found by the early settlers. Another stream rises 
in section 26, forms the outlet of Lime Lake, and empties 
into Gary's Lake in section 34. It is known as Four-Mile 
Creek, and probably derived its name from the fiict that the 
place where it crosses the Chicago road is about four miles 
west of the Coldwater River. There are ten ponds or lakes 
in the town, the largest being Gary Lake, which lies in 
the south part of section 34, and extends acro.ss the town 
line into Bethel. Its outlet is Swan Creek. The next 
largest is Cook's Lake, near the centre of the town, in .sec- 
tions 22 and 27. Its outlet is Mill Creek. In sections 1, 



266 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



2, 11, and 12, is a body of water known as Miller's Lake, 
whose outlet ruus north and cast, and finally unites with 
the Coldwater River. The only other lake which has been 
given a name lies io the northwest corner of section 26. It 
was called Lime Lake, because alona; its sliore is found a 
deposit of marl, which, upon being burned, yields a very 
good quality of lime. The most of these bodies of water 
are characterized by a marshy shore (in somes places, how- 
ever, presenting a bold, sandy shore), and have a muddy or 
sandy bottom. By the improved system of drainage intro- 
duced a few years since, the level of the waters of these 
lakes has been lowered about two feet, and the rank vege- 
tation about their shores is making more or less encroach- 
ment upon their size, so that there is a prospect of their 
eventually being filled up entirely, or, at least, largely re- 
duced in size. This system of drainage has also resulted 
in greatly improving the lowlands of the town, rendering 
them fit for cultivation. In the first years of the settle- 
ment of this country these lakes obtained the reputation of 
being almost or quite unfathomable ; but since the intro- 
duction of more modern and more effective sounding-appa- 
ratus than the clothes-lines or bed-cords then used for such 
purposes, this reputation has in most cases been proved false. 
The average depth is probably from thirty to forty feet, 
though the small pond near the turnpike in section 33 is 
very deep. The waters of these lakes formerly teemed 
with fish of various kinds, and there are still many of them 
remaining to tempt the angler to attempt their capture. 

While the primeval forest yet held sway over this tract 
of country, it was one of surpassing beauty. The timber 
was dense and full of underbrush, but when the openings 
were reached everything was changed. The trees were 
large and grew widely apart, and the sward between them 
— kept clear of underbrush by the annual burning by the 
Indian hunters — was smooth and green. Wild flowers of 
bright colors and beautiful forms grew in great profusion 
and loaded the air with their fragrance. In the spring- 
time the grass sprung up fresh and green, and oftentimes, 
before the frosts of autumn came to stop its growth, reached 
a height of seven feet. Before the grass grew high enough 
to obstruct the view, the eye could glance down the aisles 
and passages of the forest and note the varied colors of 
the flowers, the verdant herbage, the mystic and mys- 
terious flickering lights and shadows, the flitting birds, the 
wide-eyed deer, the leaping rabbits, the chattering, frisking 
squirrels, and the ear could listen to the thousand voices of 
the woods, while the nostrils drank in the perfume-laden 
air, and the soul reveled . in the soft, mysterious delight 
afibrded by so much of beauty, sweet concord, and har- 
mony. 

Such was the situation at the time when these lands 
were thrown open for settlement, and the rapidly swelling 
tide of emigration was sweeping >so steadily onward from 
the East. The government had opened a turnpike road 
from Detroit to Chicago which entered this town near the 
quarter-line of section 24, and, crossing it in a southwest 
direction, passed into the town of Bethel, at the south- 
east corner of section 32. This was the only improve- 
ment made in the township. Along this road the settlers 
came, some stopping along the route when they found a 



location to suit them, but most of them passing on to the 
prairies of Illinois and Iowa to settle there. To accommo- 
date this constantly-moving throng many public-houses were 
needed, and the first settlers in this town chose locations 
here which they deemed to be valuable as sites for inns. 
From the fact that most of the earliest settlers have either 
died or removed to other localities, it cannot be definitely 
ascertained to whom is due the honor of having been the 
first settler in the town, so we are obliged to leave this as 
an uncertainty, and pass on to the time when settlers of 
whom we know came and began their pioneer lives here. 
The new-comers generally chose land on the openings, re- 
garding them as superior in quality of the soil as well as 
being so much easier to subdue and bring under cultiva- 
tion, but once in a while some bolder man struck out into 
the timber and located a farm far away from neighbors and 
from the line of travel. 

The settlers found on section 22, on the farm at present 
owned by L. R. Austin (and also in other places), a curi- 
ous formation of the surface of the soil, and one which has 
never been fully explained. The soil was there thrown up 
in a manner similar to the arrangement of beds in a vegeta- 
ble garden, the rai.sed parts being about fifteen feet square, 
and elevated about a foot above the general suiface. Be- 
tween these beds ran paths about two feet wide, and from 
each corner a wider path opened to the centre. Scattered 
about were several white-oak trees, the largest being from one 
and a half to two feet in diameter, which would indicate a 
growth of something near one hundred years. It is generally 
supposed by the inhabitants that it was an Indian garden, but 
this is by no means certain, and what it really was, — forti- 
fication, garden, or foundation for dwellings, — what its use, 
its age, and by whom it was made, are interesting ques- 
tions, the answers to which are still shrouded in mystery. 

Timothy R. Wallace is supposed to have settled on the 
Chicago road, in section 25, as early as the year 1832. He 
came from some place in the State of New York, and was 
the owner of the first hotel in the town, which was built on 
his land, but whether by him or by some other person is 
not definitely known. It was for some years called by the 
names of its successive landlords, and in later times became 
known as the " Batavia House." The hotel, or rather tavern, 
was a log building, some eighteen or twenty feet square, with 
a " lean to" some twelve feet wide at the back ; the front part 
being a story and a half high. Mr. Wallace did not keep 
the inn himself, but rented it to others, and finally sold it. 
He devoted his life to clearing and cultivating his land, and 
remained a respected citizen of the town till his death, which 
occurred July 14, 1847. None of his descendants remain 
hero. His wife died March IS, 1849, and his children, 
four sons and one daughter, removed to Oregon a year or 
two afterwards. 

A year after Wallace's settlement, a man by the name of 
Jeremiah Tillottson entered a piece of land on " the i.sland," 
which is now known as the York farm, and on it he built a 
log tavern that became a famous stopping-place on the route 
from Detroit to Chicago, and was called the " New York 
House." The stages running from Teoumseh to Niles both 
stopped over night at this tavern. Tillottson kept it a year 
or two, and then sold it to the Reynolds', he removing to 



HISTORY OF BUANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



267 



Willow Prairie, Ind. Ilis two brothers, Muiiiis :iiid Samuel, 
who had accompaniod him here, also removed from town 
about the same time. 

In the fall of 18;{:5 a family by the name of Shay cauie 
from Oran-eville, Genesee Co., N. Y., and settled on some 
land near the Reynolds tavern. The party was made up 
of Perkins Siiay, his sons George W., William, Stephen G., 
Amos, Daviil, Perkins, and .loiin, and their families. George 
and Stephen were married, and William married Melissa 
Cook, at Oxbow Prairie, Iiid., soon after coming here. The 
old man died in September, 1834, and it is believed his 
was the first death in the town. He was buried near the 
York House corners, and it is supposed the road running 
north from the Chicago road passes over the spot whore his 
bones lie. All the sons e.xcept George remained here a few 
years, and then removed at different times to other localities. 
George went to Bronson in the spring of 1834, lived two 
years on the lluggles farm, removed to Bethel, from there 
to Branch, and in the spring of 1837 settled on the south- 
east quarter of the nortiieast ((uarter of section 28, where 
he remained. His widow is now living with her daughter, 
Mrs. William R. Card, in the south part of the town. This 
whole family were great lovers of the chase, and prided 
themselves upon their quick and accurate aim; never, it is 
said, shooting a deer except upon the run. 

Abel Olds settled on the west half of the .southwest quar- 
ter of section 24 in the spring of 1834. He had come to 
Michigan about four years previous, and lived at Jonesville 
till he came here. In 1848 he removed to the town of 
Ovid, and died there about a year later. His brother, 
Martin Olds, was the next settler, and, as he was one of the 
most prominent of the early pioneers, we have selected his 
experience as a type of the experiences of the pioneers, and 
relate it somewhat in detail. He was a native of the old 
" Bay State," being born in the township of Bolton, in 
Berkshire Co., Mass., and lived emphatically a pioneer 
life, taking an active and somewhat prominent part in 
the settling up of the country in four different States. 
His boyhood was spent in the town of Pompey, Onon- 
. daga Co., N. Y., and he then came with his father's 
family to Huron Co., Ohio, and after the death of his 
parents located in Seneca County in that State. From 
that place he emigrated to Michigan, and later crossed the 
great plains of the West, and became a citizen of the (now) 
State of Oregon. While living in Ohio he was married, 
and at the time of their removal here, the family consisted 
of father, mother, and five sons, the eldest a lad of eleven 
years. Having decided to leave Ohio for Michigan, prepa- 
rations were made accordingly. A " Pennsylvania" wagon 
was procured and loaded with the household goods, a canvas 
covering being stretched above them to protect them from 
sun and storm ; two yokes of oxen to draw the load, and 
two cows to assist in furnishing provisions for the pioneers, 
were got in readiness, and about tlie middle of May the 
little cavalcade moved slowly out of the town of Thompson 
on its way to the West. The journey was uneventful. 
The season was quite dry, and the roads as a consequence 
were unusuallv good. Even the much-dreaded Maunice 
Swamp was passed with very little trouble. About three 
weeks were consumed in the journey, and they arrived at 



their destination on the 7th of .June. They found no 
bridges acro.ss any of the streams until they reached the 
Coldwatcr River, and there (at Masonville) they found a 
bridge had been completed the day before their arrival. 
They reached the top of an elevation a short distance west 
of the river just as the summer's sun w;vs sinking below 
the western horizon. In front of them, at the foot of the 
hill, was a tamarack swamp, and the thick vapors of evening 
were already rising in a cloud from the marsh. On this 
the sun cast its ruddy beams, giving it the form and color 
of sulphurous flame and smoke, which rolled and seethed 
among the trees as the light breezes tossed it hither and 
thither in gentle play. Mrs. Olds, who was very tired 
from the long journey, and not exceedingly well plea,sed 
with the country, looked upon this lurid picture, and finally 
said, " I have often heard of ' Tophet,' but I never expect- 
ed to see it before." They descended the hill, and an hour 
later, in the twilight of the long summer evening, drew up 
at the door of Allen's tavern (at Wallace's stand), and 
halted for the night. And here, too, they remained until 
about the last of June or the first of July; Mr. Olds, 
in the mean time, being engaged in .selecting and en- 
tering his land, and in building a house for the family 
residence. The land he selected was 160 acres on the 
openings on sections 13 and 14. He entered the west 
half of the .southwest quarter of section 13 and the ea.st 
half of the southciist quarter of section 14. When he 
went to the land-office at Bronson (now Kalamazoo), he 
had three locations in view, the one most pleasing to his 
taste being the Lockwood place in the northwest part of the 
town of Ovid, but he found that two of the pieces he had 
selected had already been entered, and he had to take " Hob- 
son's choice," " this or none." The house ho built was a 
slab shanty, which was to give them shelter while the work 
of preparing ground and planting and sowing was going on. 
A little piece of ground was prepared, and some corn, po- 
tatoes, and a little garden-sauce planted. Then the work 
of preparing for fall-sowing began. The land being on the 
burr-oak openings, the work of fitting it for crops was 
comparatively slight, and before seeding-time came, fifteen 
acres were ready for sowing. But there was no seed 
to be had nearer than at Pigeon Prairie (now White 
Pigeon), and Mr. Olds prepared to go there for .some. His 
family was also nearly out of flour, and he must get some 
at the mills at that place. So, hitching up his ox-teani, he 
started off, expecting to be absent three days. But when he 
arrived at his destination he found that the wheat had not 
yet been threshed, and he was obliged to assist in the per- 
formance of that operation. It was done in the Scriptural 
fashion. A piece of ground was leveled and the surface 
pounded smooth with heavy mauls. Then the wheat was 
strewed upon this floor, and the oxen driven round and 
round upon it until their continued tread had separated the 
wheat from the stalk. It was then winnowed in the wind 
by tossing in a basket, and finally put into bags for trans- 
portation. On account of this extra and unexpected labor 
the three days had lengthened into six before Mr. Olds 
appeared at his cabin with fifteen bushels of .seed-wheat and 
a welcome sujiply of flour. The wheat was sown at the 
rate of oue bushel to the acre, and the crop, when it came 



268 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



to be harvested the nest summer, jielilod an average of 
tliirty bushels to the acre. After the wheat was ccnimittcd 
to the care of mother earth, the next business was to put 
up a log house for the use of the family. Tlie slab shanty 
answered very well for a pioneer summer residence, but the 
storms of autumn and winter would inevitably find every 
crack and crevice, and render it an uncomfortable habita- 
tion. So a log house of comfortable dimensions was put 
up a few rods east of the southwest corner of section 18, 
and the flimily moved in. No other settlers are known to 
have come in until the next spring. Then Leonard Taylor 
and John H. Stephens came in the month of March, and 
rented the tavern of Timothy R. Wallace. Ethan Allen 
had been keeping it for a while, but he now moved away. 

Leonard Taylor, accompanied by his wife and three 
children, left his home, twenty miles east of Buffalo, N. Y., 
in March, 1834, and came to Michigan. He lived at Clin- 
ton a year, and then came to this town in company with 
John H. Stephens, as above related. Mr. Taylor kept the 
tavern about ten years (having purchased it in 1837 or 38), 
and then moved on to a ftrm near Lime Lake and devoted 
himself to agriculture. lie conlinned in this business 
throughout his life, living in difl'creiit parts of tlie town, 
and finally settling on section 29, where he died in 1877. 
His widow, two sons, and a daughter arc still living in this 
town. 

John H. Stephens remained in the tavern a while and 
then removed to a farm on the State road, in section 14, 
the one now occupied by Jacob Daharsh. Upon his elec- 
tion to the office of sheriff he removed to Branch, from 
there to Coldwater, and a few years later to some place in 
the West. 

In August following Taylor and Stephen.s' coming, the 
Reynolds family came and bought the York farm and tavern 
stand of Jeremiah Tillottson. The party was made up of 
Aljiheus Reynolds and his wife, his son John and his wife, 
and his other children Alpheus, Jr., William, Lewis, Mary, 
Phoebe, and Betsey. They came from Batavia, Genesee 
Co., N. Y. On this farm Tillottson had built another log 
house beside the tavern, so the party divided, William and 
his wife occupying the tavern, and the rest of the family 
moving into the other building. Jacob, another son of 
Alpheus, came on with his family a few years later. Of 
this fiimily, but one, John, is now living in this town. 
Alpheus, Sr., and Jacob died here, and the others removed 
to different parts of the country. 

In the spring of 1835, Martin Olds returned to his former 
home iu Ohio, to buy a drove of cattle to bring into this 
country. He collected a small drove and hired John Ens- 
ley to assist him in driving them to this town. Upon his 
arrival here Eusley was so well pleased with the looks of 
the country that ho entered the southeast fractional quarter 
of section 15, in June, and then returned to Ohio to make 
preparations for removal. In September he came with an 
ox-team, bringing his wife and two children, the youngest 
a babe which Mrs. Ensley carried in her arms most of the 
way. She traveled all the way on foot, and made the jour- 
ney from Jonesville to this place in one day, the 9th day 
of September. Arrived here, they built a log house and 
commenced clearing the laud. 



Some time during this same fall Allen Stoddard settled 
about a mile north of iMr. Olds' clearing, and John Bas- 
sett moved on to his land, the northeast fractional quarter 
of section 34. John Bassett formerly resided in the town 
of Andes, Delaware Co., N. Y., and traveled the entire 
distance to this place in a covered wagon drawn by one span 
of horses. He was accompanied by his wife, six sons, and 
one daughter. He had started West with the intention of 
seeking a home on the fertile prairie lands of Illinois, and 
had shipped most of his goods by way of the canal and 
lakes to Chicago. It was afterwards an expensive and vex- 
atious task to get them back to this place. The party, in 
due time, arrived at Barney Wing's tavern, about three 
miles east of Coldwater, and stopped there for the night. 
They were then traveling in company with six other wagon 
loads of emigrants, and two besides their own stopped at 
Wing's, while the rest pressed on to the New York House, 
and stopped there. William Reynolds, whose wife had 
formerly known the Bassetts at the East, while conversing 
with the new arrivals learned that Mr. Bassett was stopping 
at Wing's, and was looking at the land along the route 
with a view of po.ssibly settling here. So he sent word 
back by some eastward bound travelers for Mr. Ba.ssett to 
come on to his place and look around from that base of 
operations. In accordance with this invitation, the family 
came on the next day, and in a few days the farm was 
selected and entered, and the work of preparing a home 
begun. 

At about the .same time a blacksmith by the name of 
John Woodruff' came and built the first blacksraith-sho]i in 
the town on section 28. He was an ardent lover of field 
sports, and devoted a considerable part of his time to roam- 
ing the forest with his gun, in search of game, or sitting 
beside the lakes with rod and line, endeavoring to catch the 
finny inhabitants of the waters In pursuit of these sports 
he traveled over almost every foot of the surrounding 
country, and learned the fact that the " opening" in the 
southern centre of the town was almost or quite surrounded 
by water-courses and marshes. From this fact he at once 
gave it the name of " The Island," by which name it has 
since been commonly known. Some ten or fifteen years 
later he removed from the town to some point farther West. 

Shirlock Cook came to Michigan in company with the 
Shay family, the party in all numbering seventeen persons, 
and having one wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen. He at 
that time went to Oxbow Prairie, Ind., and lived a couple 
of years, returning to this town and settling on section 28 
in the summer of 1835. The lake to which his land ran 
was named after him. He died in this town about thirty- 
two years ago. 

The spring of 1836 brought in other settlers. Among 
them were Timothy Miller, who settled on section 26, near 
Lime Lake ; John M. Chapin, on the east half of the south- 
east quarter of section 29 ; Benjamin Olmstead, on section 
27 ; and Philo Porter, on a farm of 120 acres, lying in .sec- 
tion 27. 

Timothy Miller died while still a resident of this town, 
some twelve or fifteen years ago. Benjamin Olmstead, who 
was a prominent Methodist, and ever active in the cause of 
religion, and who was regularly the candidate for, and as 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



269 



rc-;^ul;u-ly elected to, tlie olliee of ]i(ioriuiiSter for several 
years, died here about twenty-seven years ago. John M. 
Chiipin was a single man when he came here, but was mar- 
ried in July following his arrival to Miss Barthena Smith, 
a niece of Martin Olds, who was living with her uncle's 
family. Ho remained here hut a few years before he moved 
to Illinois. He returned to this town several years later, 
and died here about 1845. I'hilo Porter came here from 
the town of Alexander, (lenesoe ("o., N. Y. He once (in 
1834) came West to lonk n\< a lueation, and traveled most 
of tlie way on foot. He had heard much said about the 
beauty of the country near the Coldwater River, and also 
about the beauty of the river itself. He reached the river 
bank weary, footsore, di.scouraged, and, seeing the rank- 
growing flags and rushes that covered its banks, and reached 
far out into the stream, he became disgusted ; and, telling 
his companions that, " if that was a specimen of the beauty 
of the country, he wanted to sec no more of it," turned on 
his heel, and started on his return to New York. 15ut he 
was desirous to secure a home of his own, and the com- 
paratively high price of land at the East rather forced him 
to take his second journey to this State, which he made iti 
the I'all of 1835, and on which occasion, in November, he 
entered the land on which he afterwards settled. He was 
married March 17, 18.'{(;, in Byron, Gotie.see Co., N. Y., to 
Mi.ss Martha Hosnier, and a few weeks later. May 9, 183{), 
they started for their home in the wilderness, having a 
wagon loaded with provisions and household goods, drawn 
by a yoke of oxen. At Buft'alo they embarked on a steamer 
for Monroe, and from there came to this town with their own 
conveyance. They arrived at their new home, and found 
the rude log hut which they had purchased of Stephen 
Shay occupied by a family of squatters, whom they warned 
out, but allowed to remain there till the next day. This 
house was covered with a bark roof, which Mr. Porter re- 
placed with a shake roof, and otherwise improved the build- 
ing before the next winter came on. Mr. Porter's wife 
died soon after their pioneer life began, and a second wife 
lived but a year after her marriage ; so that it will be seen 
that he has been called upon to suffer groat lo.sses, and much 
pain and sorrow, in his efforts to carry on the work of re- 
deeming this country from the dominion of the forests. Re- 
garding his experiences, more will be found in the bio- 
graphical sketch publi.shed in another part of this work. He 
is now living with his third wife on the place he first took 
up, in the enjoyment of the respect and affection of his 
fellow-men, and the (|uiet and peace which he has so well 
e.irned by his life of industry and devotion to the advance- 
ment of the best interests of the commonwealth and its 
citizens. During the two terms he held the office of sheriff 
he resided in Coldwater, but all the rest of the time has 
resided on his farm. 

As early as this, and perhaps earlier, Jabez Bronson had 
settled on section 35. He settled in the town of Bronson 
(which was named after him) in 1828, and sold out there 
when he came to this town. He remained here the rest of 
his life. 

In the fall of 183fi, Francis Bassett, a brother of John 
Ba.s.'iett, settled on .section 35. His wife and seven chil- 
dren, live .sons and two daughters, came with him. They 



were from Kortwright, Delaware Co., N. Y. He died a 
year after coming here (Aug. 24, 1837), and his descend- 
ants have all removed from the town. Two sons and one 
daushter are living in Coldwater. 

The .settlement of the town had thus far progressed 
rather slowly, but for the next few years it was more rapid. 
We refer briefly to a few of these later arrivals. 

Morgan L. Tyler came to Michigan in the spring of 
183G, and .selected a iarm in the timbered land on the 
south half of the northeast (|uarter of section 5. The 
journey here and back to his home in Mexico, Oswego Co., 
N. Y., w;is made on foot, except occasional rides he was 
fortunate enough to catch. Having completed his prepara- 
tions for removing his family, he left his former home, 
and came as far west as Monroe Co., N. Y., in the spring 
of 1837, and remained there till tlie fall, when he (-oiitinued 
his journey, in company with Archibald Grove, Daniel 
Sprague, and M. B. Barnhart. After crossing the lake, 
they landed at Toledo, and came from there by ox-teams, 
traveling by way of Adrian, Jonesville, and Coldwater, 
leaving the Chicago road at the latter place, and proceeding 
eight miles northwest to " Hodunk," now called Orange- 
ville, where Peter Grove, a brother-in-law of Mr. Tyler, 
was living. At this ]iiiint they left their families while 
preparing homes liir their reception, and then moved upon 
their places. Mr. Barnhart settled in Union, the others in 
this town : Archibald Grove on section 4, Daniel Sprague 
on the northwest quarter of section 4, and Mr. Tyler on 
the land he had previously entered on section 5. 

Mr. Tyler's family at that time consisted of a wife and 
four children. Their daughter met with a narrow escape 
from serious injury or painful death while on the way here. 
She was sitting in the front part of the wagon, when the 
forward wheels ran into a deep rut and threw her out of 
the wagon into the road. The wheel ran over her foot 
and threw her again to the ground, and the heavy hind 
wheel passed so close to her head as to catch some of her 
hair beneath its iron circumference, and tear it from her 
head. Mr. Tyler and his wife are still honored residents 
of the town in which they settled at such an early day. 

Daniel Sprague was accompanied by his wife, one child, 
and his brother John. Daniel continued to live in this 
town until his death, which occurred in 1873. John went 
away and served in the Black Hawk war. He afterwards 
returned to this towTi, settled on section 4, and died here 
several years later. 

Archibald Grove died in Batavia about 1853-54. His 
brother, Peter Grove, came from Orangeville about 1840, 
and located at North Batavia. Some ten or fifteen years 
later he removed to Girard, and died there in 1876. 

Evan Davis located a farm on the northeast quarter of 
section 5 in the spring of 1838, returned to his home in 
Pittsford, Monroe Co., N. Y., w:ts married, and in the fall 
came on to his place. After living here a few years he 
removed to Wisconsin. 

Samuel H. Cary, with liis wife, three children, and his 
wife's sister, Miss Lucy Woodard, came from Ithaca, 
Tompkins Co., N. Y., and in June, 1838, settled on sec- 
tion 34, where he opened an inn, and kept it for several 
years. About the year 1850 he removed to Coldwater, 



270 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



and subsequeMtly to a farm south of the village of Branch, 
where he died about ten years ago. 

Elijah Thomas was a son-in-law of Moses Paine Twho 
settled in Bethel at an early day), and came here from 
Genesee Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1838, for the purpose of 
engaging in the mercantile business at York. He brought 
a family consisting of his wife and two children, and rent- 
ing the addition that Reynolds had built on the east end 
of the tavern (which had been used as a store for nearly 
a year), opened a stock of goods there. About ten years 
later he removed to Mishawaka, Ind., where he died. 

Hiram Brink and his wife came to this town in May, 
1839, from Urbana, Steuben Co., N. Y., and settled on the 
west half of the southwest quarter of section 33. The 
journey was made by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo, 
from there to Detroit by steamer, thence to Ypsilanti by 
railroad, and the rest of the distance by stage-coach. The 
land had previously been entered by a Mr. Ferguson. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brink still live to enjoy the home they built up 
in the wilderness. 

Among the other early settlers we find the names of 
Samuel Woodard, Amasa W. Miller, Mr. Perrin and three 
sons, James L. Young, Ira GifFord, George D. Babbitt, 
Horace Field, Benjamin Parker, Jeremiah Newville, and 
David Fonda, who settled here as early as the year 183G ; 
Lot Whitcomb, Samuel Fairbanks, Augustus JMiller, Smith 
Dow, Joel and Commodore P. Woodard, as early as 1837 ; 
Ira P. Strong, as early as 1838; Charles W. Weatherby, 
Hiram Hadley, George Hoag, Lewis Kingsbury, and Na- 
thaniel Woodard, as early as 1839 ; and Albert Dudley, 
Thomas Davis, and Hiram C. Welch, as early as 1840. 

Benjamin Parker died in June, 1844, from the effects of 
a gunshot wound accidentally received. He owned a piece 
of land in the north part of the town, and that day went to 
look at it, carrying his axe on his shoulder. Afler com- 
pleting his survey he started homeward, taking a course to 
bring him around the north end of the marsh, and, as he 
was passing through the bushes, was shot by a man named 
John White, who mistook him for a deer. White had, 
while out hunting only the night before, seen a disturbance 
in the bushes at tlie same place, and waiting to be sure that 
it was a deer, lost his game. So, on this occasion, he fired 
at the first indications of the presence of game. The ball 
entered Mr. Parker's right side just above the hip, and 
passed through the abdomen in a quartering course, sever- 
ing the intestines. The shooting occurred about three 
o'clock in the afternoon, and help being procured, Parker 
was taken to Mr. Miller's and a physician summoned from 
Coldwater. It was all in vain, for, in spite of all efforts to 
prevent a fatal result, he died at two o'clock the next morn- 
ing. Before his death he exonerated White from all blame 
in the matter, declaring the shooting to have been purely 
accidental. 

It is related of Joel Woodard that he came to this 
town dressed in ragged and uncouth clothing, with his 
shoes under his arm instead of upon his feet. Going to 
Martin Olds, he told him he was a total stranger to the 
country, and, not having had any experience in the select- 
ing of land, desired his assistance and judgment to enable 
him to select a good piece of land for his future home. 



Mr. Olds was struck by the appearance of the man, and, 
believing him to be a poor man anxious to do the best he 
could with the little means he had to invest in land, took 
great pains to go about with him, showing him the most 
desirable lands in the vicinity, and carefully explaining to 
him the qualities of each particular piece that made it more 
or less valuable than the others. After the " looking" was 
done he rested in the self-conscious satisfaction of having 
done a good, kind, and generous deed. What, then, was 
his surprise and chagrin when, after Woodard's return from 
the land-oflBce, it became known that his " little home" was 
to consist of eijlitecH lots selected from the best lands in 
the vicinity. The land thus entered included, among others, 
the present farms of L. R. Austin, Samuel Smith, John M. 
Gray, H. S. Hill, and Ira Holdridge. 

We will now gather up the threads of our story and 
trace the subsequent history of those of the early settlers 
whose record has thus far been left incomplete. 

Martin Olds at once became a prominent man in the 
town and county. Elected as the first surpervisor of the 
town, he continued to hold that office for seven successive 
years. He also held several other town offices. At the first 
election of county officers, in November, 1830, he was elected 
to be probate judge, and held the office for two terms, eight 
years in all. In the session of 1843-44 he represented 
this district in the State Legislature. In politics he was 
a Democrat, and unflinchingly maintained the doctrines 
held by that party in the face of all opposition. In busi- 
ness he was energetic aud industrious, and conducted his 
affairs with good judgment. His simple, downright honesty 
of purpose and strict integrity of character is well illus- 
trated by an incident connected with the history of the 
" Bank of Branch."' While that village was the prospective 
metropolis of the county a bank was organized there, and 
the stockholders elected Mr. Olds as its president. All the 
preliminaries connected with the opening of the bank had 
been gone through with, the bills had been engraved and 
printed, and only lacked the officers' .signatures to make 
them ready for issue. A meeting of the stockholders was 
called to complete the business, and they met at the ap- 
pointed time. The State law under which the bank was 
organized required that a certain percentage of the amount 
of bills issued should be deposited in specie by the stock- 
holders as a guarantee fund to provide for the redemption 
of the bills. That this provision of the law was very gen- 
erally disregarded is conclusively shown by the subsequent 
history of the panic of 1837. In this case the meeting 
was held, and Mr. Olds went to it with his share of the 
guarantee fund in his pocket ready for deposit. The others 
did not come similarly prepared, and, when the bills were pre- 
sented to be signed, he refused peremptorily to sign a single 
one until the required deposits had all been made. From this 
position neither threats nor persuasion could move him, and 
the result was that the bank came to naught. In his in- 
tercourse with his fellow-men Mr. Olds was kind, consid- 
erate, and obliging. Through the troublous times of the 
first three or four years after the settlers began to come here 
he was often called upon to render material assistance to 
the poor families who had not yet been able to provide 
themselves with the necessaries of life, and it was always 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



271 



williii-ly and i^cnerously furnished. Ho wull deserved the 
name he bore, of a kind neighbor and a generous friend. 
By his enterprising public .spirit he was led to take a prom- 
inent part in schemes for advancing the interests of the 
county, and entered heartily into the efforts to build up a 
village at Branch, then the county-seat. He owned sev- 
eral lots there, and was elected president of a stock com- 
pany organized for the purpo.sc of publishing the " Eastern 
Star," a paper devoted to news, politics, and literature. 
The ineoption of this project is to be credited to him. 
This paper, the first in the county, was edited by .Tared 
Pond, and had but a brief existence. In the spring of 
1851, Mr. Olds and his son, James II., went by the over- 
land route to Oregon, with a view to settling there. Being 
satisfied with the country he sent his son back to this State 
in February following, and the next spring (1852) all of 
the family except one son, Martin P., who still remains a 
resident of this town, emigrated across the plains to their 
new home on the Pacific coast, in Yam Hill Co., Oregon. 
The overland journey occupied eight months' time, the 
party often traveling farther from the trail in search of pas- 
turage and water than tlicy advanced along their course on 
the same day. Mr. Olds held the positions of postmaster, 
probate judge, and member of the constitutional conven- 
tion in his new home, and died in the fall of 1873, full of 
years and honors, loved and respected by all who knew him 
and who hold his many virtues in fond remembrance. 

John Ensley continued to reside in this town until the 
spring of 1852, when he was taken with a desire to go to 
Oregon, and, with one of his daughters, joined the company 
of emigrants then starting across the plains and accompanied 
them to the Pacific coast. He never returned to the East, 
and is still residing in Oregon, where he has since been 
joined by others of his children. 3Irs. Ensley, with five 
sons and one daughter, remained on the farm, and, with 
their ;issistance, has succeeded in making it one of the 
finest in the township. She is still living on the home- 
stead, and two sons and one daughter still remain residents 
of the town. 

Allen Stoddard's wife died soon after they settled here 
and he then returned to his former home. 

John Ha.^.sett lived in this town till his death, which 
occurred April 27, 1874. He was an excellent citizen, a 
man of great and untiring energy, and of the utmost prob- 
ity of character. One son, Adam, is still a resident of 
this town, and anotlier, George II., resides in the adjoining 
town of Bronson. The rest of the children have removed 
to different parts of the country. 

At the time of settlement the woods were well filled with 
wild game of the various kinds usual to the country, and 
the lakes and streams were full of fish. There was also an 
abundance of the small fruits, including, in the list, straw- 
berries, blackberries, cranberries, crab-apples, wild cherries, 
wild plums, and frost-grapes. Prom these sources the 
pioneers drew largely for their sustenance, and were there- 
by relieved oftentimes from the pangs of hunger, which, 
without them, would have been inevitable. For a year or 
two it was impossible to raise sufficient crops to supply food 
for the subsistence of the inhabitants, and it was often ne- 
cessary to dispatch teams to White Pigeon, Jonesville, 



Adrian, or even sometimes to Detroit, for provisions. 
Trading-posts were soon established at nearer points, and 
thus these long and tedious journeys were rendered unne- 
cessary. There were a good many roaming Indians about, 
who came from their village at Nottawa to hunt, fi.sh, and 
make maple-sugar. They were always friendly and peace- 
ful, and ready to trade with the whites. When they came 
to visit the taverns, and could exchange .some of their com- 
modities for "fire-water," they often made the forest resound 
through the hours of the night with the hideous yells that 
accompanied their drunken orgies, but they never came into 
collision with the whites, and were a few years later trans- 
ferred to their reservations west of the " Father of W^itere." 
The woods were full of nut-bearing trees, the beech, hickory, 
walnut, hazel, and oak, and their annual crop of mast af- 
forded the settlers the means of fattening their hogs both 
cheaply and without any extra labor. 

During the progress of the work of reclaiming these wild 
lands there was a great and general prevalence of malarial 
diseases among the families living here. Indeed, it came 
to be looked upon as a matter of course that as soon as the 
fall opened, sickness should break out in the settlement. 
This was supposed to result from various causes, or from a 
combination of them. The extensive marshes, where the 
frost killed vegetation lay and rotted, the breaking up of the 
crude, rank soil, the decaying timber in the clearings, — • 
these and other causes were assigned as the reasons for the 
sickness, and all, no doubt, contributed more or less to that 
result. The fall of 1838 was especially marked by a more 
than usually severe sickly season. Every family wiis in- 
vaded, and scarcely a person in the settlement escaped the 
ravages of the disease. At the period when the sickness 
reached its climax there were scarcely well people enough 
to care for the sick. Several deaths occurred. One in- 
stance is related of a family, composed of a man and his 
wife and three children, every member of which was sick 
with the fever. All were lying in one room, the father and 
mother in one bed, and the children in another. During 
the night the wife died in her husband's arms, and he, 
being too sick to allow of his helping himself in any man- 
ner, was compelled to spend the weary, sorrow-burdened 
hours till the morning, lying beside the cold remains of the 
companion of his joys and sorrows. In this situation they 
were found by the neighbors, who came the next morning 
to see how they were getting along. Other similar in- 
stances, though perhaps none of such a harrowing nature, 
could be related describing the hardships endured by the 
pioneers of this town ; but it is not necessary to do so, for 
all know of these things, and are not likely soon to forget 
them. 

Regarding the scarcity of food at certain times, it is 
asserted that, while waiting for the first wheat harvest, 
some of the settlers' families lived on greens for several 
days; and before the wheat was dry enough to thresh, 
took some of it, and picking the unripe wheat from the 
straw, boiled and ate it. Pork at some times was sold as 
j high as twenty-five cents per pound, and was not always to 
be had even at that price. 

The winter of 1843—44 was especially hard upon the 
settlei-s, because of its extreme severity and the heavy fall 



272 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of snow. The snow fell to a depth of about two feet, and 
the cold froze a hard crust over its surface, so that the 
cattle could not get at the grass in the openings on which 
they were usually dependent for a large part of their win- 
ter's subsistence ; and the supply of fodder giving out, 
many perished of cold and starvation, and the rest were 
kept through only by felling maple, elm, and basswood 
trees, and letting them browse the tender twigs in their 
tops. 

The settlers started orchards as soon as the land was 
cleared and under cultivation, some by sowing seeds brought 
with them from the East, and others setting out young trees 
brought from the same quarter. Among the first to set 
out an orchard was John Ensley, who bought twelve trees 
of a man who brought a lot to the " New York House," 
and set tliem out near the corner of section 1 5. Three of 
these trees are still to be seen in that orchard. 

The first hotel, as has been said, was the Taylor Tavern, 
afterwards called the Batavia Hou.se. It was almost in- 
variably the stopping-place for intending settlers, and the 
place for holding public meetings of the citizens. During 
the sickly season before referred to, many people stopped 
there ; though, the most of Mr. Taylor's household being 
sick, they had to attend to them.selves and do their own 
cooking. Some of these people died there before having in 
realit3' begun their pioneer lives. The next hotel was the 
" New York House," and this was followed by " Cary's" 
and then by " Dudley's" taverns. For many years these 
were the only hotels in the township. They were all on 
the Chicago turnpike. 

In the fall of 1835 the few families in the eastern part 
of this town and the western part of Coldwater made up 
their minds that they needed a school for their children. 
The towns had not been organized, and such things as 
school districts were as yet unknown ; so the men of the 
neighborhood met together, at a time appointed for the 
purpose, and put up a small log house, finishing it ofi" with 
a puncheon-floor and a chamber-floor of the same descrip- 
tion, covered with leaves, and over them a coating of earth. 
The chinks between the logs were stopped in the usual 
manner; the seats were made of slabs, flat side up, with 
round sticks for legs ; the desks were formed of boards laid 
on pegs driven horizontally into the walls ; and one end 
of the building was devoted to a huge fire-place. Here, in 
the winter of 1835-36, a Mr. Southworth kept the first 
school in the township, and though the scholars had to 
come long distances afoot, bringing with them very often 
but the scantiest and most frugal mid-day meal, and had 
but few books (Webster's spelling-book being the only 
test-book used, *and an average of half a book to each 
scholar rather being over than under the actual supply), 
still they derived a great benefit from even this rude, 
primary, pioneer school. This school-house stood on the 
quarter-line a quarter of a mile south of the north line of 
section 13. David Fonda taught there the next winter. 
It is related regarding this school that a family named 
Dobson, who lived some distance from the school, owned a 
mule, and all the five children they sent to school very 
often rode the mule to the school-house, and then turned him 
loose and let him return home. As the school was small. 



whenever these five children were late it was necessary to 
delay the cla.ss till their arrival. One day the reading- 
lesson contained the phrase, " we often await the arrival of 
the mail." A lad named Newville, whose turn to read 
came with the verse containing this expression, was some- 
what waggish in his ways ; and, with a droll expression 
and a sly look towards the Dobson children, he rendered 
it, " we often await the arrival of the — mule." 

At the spring election in 1836 the town elected school- 
commissioners, and they set to work to organize the town 
into school districts. The first record of their action reads 
as follows : 

"school district 1st. 

" We, the commissioners of Common Scliools, of Townsiiip of 
Batavia, do hereby establish a School District, to bo called District 
No. 1, including Sections twenty-si.\, twenty-seven & twenty-eight & 
thirty-four, thirty-five, & the east half of thirty-three, and the south 
half of twenty-one & twenty-two, in township Six South, Range Seven 
west. And the taxable inhabitants of Said District are hereby Noti- 
fied to Meet at the House of Benjamin Olmsted's, in Said District, on 
Wensday, the eighth Day of June Next, at one o'clock P.M., to choose 
the officers of Said District for the Ensuing Year, and to Transact 
such other business as may Come before Said meeting. 
'* Batavia Tuwnsiiii', May the 27th, 1S36. 

'^ John B.\ssbtt, ] CtnluuUsinlters of 
" .ToHN M. CHAPI!f, j Common Schools. 
" J. n. Stevens, T. Clerk." 

In the fall a site was purchased on the Chicago road, in 
section 27, of Benjamin and Catharine Olmstead, for the 
sum of $25. The deed was dated Nov. 15, 1836, and the 
title was to revert to the original owners when the premises 
should cease to bo occupied for school purposes. 

District No. 2 was also formed that year, and held its 
first meeting on the 12th day of December, probably at 
Taylor's tavern. The record of its action reads as follows, 
viz. : 

" Chose Leonard Taylor moderator, and Francis Bassett 
clerk of the meeting. 

** Resolved, That the site of the school-house be on the Laud of 
Timothy R. Wallace, Nearly opposite the Perrins, and s*d Wallace 
agrees to Give sufficient Land to accommodate s'd House. 

" Jiesoh'ed, That Abel Olds, Timothy R. Wallace, and Ira Gifi'ord 
serve as Trustees the Ensuing year. 

** Resolved, That thirty Dollars, by Tax, build said House, to be of 
Logs, 16 by IS feet. 

" Resolved, That Leonard Taylor Serve as Clerk and Collector the 
present year. 

" Resolved, That $12 of the Tax be paid in cash and the Remainder 
in Labor and Material.^ if Performed by Saturday evening Next, un- 
less the Trustees Give further indulgence. 

'■ Resolved, That the Trustees make out the appoiutment by Thurs- 
day Next." 

This plan was subsequently modified, and a small frame 
house was substituted for the proposed log house. In this 
Miss Caroline Brink kept the first school. 

From time to time, as the increase of the population de- 
manded, and the development of the country warranted, 
new districts were formed, until at present there are nine 
districts and six fractional districts in the town. Of the 
nine school-houses, three are of brick, the rest frame build- 
ings. The first apportionment of school money of which 
any record is in existence was made July 10, 1843. The 
number of scholars was then 134, and the amount dis- 
tributed was $49.58. The amount expended for school 




John d Imber. 



JOHlSr D. IMBER. 



John D. Imber was born in Dorsetshire, Eng- 
land, Nov. 24, 1815. His father and mother were 
natives of the same place. 

James Imber was married to Miss Sarah Burt, 
and the result of that union was a family of fif- 
teen children, Mr. John D. Imber being the 
youngest of the family. All are deceased except 
John D. and one sister, Ann, who resides at New- 
bury, Berkshire, England, the wife of a Methodist 
clergyman. Mr. Imber was apprenticed at the age 
of fourteen to a carriage-maker in Shrofton. He 
remained there five and a half years, when he went 
to the city of Salisbury and worked at his trade. 
He remained there about four years, and from 
there went to Andover, and continued to work at his 
trade in that place about three years, whence he 
returned to Dorsetshire. In 1849 he set sail for 
America in the " Royal George," and landed in 
New York City, March 20, 1849. Remaining 



only a few days in the city, he went to Pekin, 
N. Y., and engaged in carriage-making. Remain- 
ing there a year, he went to Royalton Centre, follow- 
ing his trade. Shortly after he returned to Pekin, 
and July 5, 1852, married Juliet, daughter of Orrin 
and Camille Sayles. The result of this union is 
a family of four children : Sarah, born March 
20, 1853; Thyrza A., born Jan. 13, 1855; Eliza- 
beth C, born Jan. 6, 1857 ; James O., born Aug. 
2, 1858. All of whom are living. He resided 
in Pekin about two years, and then removed to 
the town of Batavia, Branch Co., Mich., in tlie 
year 1854, settling on section 2. His fifty acres 
of unimproved land he purchased of Elijah Grove. 
By perseverance and energy Mr. Imber has ac- 
cumulated an abundance of this world's goods, and 
is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. He is 
in politics a Republican. He has been justice of 
the peace for eight years. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



purposes in 1S7>^ wxs 821595.74. Ainoii;.^ thcoarly teachers 
of tlie schools ill this town were Aiiiaiuhi Porter, Bethany 
Smith, Cares.su Smitii, C. P. WoodarJ, Maltha Sherwiii, 
Peter B. Porter, Joseph A. Albertsoii, Harriet K. Twicliell, 
Roxana Iloaj;. Philo Porter, .^Iiallli Palelien, Amelia Ba.s- 
sclt, Ameha Woodanl, l']van l>avis, Samuel Taber, Harriet 
Deniarest, Julia Brink, and Luciiida Fairbanks. 

Probably the first wliite eliilil born in this town was 
Nancy A., danjrhterot' Martin Olds. She was born in Octo- 
ber, 1834, and grew to young womanhood in this town. 
At the asic of eij;hteen she went with her father's family to 
Oregon, was there married to H. S. Jacobs, and in 1860 
returned East. After living a couple of ycai-s in New York 
they removed to Clyde, Ohio, where she now resides with 
her husband and throe children. 

The marriage of Israel Mudgc to Miss Melissa Olds, a 
sLster of Martin Olds, is supposed to have been the first 
wedding in Batavia. The affair took place at the residence 
of Martin Olds in the fall of 1835. The records show that 
there were two other weddings the next summer, as witness 
the following extracts : 

"July 27, 1836. Gave Jirris Parker License to Mary* 
Sarah Wilder." 

" July 29, 1836. Gave John M. Chapin License to Mary 
Bethany Smith." 

Among tlie earliest deaths was that of Franklin Taylor, 
a son of Leonard and Caroline Taylor, which occurred in 
August, 1885. 

The first saw-mill in the town was a water-mill on Mill 
Creek, then called Mud Creek, and was built by Alpheus, 
William, and John Reynolds, in 1836. The mill was built 
under the supervision of Charles W. Wcatherby, who was 
an accomplished millwright. It was subsequently twice 
rebuilt, and owned by several different parties, among them 
Philo Porter and Samuel Woodard (from whom the mill 
obtained its name, " the Woodard Mill"), and is now owned 
by Henry C. Lewis. In 1871-72 the mill was fitted with 
steam machinery. For nearly twenty years it was the only 
mill in the town, which now boasts four, all run by steam 
power. 

The population of this town has ever been classed as 
rural, no villages having grown up within its borders. 
Probably its proximity to the city of Coldwater, and to the 
thriving village of Bronson, is largely responsible for this 
state of things. In the first few 3'ears aft(!r the New York 
House was opened a little hamlet grew up about it, which 
at one time contained about a dozen or fifteen buildings of 
various characters. This ha.s, however, all disappeared, and 
the old tavern it,self has been out of existence more than 
a score of years. 

At a subsequent date an attempt to found a village on 
section 28 was made. A plat of ground was survcvcd and 
laid out in streets and lots. It was near the pond of the 
Woodard saw-mill, and was named "Lawtonville," after the 
man who owned the land. It is said that William Rey- 
nolds was also interested in the project to some extent. 
That the scheme was entered upon in good faith is scarcely 
probable when the nature and location of the land is con- 



* Marry. 



sidered. The lots were largely sold to Eastern people, who 
bought them [irobably in most cases for purposes of spec- 
ulation. No village ever had even the most incipient ex- 
istence there. 

It is said that one afternoon a weary, travel-stained, and 
dusty individual, mounted on a jaded hor.«e, rode up to the 
AVoodard saw-mill, and, hailing one of the men, asked 
where the village of Lawtonville was. The man ques- 
tioned pointed in the direction of the pond and said, " It 
lies right out there, sir." The traveler looked incredu- 
lous, and then, as the truth of the situation dawned upon 
his mind, — disgusted and muttering angrily to himself, — 
wheeled his horse, ejaculated the single but expressive 
word " sold," and rode away in the direction whence he 
came. 

Is it possible that the immortal Dickens was familiar 
with the history of Lawtonville, and drew therefrom the 
lugubrious situation which afforded Tupley the satisfaction 
of knowing that at last he had reached a point in his ex- 
istence where there was some merit in being "jolly?" 

The next .symptom of village growth was manifested in 
1855, at the centre of the town. F. A. Hall, of Cold- 
water, in that year built a .steam saw-mill there. Three 
or four years before, Melchor Reik built an addition to his 
log house ( formerly built by the first .settlor on the place, 
John Grable) and opened it as a tavern. It was afterwards 
kept by Peter Grove, and was discontinued when the pres- 
ent hotel was built by Curtiss Storne, in 1865-66. From 
this the hamlet has grown until at present it has a saw- 
mill, blacksmith-shop, hotel, fine brick school-house (built 
in 1869, at a cost of $2200), and about a dozen dwellings. 

The next effort at forming a village was made when the 
railroad station was established at the northwest corner of 
section 35, in 1875. The railroad company required 10 
acres of land to accommodate their buildings, and agreed 
to make a stopping-place in the town if the citizens would 
furnish the land. A .subscription was started, and some- 
thing over §200 rai.sed. There were two locations in view, 
one at Barnes' Crossing, on the turnpike, and the one 
finally fixed upon. ]?arnes, whose location was considered 
the most desirable, would not accept the amount raised in 
payment for his land, and the other site was ])urehased of 
Aaron J. and Hubbard F. Buffham. The railroad com- 
pany have done but little to improve the site thus gener- 
ously donated for their use. 

Soon after this, E C. Bowers put up a small store near 
the station, where he opened a small stock of goods. He 
was also the railroad company's agent at this place. The 
other .store was built and occupied by Benjamin S. Wilcox, 
who was then appointed po.stmaster. A blacksmith and 
wagon-shop was also erected by a Mr. Wessell, and a little 
hamlet has sprung up there containing some half a dozen 
dwellings in addition to the buildings already mentioned. 

About 1837 or 1838 the State authorized the laying of 
a State road, which passed through tlie centre of the town 
from east to west. It was surveyed by Jared Pond, and 
Martin Olds was one of the commissioners in charge of the 
work. The line was surveyed and marked, but the road 
was not improved very inueli until some years later. It was 
then Worked by the inhabitants along its route. When the 



35 



274 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Michigan Southern Railroad reached Hillsdale, quite a 
traffic passed over this road from the mills to the westward, 
which sent their flour by teams to Hillsdale, there to be 
shipped east on the railroad. In bad weather the teams 
would come with four barrels of flour till they had got 
through the timbered lands, when they would unload and 
return for four more. When they returned with that, they 
would reload the first lot and proceed on their way to Hills- 
dale with the eiglit barrels. The road through the timber 
was generally bad, while on the openings it was compara- 
tively good. 

The first post-oflBce was established at the house of Samuel 
H. Gary, who was the po.stmaster, about 1 840. It was called 
Batavia, and has been located in that part of the town ever 
since. Upon the completion of the railroad the ofiBce was 
removed to the " Dudley" tavern, near the crossing, and 
Mr. Barr was commis.sioned as postmaster. He was suc- 
ceeded by William Barnes, and upon the establishing of the 
railroad station at its present location, the pcst-ofiice was 
removed there. The only other post-ofiice in the town was 
established at North Batavia in the spring of 1877, with 
Gideon D. Baggerly as postmaster. 

THE CIVIL AND POLITICAL HISTORY 

of this town properly begins with the meeting held at the 
New York House in the I'all or winter of 1835-36, at which 
it was resolved to petition the Legislature to organize this 
town under the name of Batavia. This name was selected 
in accordance with a request of William Reynolds, who de- 
sired to have the town named after his former home in 
western New York. In accordance with this petition the 
Legislature passed an act erecting the town, and appointing 
the first town-meeting at the house of William Reynolds. 
The meeting was held accordingly, and the following tran- 
script from the town records shows what action was taken 
at it. Following this will be found a civil list of the town, 
showing the names and dates of election of all the town 
ofiicers from 1836 to the present time. The record of the 
first meeting is as follows : 

FIRST TOHX-MEETIXG IN BATAVIA. 

(Copy.) 

** At a Township Meeting held at the House (»f Win. Reynolds, in 
the Town of Batavia, April 4th, 1S3(J, "Whereas Alpheus Reynolds, 
Esq., was ealled to the chair. Martin Olds chosen Moderator. J. II. 
Stevens, Jabes Bronson, Clerks, unanimously chosen to form the Board 
of Election, the following Persons were duly Elected to Otfice, To Wit 
Ane,\ed to their Names; Samuel Woodard, L. Taylor, Able Olds, 
Assessors; Morgan Smead, Shirlock Cook, Amasa Miller, Commis- 
sioners of Highways; Martin Olds, Supervisor; T. R. Wallis,-'-" Con- 
stable and Collector; James L. Young, Ira Gilford, George 1). Babbet, 
Constables ; Horrace Field, L. Taylor, John Bassett, Martin Olds, 
Magistrates ; J. H. Stevens, Town Clerk ; John M. Chapin, John 
Bassett, Moses Olmsted, School Commissioners; Abel Olds, Moses 
Olmsted, Directors of Poor; and on further consideration it was Re- 
solved, that the town be Divided into Districts for the Accommodation 
of the Path Masters. 

"In District No. I, Benjamin Parker, Path Master; No. 2, T. R. 
Walli.s® Path Master; No. 3, Shirlock Cook, Path Master; No. 4, 
John Woodruff, Path Master; No. 5, Moses Olmsted, Jr., Path Master; 
No. 6, Ira GifTord, Path Master; No. 7, John Woodruff, Path Master. 

" On motion, Resolved, that Constables are elected fence viewers. 

*' On motion. Resolved, that there be A Bounty on wolf scalps to the 

■-'■■ Wallace. 



Amount of one dollar for each and every scalp, if Provided Neverthe- 
less, that it be caught within the County of Branch, and by a Citizen 
of the town of Batavia in said County. 

"On motion, Resolved, that this Meeting Adjourn to L. Taylor's, 
in Batavia, for the next ensuing year." 





CIVIL 


LIST 






surEnvisous. 




1836- 


-12. Martin Olds. 


1861- 


-62. Harrison Cary. 


1S43- 


-47. Philo Porter. 


186.3- 


-65. David Fonda. 


1848. 


Smith Dow. 


1866. 


Morgan L. Tyler. 


1S49 


Philo Porter. 


1867- 


-70. James Campbell. 


18.50- 


-51. Nathaniel Woodard. 


1871- 


72. Charles W. Fairbanks. 


1852. 


Smith Dow. 


1873. 


Hiram iSimmons. 


1853- 


-54. James Murphy. 


1874. 


William M. Tyler. 


1855. 


David Fonda. 


1875. 


James Camiibell. 


1856. 


Philo Porter. 


1876- 


-77. William M. Tyler. 


1857- 


-58. Morgan L. Tyler. 


1878. 


Mahlon W. Brown.® 


1859. 


Willinm Skinner. 




Bennett L. Tripp, f 


1860. 


David Fonda. 








TOWN CLERKS 




1836- 


-38. John II. Stevens. 


1858. 


Martin P. Olds. 


1839. 


Elijah Thomas. 


1859. 


Carlos Dunham. 


1840-41. Samuel H. Cary. 


1860. 


Hiram Simmons. 


1842- 


-44. Lewis Kingsbury. 


1861- 


62. Luther C. Stone. 


1845- 


-46. Martin Olds. 


1863- 


66. James Campbell. 


1847. 


Smith Dow. 


1867- 


69. Fuller Atchinson. 


1848- 


49. James Murphy. 


1870. 


Marshall D. Bonney.* 


1850- 


51. D. G. Olds. 




Aaron J. Buff ham. t 


1852- 


53. Harrison Cary. 


1871. 


Benjamin F. Rolph. 


1854. 


Martin P. Olds. 


1872-74. George Miller. 


1855. 


Harmon M. Loomis. 


1875- 


76. Admiral Burch. 


1856. 


Martin P. Olds. 


1877. 


Pliny W. Titus. 


1857. 


Carlos Dunham. 


1878. 


Libbeus M. Bowers. 




TOWN TUEASURERS. 


1839- 


41. Shirlock Cook. 


1863. 


Job Eldred.f 


1842. 


Samuel H. Cary. 


1864. 


William Nivison.| 


1843-46. Timothy L. Miller. 




David C. Fonda, f 


1847- 


48. Martin Olds. 


1865. 


David C. Gould. 


1849- 


52. George lloag. 


1866. 


Hiram Simmons. 


1853- 


54. Samuel D. Parker. 


1867. 


George Miller. 


1855. 


James D. Cole. 


1868. 


Marshall D. Bonney. 


1856. 


Samuel D. Parker. 


1869- 


70. George Miller. 


1857. 


Jesse C. Martin. 


1871- 


72. Leroy E. Graves. 


1858. 


Hiram Brink. 


1873. 


Jedediah Wilco.x. 


1859. 


Warren Holcomb. 


1874. 


Admiral Burch. 


1860. 


Saunders Richardson. 


1875. 


Archibald R. Grove. 


1861. 


William M. Tyler. 


1876. 


Homer F. Saunders. 


1862. 


Elijah C. Sterne. 


1877. 


Peter Manguse. 


1863. 


Jacob Daharsh.| 


1878. 


Benjamin S. Wilcox. 




■ JUSTICES OF 


THE PEACE. 


1836. 


Horace Field. 


1848. 


Timothy L. Miller. 




Leonard Taylor. 


1849. 


Smith Dow. 




John Bassett. 


1850. 


Morgan L. Tyler (f. t.). 




Martin Olds. 




Benjamin F. Pond (v.). 


1837. 


Lot Whiteomb. 


1851. 


William L. Parker (f. t.). 


1838. 


Philo Porter. 




Jesse C. Martin (1. v.). 


1839. 


Martin Olds (4 years). 




James Murphy (s. v.). 




Saml. Woodard (3 years). 


1852. 


James Murphy. 




Tim. R. Wallace (2 years). 


1853. 


Smith Dow. 




Elijah Thomas (I year). 


1854. 


William Skinner (f. t.). 


1840. 


Smith Dow (f. t.). 




William Webb (v.). 




Samuel H. Cary (v.). 


1855. 


Daniel Miller (f. t.). 


1841. 


Timothy R. Wallace. 




Samuel V. Barton (v.). 


1842. 


Timothy Larrabee. 


1856. 


William Webb. 


1843. 


David Fonda. 


1857. 


Smith Dow (f. t.). 


1844. 


Smith Dow. 




George G. Gilbert (v.). 


1845. 


Timothy R. Wallace. 


1858. 


William Smith (f. t.). 


1846. 


Timothy Larrabee. 




Isaac Sprague (v.). 


1847. 


Martin Olds. 


1859. 


Northrup Sweet. 


» 


Resigned. f Appoint 


ed. 


J Failed to qualify. 



HISTORY OF BllANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



275 



ISOO. Daniel Miller. 


1 1870. Austin Noycs (f. t.). 


ISOI. Marshall 1). Boiinoy (f.t.). 


Leonard Adams (v.). 


David Fonda (v.). 


1871. John Reynolds. 


1862. No record. 


1872. John B. Imber (f. t.). 


1863. Northrui. Sweet. 


James Wilson (v.). 


18(U. Daniel .Aliller. 


1873. Leonard Adams. 


186s. Leon.ird Adams ( f. t.). 


1874. Sidney Field (f. t.). 


Fuller Atchinson (1. v.). 


David J. Perrin (v.). 


David Fonda (s. v.). 


187.'). John Whitcomb. 


1S66. David Fonda. 


1876. John B. Imber. 


1 867. Delanson .1. Spraguc. 


1877. David .J. Perrin. 


1S6S. Daniel Miller. 


1S7S. Lor. D. Walsivorth (f. t.) 


1869. Leonard .^.dauis. 


Bennett L. Tripp (v.). 


co)iMis.sio.vEits or 


HICIIWAVS. 


1836. Morgan S. Smead. 


1847. Xath. Woodard (1 year). 


Shirlock Cook. 


1848. Natlianicl Woodard. 


Ama.»a W. Miller. 


1849. Jesse C. Martin. 


1837. Samuel Fairbanks. 


1850. William L. Parker. 


Abel Olds. 


1851. Smith Dow. 


Augustus Miller. 


1852. Jesse C. Martin. 


1838. Leonard Taylor. 


1853. Archibald Hanks. 


Joel Woodard. 


1854. Smith Dow. 


John Reynolds. 


1855. Jacob Reynolds. 


1839. John Bassett. 


1856. Archibald Uanks. 


Martin Olds. 


1857. Isaac Sprague. 


Abel Olds. 


1858. Northrup Sweet. 


1840. Albert Dudley. 


1859. Hiram Barrett. 


Joel Woodard. 


1860. Isaac Sprague. 


Thomas Davis. 


1801. Uiram Brink. 


1841. Hiram Brink. 


1862. No record. 


Thomas Davis. 


1803. David C. Fonda. 


David Fonda. 


1864. Hiram Brink (f. t.). 


1842. Morgan L. Tyler. 


Ira Martin (v.). 


Abel Olds. 


1865. Daniel Miller. 


Samuel Woodard. 


1866. John C. Thayer. 


1843. Leonard Taylor. 


1867. William R. Card. 


William L. Parker. 


1868. David C. Fcmda. 


Lewis Kingsbury. 


1869. John C. Thayer. 


1844. William L. Parker. 


1870. William R. Card (f. t.). 


Samuel 11. Cary. 


Edward P. G.ates (v.). 


Thomas Davia. 


1871. Elijah Grove. 


1845. Peter Grove. 


1872. John C. Thayer. 


Nathaniel AVoodard. 


1873. H. F. Buffham. 


Isaac Spraguc. 


1874. Ransom W. Covey. 


1846. Jesse C. Martin. 


1875. John Martin. 


William L. Parker. 


1876. Nelson U. Saunders. 


Ira Thurston. 


1877. William R. Card. 


1847. Wm. L. Parker (3 years). 


1878. AloDzo Olmstead. 


Jesse C. Martin (2 years). 




ASSES 


iOns. 


1836. Samuel Woodard. 


1844. Evan" Davis. 


Leonard Taylor. 


David Fonda. 


Abel Olds. 


1845. Joel Wooilard. 


1837-38. No record. 


Evan Davis. 


1839. John Bassett. 


1846. Daniel Spraguc. 


Samuel Fairbanks. 


David Fonda. 


Charles W. Weathorby. 


1847. No record. 


1840. Evan Davis. 


1S48. Morgan L. Tyler. 


Samuel Woodard. 


John H. Stevens. 


Martin Olds. 


1849. Morgan L. Tyler. 


1841. Joel Woodard. 


Daniel Miller. 


Samuel Woodard. 


1850. David Fonda. 


Evan Davis. 


II. N. Hubbard. 


1842. No record. 


1851. Morgan L. Tyler. 


1843. Samuel Woodard. 


Benjamin F. Pond. 


Elijah Thomas. 


1852. Archibald Hanks. 


Peter Grove. 


James Murphy. 


COI.I.EC 


TORS. 



1836. Timothy R. Wallace. 

1837. Timothy L. Miller. 

1838. Ira P. Strong. 



1839. Hiram Iladlcy. 

1840-41. Com'dore P. Woodard. 



0VEHSEE11S OF THE I'OOil. 



1840. 



1811 



1842. 



1836. Abel Olds. 
Moses Olmstead. 

1837. Jabez. Bron.><on. 
Benjamin Olmstead. 

1838. No record. 

1839. (Jeorge Hoag. 
Benjamin Olmstead. 
.^hirlock Cook. 
Benjamin Olmstead. 
Leonartl Taylor. 
Abel Olds. 
Joel AV^jodard. 
Abel Olds. 

1843. George Iloag. 

Abel Olds. 
1844-49. Benjamin Olmstead. 
1844-50. George Hoag. 



1836. John M. Chapin. 
.Tohn Bassett. 
Moses Olmstead. 
■38. No record. 
Samuel H. Cary. 
Lewis Kingsbury. 
Smith Dow. 
Lewis Kingsbury. 
Smith Dow. 
Philo Porter. 
42. Samuel H. Cary. 
Lewis Kingsbury. 
Philo Porter. 
Evan Davis. 
Smith Dow. 
Timothy Miller. 
Philo Porter. 
Smith Dow. 
Philo Porter. 
David Thompson. 
Timothy Larrabee. 
Philemon S. Field. 
Philo Porter. 
Philemon S. Field (f. t.). 
David J. Perrin (v.). 
David J. Perrin. 



1837- 
1839. 



1840. 



1841 



isi;!. 



1844. 
1S45. 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 
1851. 

1852. 



1850 


I. W. Howd. 


1851 


-52. William AVcbb. 




George Hoag. 


1853 


Leonard Taylor. 




William Webb. 


1854 


Jesse C. Martin. 




Morgan L. Tyler. 


1855 


John Reynolds. 




William P. Morey. 


1850 


Isaac Spraguc. 




.John Bowers. 


1857 


John Reynolds. 




Benjamin Buell. 


1858 


David Fonda. 




John Reynolds. 


1859 


Job Eldrcd. 




John Reynolds. 


vsi'Eiroits. 


1853. 


Ilcrninn M. Loomis. 


1854. 


William Skinner. 


1855. 


Carlos Dunham (f. t.). 




Philander H. Spraguc (v] 


1856. 


Loren R. Austin. 


1857. 


No record. 


1858. 


Philander H. Sprague. 


1859. 


John R. Bonnoy, 


I860. 


Carlos Dunham. 


1801. 


Loren R. Austin. 


1862. 


No record. 


1863. 


Fuller Atchinson. 


1864. 


John R. Bonncy. 


1865. 


David H. Crittenden. 


1866. 


John R. Bonncy. 


1867. 


Aaron J. Buffluim. 


1868. 


John R. Bonncy. 


1869. 


Lorenzo D. Walsworth. 


1870. 


H. F. Buffham. 


1871. 


Nelson H. Saunders (f. t.) 




Charles B. Noycs (v.). 


1872. 


William M. Tyler. 


1873. 


Nelson H. Saunders. 


1874- 


76. Pliny W. Titus. 


1877. 


Bennett L. Tripp. 


IS78. 


Philo Porter. 



SCHOOL SUPERI.N'TENDEN'TS. 

1875. Loren R. Austin. i 1878. Pliny W. Titus. 

1876-77. Orrin A. Vantlcrbilt. I 



IIHAIN COMMISSIONERS. 

1871. Calvin Burrows (appt'd). 

1872. William S. Card. 

1873. Leonard Taylor, Jr. 

1874. Avery S. Prout. 



1875. George Whitcomb (res.) 

John Bowers (appt'd). 
1870-77. Avory S. Prout. 
1878. Admiral Burch. 



CONSTABLES. 

Timothy R. Wallace, James L. Voung, Ira GiB'ord, George D. Bab- 
bitt, 1836; Iliram Hadley, 1839, '40; Nathaniel Woodard, 1839; 
Commodore P. Woodard, 1839-42; Hiram C. Welch, 1840, '41, 
'51; Albert Burgess, 1841; Evan Davis, 1842, '43; Matthias 
Woudruir, 1842; Kphraim Case, Benjamin H. Parker, 1843; A. 
W. Miller, L. Warner, Peter Grove, 1844; George Hoag, 1844- 
52; Samuel D. Parker, 1845, '46, '53, '54, '56; D. Wilco.'s, 1845; 
Job Eldred, 1845, '46, '55, '57, '64; John Reynolds, 1840; John 
Bassett, 1847; Lewis Wilcox, 1847, '48, '52, '54, '56; Darwin Q. 
Olds, 1847, '48; Horace Wilkinson, 1848, '49, '53; John Si>raguc, 
William Smith, 1849; Martin P. Olds, 1850-52; John C. Thayer, 
1850, '58-00; Marshall Miller, 1850; Ira JIartin, IS5I ; James 
Martin, 1852, '53; Nicholas Van Alstine, 1853, '59; Philo Mar- 
tin, George Purdy, 1854; James D. Cole, M. C. Powers, C. C. 
Brown, 1855; Jacob Daharsh, James S. Mills, 1856; Wm. Rey- 
nolds, 1857, '60 ; Peter Manguse, George Clark. lf>'-'7 ; William M. 



276 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Tyler, 1858, '67, 70; Hiram Brink, 1S5S; Hiram Raymond, 
1859; Joseph R. Harris; 1860; Isaac C. Bair, 1S61, 'OS; John 
Skinner, Lucius Hibbard, 1861 ; Lyman Grove, 1863 ; Charles C. 
Lippincntt, 1863, '64; Leonard Taylor, 1863, 76; Elijah Grove, 
Jr., 186t, '68, '77; Alonzo Olmstcad, 1864, '76, '77; Truman Ter- 
rill, Hiram Simmons, David C. Gould, 1865; George Miller, 1807, 
'69; Ezra Bair, 1867, '74, '75; Silas F. Wilkinson, 1867; Mar- 
shall D. Bonney, Henry H. Halleck, 1868; Allen C.Andrews, 
1869, '70, '72;' Martin Castle, Ira Holdridge, 1869; Alphonso 
Tyler, Sylvester D. Bailey, 1870; Mahlon W. Brown, 1871; Ed- 
ward D. Smith, 1871-73; Bronson Hawlcy, 1871, '76; Alfred 
Williams, 1871; Leroy E. Graves, John I. Martin, 1872; Nelson 
E. Willis, Jodediah Wilcox, William Wilcox, 1873; Aaron J. 
Bnffhani, Petor Pitcher, Philo Porter, 1874; Daniel W. Bates, 
Edwin Fox, 1875; Archibald 11. Grove, 1875, '78; Homer F. 
Saunders, 1876; Lewis Pierce, Simeon Culver, 1877; Alanson 
Miller, Peter Spraguc, Mason Shenncman, 1878. 
No record exists of the const:ibles elected in 1837, 1838, 1862, and 
1866. 

The bounty on wolves was increased to $5 per head in 
18:Jt), to $10 in 1840, and to $25 in 1841. This rapid 
increase was owing to the fact that the settlers were then 
introducing sheep-liusbuiidry as a branch of their business, 
and, as the flocks increased in size and number, the wolves 
were enabled to do much greater damage, so that it became 
necessary to exterminate them. 

May 13, 1841, the assessors met and made out the 
following jury-list to serve at the sessions of the Circuit 
Court, viz. : " Isaac Spra£;ue, Timothy Larrabee, Smith 
Dow, Esq., Leonard Taylor, Esq., grand jurors; Martin 
Olds, Esq., Elijah Thomas, E.sq., Timothy 11. Wallace, 
Esq., William Webb, Esq., petit jurors." 

In 1842 the town granted licenses to keep taverns, and 
of course to sell liquors, to Samuel Keyes, A. G. Moore, 
and Samuel H. Gary; and again, in 1844, to William 
Reynolds and Samuel H. Cary. A vote was taken at the 
town-meeting, April 7, 1845, on the questions of licensing 
the sale of liquor and of building a jail. The vote stood, 
for license, 65 ; against license, 6 ; for a jail, 27 ; against a 
jail, 59 ; thus showing conclusively that the people either 
held very crude notions regarding the relations of dram- 
drinking and crime, or desired that there should be no re- 
straint of per.sonal liberty on account of offences against 
good order and the laws. 

In its political status the town was for many years 
strongly Democratic. Indeed it w;rs exceedingly difficult 
for a candidate of any other political organization to be 
elected to office previous to the organization of the Know- 
Nothing or American party in 1854-55. The first re- 
corded vote at a general election was in November, 1839, 
when the Democratic candidate for governor received 47 
votes, and the Whig candidate received but 6. In the 
year above mentioned the opposition to the Democratic 
party resolved to form an organiz;ition to overthrow it, and 
a Know-Nothing club was formed in the south part of the 
town, which held its meetings at the house of Jixcob Rey- 
nolds, and also at the " Cary" tavern, then kept by John 
Acker. The membership was quite large and widely dis- 
tributed throughout the town. It formed a nucleus about 
which the entire opposition to the dominant party crystal- 
lized, and, at tlie town-meeting of 1855, swept the town, 
and elected David Fonda as supervisor. It also carried 
the town at one general election. In 1856 a sort of reac- 



tion set in, and the Democrats were once more victorious. 
But now the Republican party sprang into existence, and 
received large accessions from the Know-Nothings. It at 
once assumed political control of the town, and maintained 
it until the National party was organized. Since the spring 
of 1878 that party luis had a majority of from 50 to 80 
votes. 

The first religious meetings in Batavia were held about 
the summer of 1836. Elder Parker, who lived near the 
town line in Coldwater, held preaching services in the 
school-house in what is now district No. 8, and almost 
simultaneou.sly. Rev. George Sh;iy and Rev. Israel Millard 
held services in different private houses in the south part 
of the town. As a result, two Methodist Episcopal classes 
were formed, with Jesse Brooks and Benjamin Olmstead as 
class-le;iders in their respective localities. Meetings were 
kept up in the school-houses for several years, — in the east 
part till about 1869, and in the south part till 1856-60, — 
the ministers being supplied from neighboring circuits, 
principally the Girard circuit. Another Methodist Epis- 
copal class was formed at Batavia Centre, in the fall or 
winter of 1876, by Rev. A. EldreJ. It consisted of 10 
members, and Fhilo Porter was appointed class-leader. 
At present the class numbers 1 1 members, and the preach- 
ing is supplied from the Bronson Church, Rev. J. Clubine 

being the present pastor. Revs. D. S. Ide, George, 

■ Gage, and ■ Bonney preached here previous to 

the regular organization. In the north part of the town 
there is a large number of members of this denomination 
who belong to the North Batavia class, whose church is 
located in the town of Union. This class numbers about 
50 members, and in 1873 erected their very fine brick 
edifice at a co.st of about §7000. 

The only other denomination that has entered upon this 
field is the Wesleyan Methodists, who formed a class about 
1858-59 in the south part of the town. It was organized 
by Rev. S. B. Smith, and Daniel Olmstead was the first 
class-leader. They kept up regular meetings once in two 
weeks, at the brick school-house near the station, until 
1877, when, by the removal and death of many of its 
members, the class became so reduced in numbers as to bj 
no longer able to sustain preaching, and was disbanded. 
The society was incorporated about 1867, and intended to 
erect a church, but having some trouble about securing a 
suitable site, no church was built. The pastors of this 
church were generally hired in connection with other 
churches of the denomination in this vicinity. Among 

them were Revs. S. B. Smith, Albert Olmstead, 

Wheelock, Ro.ss, J. K. Welhnan, — ■ — - Pryor, 

Pixley, Joseph Hague, Joseph Selleck. 

The Sabbath-school work begun very early, and schools 
were organized at every school house as fast they were 
built. Among the earliest was the one connected with the 
Methodist Episcopal class in district No. 8, of which Jesse 
Brooks was the first superintendent. Many of the schools 
were organized through the efl'orts of Deacon Upson, of 
Coldwater, who was very active in that work. For several 
years the several schools of the town were in the habit of 
holding an annual picnic together, and out of this grew a 
town Sunday-school association, which was organized about 



^ 




MAJOR TUTTLE. 




MRS. M TUTTLE. 




PHILO PORTER. 



rhotos. by KinilriiiirU, Coldwiiter. 



<t;Cr.^ 





HENRY MILLER. 



MRS. HENRY MILLER. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



277 



ten years a<io, and of which Philo Porter was president for 
several yeai-s. Its annual meetings are still held regularly, 
but the monthly meetings have boon abandoned since 
1875-7G. 

The order of Patrons of Husbandry had one society in 
this town. It was called 

B.\T.\VIA ailANQE, NO. 95, P. OP H. 

It was instituted at the house of James Taylor, in Octo- 
ber, 1S73, with 47 charter members. The first officers 
were Pliilo Porter, ,M;ister ; M. H. Brown, Overseer; Loren 
11. Austin, Lecturer; L. M. Bowers, Steward ; E. 11. Clum, 

Assistant Steward ; Card, Chaplain ; James Murphy, 

Treas. ; C. H. Austin, Sec. ; Mrs. Eunice Austin, Ceres ; 
Mrs. J. Sheuueman, Pomona; Miss Oiia Murphy, Flora; 
Mrs. Emma Clum, Stewardess. 

The grange held its meetings at the hall of Mr. Bor- 
diue's house, and was very prosjierous for abo\it three years, 
after which time the interest began to decline, and con- 
tinued to do so till the charter was surrendered during the 
present winter (^1878-7^). At one time the membership 
was 113. 

During the war of the liebelliou this town, like its sister 
towns throughout the land, gave liberally of its citizens and 
treasure to sustain the Union cause. A list of its soldiers 
will be found in another part of this work. The ladies 
of the town, too, took a very active part by furnishing 
supplies of clothing, and similar articles for the use of 
the soldiers, which contributed largely to their comfort. 
The first war-meeting in Branch County was held at the 
Union school-hou.se in this town soon after the fall of Fort 
Sumter, in April, 18G1. It was peculiar, and deserves 
particular notice from the fact that it was called and con- 
ducted under the auspices of the Democratic party of the 
town. L. R. Austin took the initial move, and rode 
through the town notifying the inhabitants of the proposed 
meeting. At the time set, a large and enthusiastic gather- 
ing was assembled at the place of meeting, and were ad- 
dressed by General J. G. Parkhurst, Hon. George A. Coe, 
Dr. 1. P. Alger, and others. The excitement was intense, 
and the patriotic spirit manifested argued well for the 
patriotism and devotion to the Union cause of the citizens 
of Batavia. Quite a number of enlistments were made, 
among them being Joseph Harris, Asa Covey, and the two 
Knappins. 

Many of the brave boys who wont into the army did not 
escape scotfree, but either left their bodies lying on the 
sanguinary field of battle, or returned to their homes maimed 
and disfigured by wounds, broken down by the ravages of 
disease, or wasted to skeletons by the horrors and starva- 
tion endured in the " prison-pen," those damning blots 
upon the escutcheon of the South, who.se memories will 
never "down at its bidding," but will rise continually in 
its path, like Banquo's ghost, reminding of the cruelty and 
iniiumanity of the past. We have not the means at hand 
to enable us to give a list of the heroes furnished by this 
town, but mention a few of them. Hiram C. Sweet was 
killed at Gettysburg, and William L. Parker at Resaca, 
Ga. Two Knappins and two sons of M. L. Tyler died in 
the service. Leroy E. Graves, Charles Webb, William R. 



Card, 



Fonda, and 



Dunham were wounded in 



action. Ezra Bair, the only drafted man who entered the 
service, was present at the capture of Jefl'erson Davis. 
Upon his return home the town voted to pay him a bounty 
of SI 00 for his military services, to place him upon an 
e()uality with all other soldiers credited to the town, and 
who received a similar bounty. 

With this wo bring to a close our brief sketch of Batavia, 
satisfied if we have been able to put into a preservable 
shape something that may prove of benefit to any of its 
residents or their descendants. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



HENRY MILLER. 

George iMiller, father of Henry Miller, was born in Penn- 
sylvania about the year 17G9, and died in Portage Co., 
Ohio, March, 1839. He was married to Miss Elizabeth 
Barber. By this union was born a family of eleven chil- 
dren, five sons and six daughters, — Jacob, Polly, Sally, 
Susan, Henry, Samuel, Catharine, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Gid- 
eon, and George, — all deceased except Henry and Samuel. 
Mrs. Elizabeth Miller died in Portage Co., Ohio, Oct. 9, 
1856, aged .seventy-six years. 

Henry Miller was born in 1813 in Lancaster Co., Pa. 
He came with his parents at an early age to Trumbull Co., 
Ohio. He resided there until he reached the age of fifteen, 
when his parents again removed to Portage Co., Ohio, and 
resided there until the death of his father. He then pur- 
chased the old homestead, which he afterward sold and re- 
moved with his family to Branch Co., Mich., about the year 
1860. He married Rachel, daughter of Frederick and 
Rachel Caris, the 22d of September, 1839. A family of 
eight children blessed the union, — George, Mary, Lauretta, 
Henry S., Joel F., Laura, Dorcas V., and Hiram W., — all 
living except Joel and Laura. Joel was killed in Texas by 
a man in whom he reposed confidence as a friend. He was 
buried at Paris, Texas. 

Mr. Miller has always followed the occupation of a farmer, 
and has by his industry succeeded in obtaining a compe- 
tency sufficient to place him in ca.sy circumstances, and is 
surrounded by the surviving members of his family. He 
has always been a staunch Republican in politics. On an- 
other page are the portraits of himself and wife. 



PHILO PORTER. 

Philo Porter was born in the town of Attica, Genesee 
Co., N. Y., April 26, 1813, and lived with his father in 
that town until about his thirteenth year. His father then 
moved to the town of Alexander, and March 17, 1836, 
Philo was married to Martha, daughter of Simeon and 
Aelisah Hosmer, of the town of Byron. -May 9 they 
started with an ox-team for Batavia, Branch Co., Mich., 
where in November previous young Porter had purchased 
of the government one hundred and twenty acres of land. 
Mr. Porter thus relates their experience : 



278 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



" We reached our destination May 17. Now commenced 
the realities of settling a new country five hundred miles 
from any person with whom we were acquainted. We 
commenced to paddle our own canoe, with nothing partic- 
ular to mar our prospects until June 17, 1837, when my 
wife died and was buried in the town of Batavia. 

" I was married again, March 26, 1838, to Marietta, 
daughter of Timothy and Harriet Miller. She died Jan. 
6, 1839. I was married a third time to Mrs. Elizabeth 
Wheeler. We have raised a family of five children, — three 
daughters and two sons, — all of whom are married. 

"April, 1838, I was elected a justice of the peace in 
said town. In 1844, 1845, 1846, and 1847 I was elected 
supervisor. In November, 1850, I was elected sheriif of 
Branch County, and re-elected in 1852. My first vote was 
cast for Andrew Jackson at his second election. I was 
identified with the Democratic party up to 1876, and am 



now supporting the measures of the party that believe a 
greenback dollar is as good as a gold or silver dollar, and a 
little more convenient. 

" At the breaking out of the Rebellion I was a war 
Democrat, and assisted to the extent of my ability in main- 
taining the Union. 

" Last, but not least, when about fifty years old I made 
a profession of religion as a member of the Methodist Epis-" 
copal Clmrch of Batavia. My sympathies have been greatly 
with the Sunday-school cause, where I have labored as su- 
perintendent for the last sixteen years; and now, at the age 
of sixty-six years, I say to my co-laborers in the Sunday- 
school, to brothers and sisters in the church, and to the 
friends whose kindness and tokens of respect I highly ap- 
preciate, if my eff'orts have been acceptable to you and 
pleasing to my Heavenly Father, the height of my ambition 
has been attained." 



BETHEL. 



The township of Bethel was a wilderness till the year 
1830, when the first white man began the work of reclaim- 
ing the land from its wild state and bringing it under cul- 
tivation. The only public improvement in the town was 
the Chicago turnpike, which had been laid out and opened 
by the government to facilitate travel from the East to the 
great, and at that time wholly undeveloped, West, which 
has risen in one generation to high rank among the differ- 
ent sections of our glorious Union. This road, then but a 
mere trail through the woods, entered Bethel at the north- 
east corner of section 5, and ran a crooked course to near 
the middle of the west line of section 7, where it passed 
into the town of Bronson. Along this highway the tide of 
emigration swept on its westward course, marking its Hue 
of progress by an occasional cabin, where some emigrant, 
pleased with the looks of the country, or weary of the toil 
and privations of the slow and tedious journey, had left the 
company of his fellow-travelers and commenced a home in 
the forest or on the openings. The burr-oak openings, of 
which there was a considerable area in this town, were, to 
the eyes of these weary travelers, a welcome sight ; a pleasant 
and delightful Arcadia; or, to use a phrase which they 
very commonly used to describe them, " the most beautiful 
country the sun ever shone upon." Mingled with dense 
forests, in which wild game of all descriptions was found in 
great abundance, with small lakes of cool, pure, and limpid 
water, in which myriads of fishes of various kinds di.sported 
themselves in playful gambols, or darted swiftly in pursuit 
of the smaller fry that served for their food, with the beds 
of many crystal-clear, rippling, babbling brooks crossing its 

® Prepared by C. W. Brown. 



surface in divers directions, and with a great variety of wild 
fruits and nuts to furnisli palatable food for man and beast, 
it surely was a country possessing many attractive qualities, 
and offered many advantages as inducements for the emi- 
grants to make for themselves and their descendants homes 
amid such beautiful surroundings. And these advantages, 
and these pleasant scenes, did not display their worth and 
beauty in vain, for, at an early date, the most desirable 
lands began to be occupied, and, as soon as the lands were 
placed in the market by the government, were rapidly 
taken up by the incoming pioneers. The first bit of turf 
turned over by a white tiller of the soil was located a little 
north of the centre of the town, on a very lightly timbered 
burr-oak opening, so nearly devoid of trees that it was 
called a prairie, and was first brought under cultivation in 
the summer of 1830. 

The man who thus became the first inhabitant of this 
town was Eleazer Snow. He was a former resident of 
some part of New England, and had a wife and family 
there. For some reason best known to himself, perhaps 
through a restless desire for change, which seems to have 
been a characteristic of his life, or possibly because he had 
drunk to satiety of the cup of matrimonial bliss and family 
joy, he had determined to shake off the ties that bound 
him, and came to the Western wilds, leaving his wife and 
children in their Eastern home to mourn or rejoice over his 
departure, as the circumstances of the case might warrant 
them in doing. He came to Bronson's Prairie and made 
his home with Jeremiah Tillotson, who was then keeping 
a tavern there. He was a man who took particular delight 
in hunting and trapping, and, looking about for a place to 
grow some corn and potatoes, he found this small piece of 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



279 



open land above referred to, and set about getting it broken 
u|i ami planted. This piece of land wa.s near tlie north- 
wo-st corner of section III, and lie subsequently built a log 
hut, about 12 feet square, on it, and lived there by him- 
self for a time. From him the locality received the name 
uf " Snow Prairie," and ha.s ever since retained it. In the 
fall of 18S1, Snow sold his claims and improvements to 
Moses Oliiistcad, a native of New Knirland, who had been 
a resident of Oakland County, in tlii.s Slate, for a few years 
previous to his removal here. For a while this family 
seems to have been the only one living in the town, but 
after a little, others began to settle, and in a few years there 
were a number of families residing in different parts of the 
township. The names of the.se settlers, given as nearly as 
may be in the order of their settlement, with the date of 
their arrival (where it has been ascertained) following the 
name in each case, are as follows, viz. : 

Kleazcr Snow, spring of 1830; Moses Olmstead, fall 
of 1881 ; the Youngs family and Isaac Fiecuian in 1834, 
— the latter in the fall ; Albert Dudley, Milton Beesmer, 
John J. Ricliard,«on, Moses Paine, and David M. Clark in 
1835, — the two former in the spring; Daniel Smead, Mor- 
gan L. Smead, Lyman Smead, Lauriston Smead, Kbenezor 
Green, Amos Green, Silas S. Green, in the spring ; James 
HcMiiio ill June, and Mrs. iMargaret McMillan, her sons 
Stephen and James, and her daughter Margaret, Philander 
Olds, Heman Lake, Thomas Judson, Lyman Seymour, 
Tinidthy Colby, Otis Davis, Caleb N. Bates, Peleg Bates, 
Ilirani G. Wiser, Origin Bingham, and Adam Bower in 
the fall of 1836; Lemuel Bingham and Matthew H. 
Bingluini in the winter or .spring, Ebcnczcr IMc^Iillan in 
Jaiui.iry, William Heed, David Cuminings, and James 
Tliuiston in the spring of 1837; Uriah Mallory, Levi 
Thompson, and Charles M. Gallap in 1838, — the latter in 
the fall ; Walter Iloe in the fall of 1S3'J ; Willard Cranson 
in 1840 ; William Bradway, George Gallap, and James 
Gallap in 184li ; Roswell Larabee in 1844 ; John Wiser in 
1847 ; and William T. Animerman in 1853. 

Of course this list does not include the names of all the 
settlere in each year, but for the first few years of the 
settlement it has been our aim to make the list as full and 
complete as possible. 

Of the first settler, Eleazer Snow, we can say that he 
was a very restless individual, and was constantly changing 
his location. Upon selling his property in Bethel to Mr. 
Olmstead he purchased 80 acres of land in St. Joseph 
County, and lived there until the breaking out of the Black 
Hawk war, in 1832, when he became frightened and went 
as far east as the State of New York, having previously dis- 
posed "of his land for two yokes of stags and an old Pennsyl- 
vania wagon. Upon the return of peace and good order he 
returned, and repurchased the land ho had parted with at 
such a low price. Subseipiently, he owned for a time the 
land upon which the village of Burr Oak now stands, but 
under the imjiuLse of his desire for change, di.sposcd of it, 
and entered upon a wider range of travel. He first went 
to Iowa, from there to the hills of Arkansas, and some 
years later returned from that State to his old home in 
Branch County, ]ioor, dccrepid, and infirm from the efl'ects 
of age and the hardships he had been called upon to 



endure. A short time after, he once more left this part of 
the country and went to Minnesota, since which time 
nothing has been heard from him. He was, at the time 
of his settlement liere, apparently between forty and fifty 
years of age. Tall and spare in build, with sloping shoul- 
ders, tightly-compressed lips, and deep-set, black eyes, which 
furtively glanced at one from underneath his shaggy brows 
and always evaded the gaze of tho.se he chanced to meet, 
his appearance was, on the whole, singular, disagreeable, 
and almost repulsive. His life was mainly devoted to 
hunting and trapping, the solitude; and seclusion of tlic 
forest seeming best to accord with his taciturn, morose, and 
hermit-like disposition. While in this locality the principal 
scene of his operations was along the course of the Prairie 
llivcr, sometimes called " Ilog Creek." 

Moses Olmstead, who purchased Snow's improvements, 
came originally from some of the Eastern States, quite 
probably from New Jersey, and settled in Oakland County, 
in Michigan, at an early day. From that county he came 
here, late in the fall of 1831, with his wife, his sons, — 
Moses, Jr., Philip, Gideon, and Lyman, — and his daughters, 
— Abby, Eliza, and Hannah. They moved into the log hut 
built by Snow, and built another hut of rails, covered with 
hay, in which the men I'lmiid a lodging-place while the 
women occupied the log hut. In this manner the fir.st 
winter was passed, and then a larger and more eonvenieiit 
house was built for the accommodation of the family. 
Moses Olmstead was a thorough-going man, resolute and 
energetic, and carried these qualities into his farming opera- 
tions. By rea.son of this he rapidly brought his farm into 
splendid condition, and his stock was always noted for the 
sleek and well-fed look that characterized it. He erected 
the first frame building in the township. It was a large 
and commodious barn, built in 1834-35. He was prom- 
inently connected with the work of organizing the town, 
but died soon after the first town-meeting, in the spring or 
summer of 1837. His wife died about a year later. Of 
his children, Gideon died about two or three years after the 
family settled here. His was in all probability the first 
death of a white person in this town. Lyman Olmstead 
was married to Sarah Ann Cummings, and this wedding 
was, so far as now known, the first one occurring in the 
town.sliip. The necessary license was procured of the town 
clerk, David M. Clark, on the 25th of April, 1837, and 
the ceieniony was performed at the residence of the bride's 
father, David Cummings, on the present Vanal.stine place, 
by David M. Clark, Esq. (who bore the dual official char- 
acter of town clerk and justice of the peace "l, on the 30th 
day of the same month. The bridegroom was nineteen 
years old and the bride was fifteen. The party, made up 
of the families of the bride and groom and a few invited 
guests, numbered thirty persons, of whom only two are 
now living. These two are the bride — now Mrs. Gideon 
Lease, of Bethel — and Solomon Smith, of Gilead. Lyman 
Olmstead died in this town in October, 18G4. Closes 
Olmstead, Jr., removed to Mis.souri many years ago, and 
died there in 1872. Philip Olmstead at about the same 
time removed to Utah, and is still living there. Moses 
Olmstead's three daughters all died in Bethel. 

The Youngs family consisted of a mother and five sods, 



280 



HISTORy OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



— James, John, Benjamin, David, and Soth. The mother 
and the three sons first named came from some part of 
Indiana and squatted on Snow Prairie in 1834. They 
built a small cabin there, and the men spent their time in 
the woods and alonj:; the banks of the streams and lakes, 
hunting, trapping, and fishuig. The other sons came to 
this town about five or six 3-ears later. None of them 
remained here any great length of time. They were good 
citizens, but not at all active in the work of bringing the 
wild lands of Michigan into their present fine state of cul- 
tivation. The mother, it is thought, died while they lived 
here. James was a married man, and after remaining here 
a few years returned to Indiana. The rest also removed to 
diiferent parts, David returning to Indiana. Benjamin died 
in the town of Bronson a few years since, and Seth is still 
living in that town. 

Isaac Freeman started from the town of Clay, Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1834, on his way to this State, 
where he had, in June of that year, entered a quarter-sec- 
tion of timbered land in the Bean Creek Valley, in Lenawee 
County. The party consisted of Mr. Freeman and wife, 
and their family of eight children ; his mother-in-law, Mrs. 
Marsh, and her sons and daughter, — Ebenezer, Daniel, 
Wallace, John, and Polly ; and Wallace Marsh's wife and 
two or three children. The route traveled was over the 
Erie Canal, and up Lake Erie to Detroit. There Mr. Free- 
man hired a team of horses and a wagon to convey his 
family and goods to Ypsilanti, expecting to go south from 
that place to his land in Lenawee County. He there met 
a man living at Jack,son Prairie, Ind., who, learning of his 
intention, told him it would be folly to go into the timbered 
lands with his family, to suffer the necessary hardships and 
privations that must come before the land could be cleared 
and made to produce anything, when, by going a few miles 
farther west, till he reached the burr-oak region, he might 
have his choice of the fairest lands the eye of man ever 
looked upon, where the soil was all ready for the plow, and 
where sufficient crops could be raised the first season to 
furnish subsistence for the family. Being influenced by 
these statements, he left the family at Ypsilanti, came on to 
Bronson, and from there went south along the road leading 
from Bronson to Jackson Prairie. His most sanguine ex- 
pectations were fully realized by the looks of the opening, 
and he immediately returned to Ypsilanti for his family. 

The Marshes had come on with him, intending to settle 
in Indiana, their goods being brought by two ox-teams, one 
of them belonging to the man from Jackson Prairie. These 
two teams Mr. Freeman engaged to go and bring his house- 
hold and effects, and the journey to Ypsilanti and back was 
made without adventure or mishap. They reached their 
destination November 1, and moved with the JIarshcs into 
a vacant house they found on section 5, in Gilead, about 
one-half mile south of the town line. There was another 
vacant house in the vicinity, which was left in charge of 
Bishop Chase. Mr. Freeman tried to hire this house for 
the winter, but the bishop, who, it would seem, was some- 
what given to proselyting, made it a condition of the lease 
that the tenant should — as he' phrased it — "read service 
with him." Freeman retorted that, " he never had been a 
slave to any man, and he would be plagued if he would be 



now," and the bargain fell through. For five or six weeks 
the cabin occupied by Mr. Freeman and the Marshes pre- 
sented something like the appearance usually credited to 
the tenement-houses of the great cities of the world. It 
swarmed with Ufe, for Imenty persons would fill to over- 
flowing a much larger mansion than the first settlers of 
this country usually indulged in. Mr. Freeman selected a 
site on the Bronson road, in section 30, and immediately 
began building a cabin, which was completed sufficiently to 
allow of the family's moving into it in December. In that 
winter he purchased the northwest quarter of the northwest 
quarter of section 5, in Gilead, and the southwest quarter 
of the southwest quarter of section 32, in Bethel, of a man 
who had previously entered the land. He gave him §150 
for the 80 acres. In June he entered 40 acres adjoining 
it on the north, and a year later traded his Lenawee County 
land for the 80 acres on which he had built his house, which 
had been entered, meantime, by another person. Mr. Free- 
man lived in this town about two years, and then moved on 
to his land in Gilead. Some seventeen years ago he removed 
to the town of Quincy, and died there in March, 1870. 
Two of his children are now residing in this county, — Cor- 
nelius, in Bethel, and Sirs. Hannah Adams, in Coldwater. 
Another son, John, who was a respected citizen of this town, 
died in 1877, from the effects of a kick from a horse. Five 
of the ten children are still living in different parts of the 
country. 

Albert Dudley lived on section 8, near the place where 
the highway crosses Swan Creek, and the bridge across the 
creek has always been called Dudley's Bridge on that account. 
He removed to the adjoining town of Batavia, and kept the 
public-house known as the Dudley stand for several years. 

David i\I. Clark was one of the most peculiar men of 
the town, and was also one of its most prominent citizens. 
Being a man of fair educational attainments, he was thereby 
fitted for the posts he held among them : being school- 
teacher, clerk, magistrate, and surveyor. By nature he was 
quick-tempered, imperious, and irascible, and many stories 
are told of him that illustrate these traits of his character. 
Among them the following : a man named Isaac Adams 
purchased a farm in Indiana, and hired Clark to survey it 
for him. Some time afterwards Adams and Clark haj)- 
pened to meet at the York House, where Samuel H. Cary 
was then keeping tavern. Adams, in the course of the 
conversation that ensued, said to Clark, in a bantering 
tone, — 

" Well, Clark, do you remember the time I saved your 
life?" 

" No," said Clark. " When and where was it ? I should 
like to know." 

" Why," said Adams, " it was the time you came down 
to Indiana to survey my farm for me. Don't you recollect 
it now?" 

" Oh, yes," said the unsuspicious surveyor, " I remember 
that perfectly well ; but what has that to do with your 
,saving my life?" 

" Why, can it be possible," replied the incorrigible joker, 
as he cast a sly look over his interested audience, and 
winked to some of his cronies, "can it be possible that you 
have forgotten how you, with all your compasses and other 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



281 



apparatus, got lost in the woods, and would liavo starved 
to dcatti if I hadn't piloted you out?' 

Tlic crowd burst into a loud laugh at this original sally, 
which so irritated Clark that he seized a billet of wood from 
the wood-box, and rushed at his tormentor, intent upon 
sudden vengeance. (!ary sprang from behind the bar, and 
interfered in time to prevent a collisiun, and the coniiuotiou 
was soon quieted down. 

Mr. Clark came from Grosse Isle, near Detroit, and was 
the county surveyor for several years. Ho did a great deal 
of surveying for the inhabitants of this region during his 
life-time. The land he entered was on the northwest quarter 
of section 7, and there he lived, died, and was buried. 

Milton Becsmcr settled on the east half of the northeast 
quarter of section 16. It being .school-land he could not 
enter it, but had to wait till the lands were offered fur sale 
before getting a title. He built a small log house on it 
and lived there till his death, which occurred sonic ten 
years later. 

On the fifth day of September, ISlJa, a party of emigrants, 
consisting of eleven persons, — Daniel Sniead and his wife 
(father and mother of (he others), Morgan Ij. Smead and 
wil'(^ and one child, Lyman Smead and wife and two chil- 
dren, and Lauriston Sniead and wife, — left their former 
home in Middletown, Delaware Co., N. Y., and started on 
an overland journey to the West, intending to locate at 
Rock River, in the State of Illinois. They traveled by 
leisurely stages, stopping fre(|uently at the homes of friends 
living at dift'erent places along their route, and reached 
Taylor's Tavern, in Batavia, about the 20th of November. 
Here the progress of the party was checked by the sudden 
prostration of Daniel Smead, who was attacked by a dis- 
ease that prohibited any further travel, and seriously threat- 
ened his life. So the party made them.sclves as comfortable 
as possible under the circumstances, and settled down for 
the winter. Of course, the sons spent a good portion of 
their time in looking about the country, and they grew to 
like it pretty well, — enough so, at least, as to load them to 
think of abandoning the idea of going on to Illinois, and 
settling here instead. 

As soon as the old gentleman had sufficiently recovered 
from his sickness they took him to sec .some of the land 
they had selected, and he, too, was pleased with its appear- 
ance. They then determined to stop here, and sent Morgan 
to Bronson ( iiow Kalamazoo) to enter the land. He went 
early in January, ISIJOi, and entered 44G acres lying in 
sections 3, 4, and 9. This was divided up, Lyman and 
Lauriston having 03 acres each, and ]Morgan living with 
the old folks on the east half of section 4. The party 
remained at Taylor's through the winter and George 
Duidiam and John Masters were hired to build a house, 
which they got finished about the 7th of March, but the 
family did not move into it until the 5th of April. After 
it was finished and before the family moved in, the an- 
nual burning of the marshes and openings took place, and 
the new house was endangered. Daniel Smead and David 
Worden luckily happened to visit it at this juncture, and 
started a counter-fire that saved the dwelling. As soon as 
the family had got settled in their new home, Lyman and 
Lauriston set at work to prepare homes of their own. Ly- 
36 



man ninvecl into his house during the succeeding summer, 
but Ijauriston did not get to living in his until the spring 
of 1837. Daniel Smead died March 9, 1847 ; his wife, 
Lucy, died Oct. 9, 1848 ; and Lauriston died April 2, 1845. 
Morgan L. and Lyman are still living on their original 
farms in this town. They are the two oldest surviving 
settlers of the town. 

Kbenezcr Green was the father of Amos and Silas S. 
Green. He came in company with them, bringing his wife 
and a younger son. He settled on the south half of the 
northeast quarter of section 30, and died in this town a 
few years later. Amos Green and his wife located on the 
north half of the same quarter-section, and subsequently 
returned to Ohio, from which State the Greens all came. 
Silas S. Green, with his wife and two children, took up the 
northwest quarter of section 30. He lived here until about 
twenty years ago, when ho removed to Cass County in this 
State. 

In the year 1R28 a vessel crossed the Atlantic, which 
brought from Glasgow to New York a Scotch emigrant 
named James Bonnie. Upon landing in this country he at 
once went to Amsterdam, on the Mohawk River, in Central 
New York, and engaged in doing farm work. He remained 
there for about five years, and then, having accumulated a 
sufficient amount of money to pay the expenses of their 
passage, sent to Scotland for his mother and an unmarried 
sister, who, as soon as possible, joined him at Am.sterdam, 
and then all came on to this State, where a married sister, 
Mrs. Jeauetto McKinley, was thou living, in the town of 
Gilead. 

They arrived in this locality in 1833, and Mr. Bonnie 
hired out to work for Bishop Chase, his mother and sister 
going to live with Mrs. McKinley. Mr. Bonnie arrived in 
this vicinity without a dollar, having expended all his earn- 
ings to get here. He became quite an important member of 
the bishop's household, and was intrusted with the manage- 
ment of a large part of his business affair.s. While Bonnie 
lived with him, the bi.shop went on a visit to England, and 
during his ab.sonce the residence was destroyed by fire. 
A large part of the furniture and household effijcts were 
saved from the conflagration. The news went across the 
sea that Bishop Cha.so's mansion had been destroyed, and 
he was presented with large amounts of money (aggregat- 
ing several thousand dollars) by his English friends and 
acquaintances, who seemed to liave no definite knowledge 
of the intrinsic value of a juaiisioii in the " wilds of Michi- 
gan." In this fire Mr. Bonnie lo.st all the property he pos- 
sessed except the clothes he w;ls wearing. lie continued 
working for the bishop till ho had saved enough to pur- 
chase an eighty-acre lot of tlie government, and then, in 
June, 1836, he went to the land-office and entered the east 
half of the .southeast quarter of section 31, and became a 
resident of Bethel, his unmarried sister Christiana keeping 
house for him. In 1852 he was married to Mrs. Susan 
Robinson, formerly of Syracuse, N. Y., who still survives 
him and resides on the homestead. He was a very indus- 
trious and energetic man, careful and thorough in business, 
kind and considerate to all with whom he came in cont:iet, 
and benevolent to a fault. During his life ho acquired a 
competency of worldly goods, and added to his landed pos- 



282 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



sessions until he owned 160 acres of the choicest lands in 
this part of the county. He was often intrusted with the 
management of public business in the town, and discharged 
his duties with careful fidelity. While on a vi.sit to rela- 
tives in lUah he was taken sick, and died there May 1, 
1872. 

Moses Paine came from Batavia, N. Y., in the early 
summer of 1830, and went as far West as Pigeon Prairie 
(now White Pigeon), where he bought a farm. lie grew 
dissatisfied with it in a few months, and, instead of bring- 
ing his family West, he returned to the East and remained at 
his former home for the space of six years. At the expira- 
tion of that time he had once more made up his mind to 
come to Michigan, had completed his preparations for re- 
moving his famil}', and having performed the journey in 
safety and without any unusual incident, arrived in October 
on the place his son Thomas had entered for him during 
the preceding winter. Mr. Paine's foniily consisted of a 
wife and six children. Thomas had preceded him ; Eph- 
raim, Moses, Jr., and Catharine accompanied him ; and his 
wife and daughters Jane and Sophia followed them a year 
later. Tlie land on which he settled was on the north part 
of section 5, adjoining the Cliicago road, and consisted of 
80 acres of timbered opening land. As soon as the land 
was got in proper condition Mr. Paine planted some apple- 
.seeds he had brought from the East. Tlie orchard thus 
commenced was one of the earliest raised in the township 
and is now a fine and fruitful one. Moses Paine died in 
this town in August, 1871, at the ripe age of ninety-one 
years. Of his children, Ephraim lives on the homestead, 
Thomas in Batavia, Moses in California, Jane in Girard, 
Sophia in Plymouth, Ind., and Catharine in Nebraska. 

Heman Lake, Origin Bingham, Adam Bower, and Lem- 
uel Bingham, with their respective families, traveled in 
company from their homes in Erie Co., N. Y., till they 
arrived at Coldwater, when Lemuel Bingham left the party. 
The others came on along the State road till they reached 
this town. 

Heman Lake entered the northeast quarter of the south- 
west quarter of section 13. In the summer of 1839 Mr. 
Lake was taken with a severe attack of the bilious fever, 
and was attended by Dr. Corwin. He took an emetic pre- 
scribed by the physician which it is thought hastened his 
death, which occurred in the latter part of August. 

Origin Bingham located on the west half of the south- 
east quarter of section 25, and died there some six years 
later. His widow, his son Origin, and a daughter are now 
residents of Coldwater. 

Adam Bower took up 40 acres in the northeast corner of 
the southeast quarter of section 25. He died there about 
the year 1847. His family of ten children have all died or 
removed from the town. 

Lemuel Bingham remained in Coldwater through the 
winter of 183(J-37, while his son, Blatthew H., was build- 
ing a log house on the land they had entered on the north- 
east quarter of section 25. They owned in addition to 
this a 40-acre lot in section 30 in Ovid. Tlie lake on that 
section was called Bingham Lake on that account. The 
family moved on to their place in the spring of 1837. 
Matthew married a daughter of Hemau Lake, and about 



two years afterwards died. Lemuel then sold the farm and 
went to live with his son, Seymour, in Coldwater. 

During the same fall (1836), Thomas Judson, Lyman 
Seymour, Timothy Colby, Job Devol, and Otis Davis came 
from the town of Collins, Erie Co., N. Y., and settled in 
this town. 

Tliomas Judson settled on section 25, and remained about 
seven years, when he returned to his former home, and is 
now living there. Otis Davis, who located on section 24, 
sold his farm to Peleg Brownell, Jan. 1, 1846, and then he, 
too, returned to New York to live. 

Lyman Seymour took up the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 23, and lived there till the summer of 1839, when he 
died. 

Timothy Colby entered the ea.st half of the northeast 
quarter of section 26, and lived there till about 1850-51. 
He became somewhat prominent in town matters, and was 
treasurer of the town for three years before he removed to 
Ottawa County. At the time of leaving he was indebted 
to the town to a considerable extent. A few years ago 
he left this State and settled in Oregon. 

Caleb N. Bates came to Michigan in 1835, and bought 
five and a half 80-acre lots, located on sections 2, 13, 14, 
and 23 in this town, and then went back to prepare his 
family for removal. The next fall (183G) he, with his 
wife and five children, his son Peleg, with a wife and two 
children, and his'son-in-law, Hiram G. Wiser, with his wife 
and three children, all embarked on a steamboat on Lake 
Erie, at Buffalo, with all their household goods, three wagons, 
two horses, and two yokes of oxen. When the vessel had 
arrived within sight of the Toledo lighthouse, a heavy 
head wind sprung up, which rapidly increased to a gale, 
and drove the vessel back down the lake. While the furious 
storm was at its height, the rudder of the vessel gave way, 
and the boat was driven helplessly at the mercy and will of 
the winds and waves. After many hours of anxiety and 
terror to the crew and passengers, the vessel drifted ashore 
at Port Clinton, near Sandusky, 0. The passengers were 
taken ashore in boats, and the cattle and horses, being thrown 
overboard, swam ashore. The wagons, too, were thrown 
into the water and towed ashore by means of ropes. Our 
company of emigrants hitched up their teams, and leaving 
their goods to be carried to Toledo by the boat after the 
storm should have subsided, pressed on by land toward their 
destination, where they arrived in due time, having expe- 
rienced all the pleasures of a passage through the Black 
Swamp in the muddy season. They came from the town 
of Newstead (then a part of the town of Clarence), Erie Co., 
N. Y. Caleb was a veteran of the war of 1812, and drew 
a pension for his services. He died in this town Sept. 5, 
1867. Peleg lives on the farm on which he first settled. 
Benjamin, another son, lives in the town, and Hiram G. 
Wiser and his wife are still living, though well advanced in 
years, on a farm on section 14. 

Mrs. Margaret McMillan, with her sons Stephen and 
James, and her daughter Margaret, came from Batavia, 
Genesee Co., N. Y., and arrived in Bethel early in the fall, 
stopping temporarily with Silas S. Green, while they were 
preparing a home for themselves. They bought their land 
(the southwest quarter of section 29 and the southeast 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



283 



quarter of section 30) of a Mr. Tuttle, wlio liveJ in 
Batavia, N. Y., and had purchased it from the <;ovc!rn- 
mcnt. The McMillans built a house on the Broiison 
road about forty rods north ol' the section line. The 
house was 18 by 22 feet in size, and was ready for its occu- 
pants ill the latter part of October. In the latter part of 
the season, Pliilander Olds (a son-in-law of Mrs. McMillan) 
with Iiis wife and four cliildren, joined the i>arty, and in 
January, 1837, Ebenezer McWillianis and his wife came 
also. During the winter the little cabin teemed with life, 
for, in addition to those already mentioned, William and 
Andrew Heed, Anson Vaujihii, and Jo.seph Camj)bell occu- 
pied it, making in all a family of IG persons. The land 
cost them $4 per acre, and it was divided through the 
centre, Ebenezer taking the north half and Stephen the 
south half Ebenezer built a house about eighty rods north 
of the first one, and moved into it some time in March. 

Philander Olds purchased a couple of acres on section 
2'J, and built a dwelling and cooper-shop there. Here he 
worked at his trade for a couple of years, and then, his 
wife having died, he removed to Union City, and is now 
living there. James, some time about 1840, moved on to 
a tarni on section 17, in Batavia, and lived there till he 
went on a visit to some relatives in Washington Co., N. Y., 
about nineteen years ago, and while there was taken sick 
and died. Ebenezer sold his land in 18.j0 and bought 255 
acres on .section 31, where he is now living, at the age of 
sixty-eight years. Stephen still lives on tlie place where 
he first settled. His mother died about thirty years ago, 
and he was married about the same time to Miss Jeauette 
Grover. lie was the second supervisor of the town, and 
held the office four successive years. He is now nearly 
eighty years of age. 

Of the others mentioned as members of this party, An- 
drew Reed and Anson Vaughn returned to the State of New 
York, and Joseph Campbell went farther West. Only one, 
William Reed, settled here permanently. In the spring of 
1837 he bought the west half of the southeast quarter 
of section 29. He went East, was married, and returned 
with his wife in the fall of that year. About four years 
later he sold his property here and moved to Lansing, where 
he is now living. 

David Cumniings came from Niagara Co., N. Y., to 
Ypsilanti in the fall of 1832. In December, 1835, he 
came to Bionson, and kept a tavern there on tlic Pierce 
place. About a year later he moved to this town, and 
lived on the Van Alstine place, on Snow Prairie. In 1838 
he went to Indiana, and remained about fourteen years, 
then returned here for a short time, and then moved to 
Masonvilie, where he kept the Sellick tavern for about 
three years. He then removed to Quincy, and died there 
upwards of twenty years ago. Several of his children, 
among them his son William, removed to California; one 
is living at La Grange, Ind., and another, Mrs. Gideon 
Lease, is residing in this town. 

Charles M., George, and James Gallap, three brothers, 
came from Clarence, Erie Co., N. Y., the first in the fall 
of 1838, and the two latter in the fall of 1842. Soon 
after his arrival here, Charles married .Miss Olive Hates, of 
Ovid, a daughter of Francis Bates, and settled on the west 



half of the southwest quarter of section 23. He is now 
living in the northeast part of the town. George returned 
to Erie (Jouiity, N. Y., and is now living there. James 
married a daughter of Roswell Larabee, in 1846, and is 
now living at Bethel Centre. He ha.s been intimately con- 
nected with the conducting of town affairs, having held 
several lA' the most important town oflSces, among them 
that of town clerk for ten years. 

Levi Thompson, formerly a citizen of Cana.seraga, Madison 
Co., N. Y., came to tliis town from Rome Centre, Lenawee 
Co., in 1838, and settled on 120 acres on the soutlieast 
quarter of section 13, where he lived till his death in 1SG3. 
He has two sons and one daughter still living in this town. 

Walter Roe, in the fall of 1839, settled in the southwest 
part of the town. He died in 1850. His wife survived 
him many years and died in 1873, at the age of eighty-four 
years. A son, David, is now living on the homestead. 

Willard Cranson came from Parma, Monroe Co., N. Y., 
in 1831, and .settled in Lenawee County, near the present 
city of Adrian, where he remained five years, removing, at 
the expiration of that time, to Moscow Plains, in Hillsdale 
County. In the spring of 1840 he again changed his loca- 
tion, and settled on a farm of 240 acres lying on sections 
32 and 33 in this town, which he iiuicha.sed of Uriah Mal- 
lory, who had bought it of the government about two years 
previous. His family at that time consisted of his wife, 
two .sons, and one daughter. Mr. Cian.son is still living on 
the farm he then bought, has reached the age of ninety 
years (on the 7th of April, 187!ij, and is the oldest citizen 
of the township. His wife died April 24, 1855. His 
sons, Parmenio A. and Asa, and his daughter, Mrs. Cor- 
nelius Freeman, are still living in this town. Another 
daughter, who married before the family left Lenawee 
County, is now living in Wisconsin. 

Charles W. Weatherby settled in the adjoining town of 
Batavia, as early as 1835-36, and after living there a few 
years removed into this town. He lived here until about 
fifteen years ago, when he removed to Shelbina, Shelby Co., 
Mo. During his residence here he was frequently elected 
to official positions, and is the only person who, while living 
in Bethel, was honored with official position outside of the 
town offices. He was elected a representative in the State 
Legislature in 1860, and served two terms. 

Roswell Larabee was a settler in Lenawee County at an 
early day, and came from there to this town in 1844, locating 
on .section 13. In 1850 he returned to Lenawee County. He 
brought to this town a wife, four sons, and three daughters. 
Of these sons, Roswell P., Horatio B., and Austin settled 
in this town, and Erastus in Ovid. Roswell enli.sted in the 
Union army during the war, and died of typhoid pneumonia 
at Cumberland Gap on the 23d of April, 1864. Horatio 
was killed by the cars while cro.ssing the railroad at Branch. 
Austin and Mrs. James Gallap are still residents of Bethel. 

During the first five or six years of the experience of the 
pioneers in this town, they were called upon to suffer many 
privations and to endure many hardships. But the lands 
were soon brouglit to produce an abundance of material for 
food, and the settlers grew into easier circumstances, though 
they had tn inaki; long journeys to reach a mill, where their 
corn and wheat could be made into meal and flour, and 



284 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



thus fitted for their use. Hogs, which were allowed to roam 
tlie woods at will, fatted upon the acorns and other nuts, 
and the settlers, to secure their supply of pork, had but to 
go into the forest and shoot what hogs they needed. 

There were numerous families of Indians living about 
the town, who were friendly towards the whites, always 
ready to go with them upon fishing or hunting excursions, 
and ever open to trade. One morning Lyman Olmstead 
arose very early and went out to a lunway to watcli I'or 
deer, leaving his wife in bed. She neglected to get up and 
fasten the door after him, and soon fell asleep. About sun- 
rise she again awoke, and was very much startled at seeing 
a formidable and repulsive-looking Indian standing at the 
bed.side. Without betraying her fears, she inquired what 
he wanted? He said he wanted to get warm, and she told 
him to go to the fireplace, then, and not be standing there 
to frighten her. He obeyed, and Iter hu.sband returning 
soon after, relieved her fears. Upon another occasion her 
husband had gone away in company with a young Indian 
with whom he was on very friendly terms, and did not 
return. Bed-time came, and Mrs. Olmstead retired with a 
female friend who had come to spend the night with her. 
Some time in the niglit there was a rap at the door, and 
Mrs. Olmstead, arising, went to the door and asked wliat was 
wanted. A voice, which she thought was her husband's, 
replied in the Indian language (which he could talk quite 
fluently, and often used in conversing with her) that he 
wanted her to open the door. She did so, and the door 
was scarcely opened, when the Indian who had gone out 
with her husband glided in, and, closing the door behind 
him, went to the fireplace to warm. Being questioned as 
to Olmstead's whereabouts, ho replied that he did not know. 
The women were frightened at his strange behavior, and 
made preparations to leave the house on pretext of going 
for water, intending to go to some of the neighbors fur 
protection. Before they left, however, the door again 
opened, and Olm.stead, who had been standing outside all 
the time, stepped in, and he and the Indian enjoyed a 
hearty hiugh over the efiect their ruse had produced upon 
tlie women. 

These Indians drew a pension from the Briti.sh Govern- 
ment for services rendered during the war of 1812, and 
made an annual pilgrimage to Canada to draw their annuity. 
In the month of August, 1837, a party of them were 
returning home from this annual pilgrimage, and camped 
for the night near the present residence of James Taylor, 
in Batavia. A party of wliites, consisting of Morgan, 
Lyman, and Lauriston Smead, Hezekiah Terry, and Philip 
Olmstead, had been to Coldwater, to Cross & Holbrook's 
store, for a keg of whisky to use while cutting hay on 
the marshes. They were in a lumber-wagon, and coming 
along the Chicago road, on their way home, .saw the light 
of the Indian camp-fires, and the shadow-like figures of the 
dusky aborigines flitting to and fro before them. Terry, 
who was a new-comer, and curious to learn all about the 
Indians and their ways, proposed that they should stop and 
see them for a while. So they all alighted, hitched the 
team, and went forward to the camp-tire. While they were 
conversing with them, the Indians, who had in some way 
learned that there was whisky in the vicinity, asked the 



whites for some of their much-loved " fire-water," and were 
each given a small drink from the keg. All then returned 
to the camp, and the visitois stood by looking at tlie squaws 
as they prepared the food for their evening meal. All was 
apparently quiet and peaceful, when suddenly Olmstead, who 
was leaning against a tree, felt something strike his side, 
followed by a sharp pain. Looking around, he .saw that an 
Indian had struck him with a knife, penetrating his clothes 
and inflicting a slight cut in his side. Instantly a battle 
began, in which fists, clubs, and knives were freely used, 
and in which the whites were victorious, driving their 
enemies from the field. Terry especially distinguished 
himself by his activity and prowess. At the close of the 
engagement the whites mounted their vehicle and proceeded 
to their homes. Benjamin Olmstead, of Batavia, visited 
the camp the next morning, and he described the Indians 
as very much demoralized and badly punished. The In- 
dians seemed to have a good sense of justice, and never 
held a grudge against any one for a punishment justly 
inflicted upon them. This is illustrated by tlie case of an 
Indian who went to the house of Mrs. Corwin, at Mason- 
ville, and asked for something to eat. Mrs. Corwin refused 
his request, telling him that what little food she had she 
needed for her own and her children's ii.se. He grew angry 
at this, and telling her that he would have it, began search- 
ing for it. Jlrs. Corwin ran across the road to Mr. Stewart's 
for helj), and Morgan Smead, who had just driven up, went 
over to see to the matter. He found the Indian with his 
head and shoulders in the cupboard, and his position being 
very favorable, made a very effective attack upon him, pun- 
ishing him severely before he succeeded in making his 
escape. Some time after, he again met the same Indian, 
who, to show his friendly feelings, made him a present of 
some pewter finger-rings, — ornaments which the Indians 
were Ibnd of wearing and which they highly prized. A 
few years later, these Indians were removed to their reser- 
vation in the Indian Territory. 

In the fall of 1835 some of the settlers clubbed together 
to buy salt for the purpose of putting down their yearly 
supply of meat, and sent a man with a team of horses to 
bring it from Detroit. He came back with a load of eight 
barrels, which cost the settlers ten dollars a barrel. 

The scarcity of wheat was greatest in 1835-36, when it 
sold for two dollars a bushel. In 1842 it was the lowest it 
ever has been here, being drawn to Coldwater and sold for 
two shillings and sixpence per bushel. 

Among the later settlers was William T. Ammerman, who 
came from Chesterfield, Fulton Co., 0., and, after living 
two years in Ovid, settled, in January, 1853, on the fine 
farm he now owns, in the east part of the town. In addi- 
tion to the important town offices to which he has been 
elected, he has held the office of notary public for twenty- 
four years, and has always been foremost in all enterprises 
tending to advance the interests of the town and of its 
citizens. 

Another was William Bradway, a settler of 1842, who is 
still living in town on a fine farm in section 9. 

The town of Bethel is designated in the United States 
survey as town 7 south, range 7 west, and comprises a ter- 
ritory six miles square, bounded north by Batavia, east by 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



285 



Ovid, south by Gili-ail, and wost by Bronson. It was 
originally prutty evenly divided between timbered lands 
and openiniis. The timber lands extended in a strip 
nearly three miles wide from near the northeast corner of 
the town to the south line in section 'M. Another strip, 
about a mile and a half wide, started from a point a little 
west of the centre and extended west into the town of 
l?ronson. The rest of the town was either timbered or 
burr-oak openings. The timbered openings lay nearest the 
water-courses, and in the eastern part, along tlie State road. 
The burr-oiik opening on section 1 G has before been men- 
tioned as Snow Prairie. Another, on section 31, is locally 
known as Kane's Prairie. The best lands in the town are 
in the southwest part. The land along the course of Swan 
Creek was quite marshy, and was bordered with tamarack. 
Hack from this was a light growth of black-oak timber. The 
surface of the ground is generally level or gently undulating, 
with a little land of a more rolling nature in the east centre 
of the town, along the State road. The soil on the open- 
ings is a .sandy or gravelly loam, and on the timbered lands 
it is a rich black loam, often somewhat intermingled with 
clay. The subsoil is a heavy blue clay of a great depth. 
The soil is fertile, easily worked, and suited to the cultiva- 
tion of general crops. It is (juite stony in some places, 
ntostly on the limbered land. 

At the time of settlement the marsh lands constituted 
about one-sixth of the area of the town, but by the clear- 
ing of land, the removal of obstructions in the form of 
fallen and decayed timber, and the improved system of 
drainage, a large share of these have been reclaimed, or are 
now undergoing a process that will eventually fit them for 
cultivation. Though some parts of the town are still com- 
paratively new, Bethel is not greatly behind the other towns 
of the county in the value of its lands or the amount of crops 
annually produced. 

The principal stream is Swan Creek, which forms the 
outlet of Cary's Lake, the southern portion of which ex- 
tends a little into this town. The creek enters the town at 
the northeast corner of section 4, runs in a semicircular 
course, and, after a brief detour in Batavia, pa.s!3cs into 
Bronson half a mile south of the town line. Stony Creek 
is its i)rincipal tributary in this town. Prairie River crosses 
the southwest corner of the town, touching sections 30, 32, 
and 33. It is sometimes called Hog Creek, but, we are led 
to think, incorrectly. A small part of Bingham Lake lies 
iti .section 25 in this town. There are three small lakes in 
the north part of the town, the largest being in section 4, 
and bearing the name of Smead's Lake. They are all about 
30 or 40 feet deep, and have a mucky bottom. The waters 
have lowered considerably since the lands of the vicinity 
have been better drained, and tliere is firm, tillable ground 
now on the very sites where the first settlers used to anchor 
their boats to fi.sh. 

Of the causes which led to and the steps taken to bring 
about the organization of the town we are left in ignorance. 
The name " Hlizabeth" was selected, and it is thought most 
probable that this name was selected by 3Ioses Olmstead, 
and that the name was taken from that of the town of the 
same name in New Jersey. It was erected into a separate 
township under that name by the Legislature of 183(5-37, 



and the first town-uieeting was held in accordance with the 
provisions of the act. The following transcript of the 
records shows what transpired at that time: 

FIRST TOWN-JIEETI.NG. 

" At a meeting hold iit the house of Muses Omptead, being the first 
township-meeting for the township of Elizabeth, for the [iiirposo of 
electing officers for the year 1S:!7, .Monday, April .'i, IS:i" : 

"Elijah Thiiinas wns olceted Moderator; David M. Clark and f?il!i8 
S. Green. Clerks ; Isaac Freeman, David Cammings, .\ssislant .ludges. 

"The following were elected by ballot to serve as officers for llio 
ensuing year: Elijah Thomas, Supervisor; David .M. Clark, Town- 
ship Clerk ; David M. Clark, Ebene7.er Green, Diinicl .Smead, Asses- 
sors ; Isaac Freeman. Moses Oinstcad, .Ir., Lorcston" .Smead, Com- 
missioncr.s of Highways; Stephen McMillan, David Cummings, 
Elijah Thomas, David M. Chirk, Justices of the I'eace : Morgan 
Smciid, David M. Clark, Elijah Thomas, School Inspectors; Moses 
Onistcad, Sr., Daniel Smead, Overseers of the Poor; Philip Omstead, 
Constable and Collector ; Morgan Johnston, 0. Dickinson, Constables ; 
Samuel Handy, Stephen McMillan, James Thurston, and Elijah 
Thomas, Moses Omstead, Overseers of Highways. 

''Ei.iJ.Mi Thomas, Snpt. 
" Davio M. Ci.auk, 7'. C. 

"EbEXK/KK (jItKKN. 

" IsA.u' Fhekmax." 



(Attested.) 

I 
'David M. Clark.' clerks. 

•S. S. Green. ' 



On the 10th of April the justices met and c;i.st lots to 
determine their respective terms of office. The result 
will be seen by referring to the civil list published else- 
where. 

September 22 a c;iucus was held " at the house of the 
widow omstead, for the ]iurpose of sending Two delegates 
to the convention at Taylor's tavern." Samuel Fowler 
was chairman, and Elijah Thomas secretary of the meet- 
ing. Elijah Thomas and David M. Clark were the dele- 
gates selected. 

The following extract from the town records shows a 
rather curious way that people then had of .surmounting 
difficulties met in the work of conducting elections. It 
reads : " Aug' Notify'' the Township for an election for 
a Representative to Congress, to be hold at the widow 
omsteads. the Supervisor being .sick, and not sufficient 
officers to form a board, ulicretipon s<tid election tons dis- 
continued." 

The town raised $75 by tax " to meet all Expences and 
charges against the Township" for the year 1837-38 ; and 
even this sum was found too large to be all expended, for 
the bills audited amouted to but $50.37 J. 

The first general election occurred on the Gth and 7th 
days of November, 1 837. The polls were held open for two 
days, — the first day at the widow Olmstead's house, and 
the second day at the house of David M. Clark. Ebenezer 
Green, Stephen ftlcMillan, and David M. Clark were the 
inspectors of election, and Samuel Handy and Silas S. 
Green were the clerks. Notwithstanding this formidable 
array of officials, and the length of time consumed, the vote 
polled was not exceedingly heavy. For the office of Gov- 
ernor, Stevens T. Ma.son received 18 votes, and Charles C. 
Trowbridge received 1 1 votes. On the other officers voted 
for, the vote was about the same. 

The Legislature in 1838-39 changed tlu' name of the 
town, and culled it Bethel. The rciusons for the change, as 

* Lauriston. 



286 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



well as the derivation of the new naine, are not known, 
though it is said it was brought about mainly through the 
efforts and influence of David M. Clark. 

There were many afiplications presented to the town 
board for licenses to keep tavern by the settlers in differ- 
ent localities during the four or five years following the 
erection of the town. In 1840 the board refused to license 
Benoni Burch and Perez A. Tisdall. April 23, 18-12, 
they licensed " John Painter and Timothy Van Voltain- 
burgh" to keep public-houses, but made a proviso that they 
were " not to sell ardint spirrets." This policy does not, 
however, seem to have been in accord with the wishes of 
the people, or else their views met with a radical cliange, 
for at the town-meeting held April 5, 1847, a vote was 
taken on the question with the following result : for license, 
61 votes; against license, 10 votes. 

The following table, compiled from the census returns of 
1838 and 1874, tends to show the material growth of the 
town during the first forty years of its existence : 



1838. 

Pojiulatioo 177 

Wlieat, bu. raised. 1)45 
Cora, •■ ir.IS 

Oiits, " 1 188 [ 

Buckwheat, " 1000 ) 

Horses 37 



1874. 

1.348 
28,587 
53,352 

11,732» 

GOO 



1838. 1874. 

Neat stock 167 l,424t 

Hogs 152 1.401 

Sheep 2,415 

Mules 7 

Mileh cows 684 

Work oxen 40 



In this connection we will also mention that the equal- 
ized assessed valuation of the real estate in Bethel is about 
$200,000, and that the total amount of taxes for the year 
1878 was §4437.58. Of this amount $1306.87 were raised 
for school purposes, and $924.66 for town purposes, includ- 
ing $154.66 for building drains. 

In 1857 steps were taken towards building a town-house, 
and §200 were voted for that purpose. It was not com- 
pleted till the fall of 1859, and was built by Leverett 
Keyes for the sum of §369.75. The site selected was on 
the Cranson road, eighty rods west of the centre of the 
town, and the building committee consisted of Calvin J. 
Dart, James Gallap, and Samuel Fowler, under whose 
supervision the building was planned and built. This 
building is still used for town purposes, and all of the 
elections are held there. 

At an early day the State opened a road from Slarshall 
to Fort Wayne, Ind., which passed through the southeastern 
part of this town, and furnished a highway along which the 
pioneers of that part of the town passed on their way to 
their homes. 

Along this road, in the town of Ovid, a settlement 
was made by the Bateses, Cards, and Lanpheres, which 
received the name of " South America." This settlement 
has extended southward into this town, and the name 
has followed it, until it is now commonly, though incor- 
rectly, applied to tlie eastern part of this town. 

The following list .shows the names of the officers of the 
town from its organization to the present, and also the date 
of their election to the respective offices. It has been com- 
piled with great care, and may be relied upon as correct in 
all particulars : 



* Including all other grains. 

f Including milch cows and oxen. 



CIVIL LIST. 



SUPERVISORS. 

1837. Elijah Thomas. 1863. 

1838-41. Stephen McMillan. 1864. 

1842-47. Jeremiah Holly. 1805. 

1848-49. James Bonnie. 1866. 

1850. Jeremiah Holly. 1867- 

1851-54. William Lamoreaux. 1870. 

1855. Charles W. Weatherby. 1871. 

1856-57. Roswell P. Larabce. 1872- 

1858. N. (J. Ellis. 1874- 

1859-61. William T.Ammerman. 1877. 

1862. Roswell P. Larabee. I 1878. 



Thomas Goodrich. 

William T. Ammerman. 

David Stepheuson. 

Christopher G. Babcock, 
69. William T.Ammerman. 

Nathiiniel Piatt. 

James Gallap. 
73. Nathaniel Piatt. 
76. Luman Lamptimn. 

Richard T. Martin. 

Luman Lampman. 



TOWN CLERKS. 



1837. David M. Clark. 

1838. David Larmont. 
1839-40. John Proudfit. 
1841. Jeremiah Holly. 
1842-44. John Proudfit, 
1845. Richard Saulsbury. 
1846-47. Samuel Keyes. 
1848-49. William Lamoreaux. 

1850. Ransom Compton (res'd). 
Amasa W. Miller (ap'td). 

1851. Charles W. Wcathcrby. 
1852-54. Parmenio A. Cranson. 



1855-57. Wm. T. .4mmerman. 
1838-59. Myron F. (iiddings. 

1860. James Gallap. 

1861. James II. Rippey. 
1862-65. Myron F. Giddings. 
1866-70. James Gallap. 
1871. Edwin G. Wheeler. 
1872-74. James Gallap. 
1875-76. William G. Thurber. 

1877. James Gallap. 

1878. William G. Thurber. 



TOWN- 

1S39. Otis Davis. 
1840-41. Samuel Fowler. 
1842-43. Milton Beesmer. 

1844. Nathaniel Woodard. 

1845. Stephen McMillan. 

1846. George Gallap. 
1847-49. Timothy Colby. 
1850-51. Parmenio A. Cranson 
1852-55. Roswell P. Larabee. 

1856. A. W. Plumley. 

1857. James Gallap. 

1858. John Carter. 

185'J. William Van Orman. 



TREASt'RERS. 

1860. Roswell P. Larabee. 

1861. John Freeman. 

1862. John Webb. 
1863-64. Julius L. Hart. 
1865. .Tohn Henry Thompson. 
1860. Albert Hart. 

1867. Luman W. Harris. 

1868. Julius L. Hart. 
1869-70. George W. Joles, Jr. 
1871-72. Julius L. Hart. 
1873-74. Charles Allen. 
1875. Henry Fowler. 
1876-78. Edgar A. Miner. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



1837. 



1838. 



1839, 
1840, 
1841, 

1842, 
1843. 

1844. 

1845, 
1840, 



1847, 
1848. 



1849. 
1850. 



David M. Clark (4 yrs.). 1851, 

David Cummings (3 yrs.). 1852, 

Elijah Thomas (2 yrs.). 1853. 

Stephen McMillan (lyr.). 

Silas S. Greeu (4 yrs.). 1854. 

Hemau Lake (2 yrs.). 

Hezekiah Terry (1 yr.). 

John Proudfit. 

Adam Thurston. 1855. 

Thomas Judson (f. t.). 

Jeremiah Holly (v.). 

Willard Cranson. 1856, 

Origin Bingham (f. t). 1857. 

Silas S. Green (v.). 1858, 

Roswell P. Larabee (f. t.). 

John Proudfit (v.). 1859 

Jeremiah Hollj*. 

James Foster (f. t.). ISfiO, 

Newman Canfield (v.). 

Joseph D. Field (v.).™ 1861, 

Sherod Moore (v.)."*' 

Peleg Brownell. 1862, 

Chiis. W. Weatherby (f. t.). 

Dennis Horton (v.). 1863, 

Jeremiah Holly. 

Oscar F. Parker. 1864. 



James Thompson. 
Elwood Randall. 
Jeremiah Holly (f. t.). 
0. B. Cummings (v.). 
William Lamoreaux (v.)."!" 
A. C. Terry (v.).t 
George Smith (f. t.). 
James Turner (v.). 
William Harkness (f. t.). 
R. G. Pickel (I. v.) 
0. F. Parker (s. v.). 
Chas. W. Weatherby. 
George Smith. 
William Lamoreau.\ {f. t.). 
Benjamin Pond (v.). 
William Harkness (f. t.). 
R. G. Pickel (v.). 
David Stephenson (f. t.). 
Silas N. Card (v.). 
Newman Canfield (f. t.). 
Parmenio A. Cranson (v.). 
William Lamoreaux (f. t.). 
Lorenzo C. Hurd (v.). 
Silas N. Card (f.t.). 
Benjamin Pond (v.). 
Robert Stephenson. 



'^' Special election, Oct. 4, 1846. 
f Special election, Jan. 7, 1854. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



287 



1865. 


Alvah A. Philbriok. 


1871. William G. Thurbor. 


• SCnOOI. INSPECTORS. 


ISfiO. 
18C7. 


Willium Liiinort'iiux (f. t.). 
Nownian Ciinficld (l.v.). 
Will. T. Amnicrinan (s. v.). 
Silas N. Card (f. t.). 


1872. Silas N. Card. 

1873. Nowinan Canfield. 

1874. Martin L. Sweet. 

1875. William N. Carter (f. t.). 


1837. Morgan Smead. 
David M. Clark. 
Elijah Thomas. 

1838. Heiekiab Terry. 


1853. Horace Baldwin. 

1854. John Dunlap. 
Mortimer Horton. 

1855. Alvarus Derlhick. 


18B8. 
1809. 

1870. 


Eli lialdwiii (v.). 
Cliiirk-s M. .Strong. 
Nowinan Canfield (f. t.). 
.lanu-s Oallap (v.). 
.lohii i-i. Adams. 


Lucius Williams (v.). 

1876. Silas N. Card (f.t.). 
Frank llolacker (v.). 

1877. (ieorgc Fuller. 

1878. John E. Strong. 


Thomas Judson. 
David Larinont. 
1839. Stephen McMillan. 
Thomas Judson. 
Uriah Mallory. 


1856. R. G. Pickcl. 
1857-58. James U. Rippcy. 
1858-59. William Harkncss. 
1860. .Tames H. Rippey (rcsg'd). 
.Tames Gallap (app'td). 




COMMISSIONERS 


OK HIGH WAYS. 


1S40. Stejihen McMillan. 


1861. William Harkness. 


I8;i7. 


Isaac Freeman. 


I85I. James Bennie (f. t.). 


Jeremiah Holly. 


1862. Daniel Spring. 




Moses Olmstcad, Jr. 


John Dunlap (v.). 


Ashbcl Thorp. 


1863. Gideon D. Baggcrly. 




Lauriston Sinead. 


1852. John Carter. 


1841. Thomas Judson. 


1864. A. W. Plumley. 


1838. 


N. P. I'ilkiiis. 


1853. James Gallap. 


Ashbel Thorp. 


1865. Gideon D. Baggcrly. 




John G. Richardson. 


1854. John Freeman. 


H. S. Dickinson. 


1866. C. G. Babcoek. 




Origin Bingham. 


1855. J. R. lirown. 


1842. Thomas Judson. 


1S67. W. A. Chamberlain. 


1839. 


N. P. Fiikins. 


1856. James Bennie (f. t.). 


G. R. Grant. 


Wm. T. Ammerman (app.). 




Origin liingham. 


M. F. Bower (v.). 


Jeremiah Holly. 


1868. George Fuller. 




Samuel Fowler. 


1857. Heniy Bowker (f. t.). 


1843. James Bennie. 


1869. Perry H. Bower. 


18.10. 


C. N. Bales. 


George Borne (v.). 


Jeremiah Holly. 


1870. George M. Wliilc. 




Samuel Fowler. 


1858. Arvin Bales. 


1844. .Tames Bennie. 


1871. William G. Thurber. 




N. P. Fiikins. 


1859. Cornelius Freeman (f. t.). 


1845. Jeremiah Holly. 


1872. William H. Page. 


1841. 


Moses Oliiistoad. 


Charles Gallap (v.). 


1846. Newman Canlield. 


1873. George W. Webb. 




John (j. Uichardson. 


1800. George Smith (f. t.). 


1847. Harlow Jackson. 


1874. Wm. G. Thurber (f. t.). 




Caleb N. Bales. 


John Webb (v.). 


1848. David M. Clark. 


Henry Fowler (v.). 


1842. 


Nathaniel Woodard. 


1861. Ueman Harris (f. t.). 


1849. John Dunlap. 


1875. Parmenio A. Cranson. 




James Bt'niiie. 


Lucius Williams (v.). 


1850. Thomas J. Brownell. 


1876. George W. Webb. 




Timothy Colby. 


1862. Asa Cranson (f. t.). 


1851. Newman Canfield. 


1877. Jacob S. Kayser. 


1843. 


Matthew 11. Bingham. 


1862-63. Major Tultle. 


1852. R. U. Drake. 


1878. Cortes Pond. 




Nathaniel Woodard. 


1864. George W. Webb (f. t.). 






James Bennie. 


Henry C. Fowler (v.). 


Sl'l'EltlNTENDE.NT OF SCHOOLS. 


1844. 


Steiihen McMillan. 


1865. Parmenio A. Cranson. 


1875-76. Ellas B. Green. 1878. Elias B. Green. 




M. 11. Bingham. 


1866. David S. Lockwood. 


1877. Orlando D. Cure. ' 




Nathaniel Woodard. 


1867. W. A. Chamberlain. 




1845. 


Willard Cranson. 


1868. Ohas. F. Houseman (f. t.). 


COLLECTORS. 




Moses Paine. 


George W. Webb (v.). 


1837. Philip Olmstcad. 


1839. Matthew H. Bingham. 




M. H. Bingham. 


1869. George M. White (f. t.). 


1838. E. McMillan, resigned. 


1840. Aaron C. Terry. 


184G. 


Willard Cranson. 


George W. .Joles, Jr. (v.). 


N. P. Fiikins, appointed. 


1841. Matthew U. Bingham. 




Newman Canlield. 


1870. Perry H. Bower. 






James Gallap. 


1S7I. George H. Hart (f. t.). 


DRAIN COMSIISSIOXERS. 


1847. 
1848. 


Charles Webb (3 years). 
Sherod Moore (2 years). 
James Bennie (1 year). 
Guy E. Bennett. 


Andrew Zuver (v.). 

1572. Josiah Walker. 

1573. Parmenio A. Cranson. 
1874. Edward Odren. 


1872. Asa Cranson. 

1873. Parmenio A. Cranson. 

1874. John Freeman. 


1875. Nathaniel Piatt. 
1876-1377. Edward Odren. 
1878. Elias G. Tozier. 


184'J. 


John (i. Richardson (f. t.). 


1875. Oral Craniton. 


C0N.STABLES. 


1850. 


John Carter (v.). 
Lyman M. Hart. 


1876-77. John Freeman. 
1S7S. Benjamin Pond. 


Pliilip Olmstcad, Morgan Johnston, 0. Dickinson, 1837 ; N. P. Fiikins, 
All'ord Bingham, Zebulon Durall, Samuel Handy, 1838; Ashbel 




A.SSE 


4S0RS. 


Thorp, 1839, "50 ; Albert Glass, 1839; .M.allhcw H. Bingham, 1839, 


1837. 


David M. Clark. 


1839. Alfred Luce. 


'41 ; Aaron C. Terry, 1839, '40; A. D. Bales. 1840, '42; Ebenczer 




Ebenczer Green. 


1840. A. H. Hanchett. 


Gifford, 1840; Scth Young, 1841, '42; Richard S. Cook, 1841, 




Daniel Sinead. 


E. McMillan. 


'42, '45, '40; Benoni Burch, 1841; Thomas Smith, 1842; V. 


1838. 


James Bennie. 


John Proudfit. 


Smith, Alvin Leech, James Thompson, Hosea Harris, 1843; 




Thomas Judson. 


1841. James Bennie. 


John Painter, J. J. Richardson, Hiram Tripp, 1844; Orrin B. 




Samuel Hand 


Ashbcl Thor|i. 


Cummings, 1844, '4T; Alanson Gift'ord, Orlow Jackson, 1845; 


1839. 


Stephen McMillan. 


Thomas Judson. 


Augustus Pixley, 1845-47; Jacob Gordinicr, 1846, '63; Perry H. 




Thomas Judson. 




Bower, 1846-48; Parmenio A. Cranson, 1847; Jacob Roc, Eph- 




OVEllSKKHS 


F TIIK rooii. 


raim Paine, 1848; Nelson Richardson, 1848, '54; Henry C. Wil- 


1837. 


Moses Olmstcad, Sr. 


1846. James Thurston. 


liams, 1849; Collins Fenner, 1849, '65; Perry Lanibee, 1849, '50; 




Daniel Smead. 


Moses Paine. 


Ira Whitman, 1849-52; Stukoly Ho.\ie, 1850; Edwin Gordon, 


1838. 


Moses Olmstcad. 


1847. Lowell Rawson. 


1851-56; Abram Gordinier, 1851, '61, '62; Roswell P. Larabec, 




Ebenezer Green. 


James Thurston, Sr. 


1851, '55; J. G. Stime, 1852, '53, '56, '57, '58; James Gallap, 


1839. 


Levi Thompson. 


1853. Willard Cranson. 


1852; George Kennedy, Levi Thompson, 1853; Henry Smead, 




Moses OlinstcatL 


Samuel Fowler. 


1854; H. B. Avery, 1854, '57, '59, '60; R. Fowler, 1855; Wash- 


1840. 


James Thurston, Sr. 


1855. Ilcinan Harris. 


ington Olmstcad, 1855, '58; Sherod Moore, 1856; H. 11. Smith, 




Samuel Fowler. 


Samuel I'owler. 


1856, '58; Hiram Egglcston, C. L. Bates, 1857; David Roe, 


1841. 


James Thurston. 


1856. William Evans. 


1858, '59; Austin Larabee, 1859-01, '66, "69, "70, '71, '73, '75; 




Joseph lIo.\ic. 


Hosea Harris. 


William A. Buffham, 1859, "62 ; S. D. Sowlc, Hugh Marlin, 1860; 


1842. 


James Tluirslon. 


IS57. Samuel fowler (app'td). 


George Harris, S. S. Broeklebank, 1861; Daniel Tice, 1862; 




Daniel Snica4l. 


1858. Samuel N. Rawson, 


Gideon D. Baggcrly, 1862, '63; Rowland Martin, Perkins Shay, 


1843. 


Moses Oliiislead. 


William Short. 


1863; John Brown, Millard Olinstead, David Dickinson, Webster 




0, S. Dickinson. 


1859. S. K. Burleson. 


Goodrich, 1864; William Slurt, Julius L. Hart, 1S65; Philo D. 


1844-45. Juscpli Iloxic. 


Willard Cranson. 


Smilh, 1865, '77; Levi Gifl'ord, Nicholas Vanalstine, Andrew J. 




James Thurston. 




Bair, 1866; John Q. Adams, 


Samuel Trayer, Daniel Card, John 



288 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Webb, 1867; Edgar A. Miner, 1868-71, '75; Daniel C. Larabee, 
1868, '69; Silas N. Card, 1868,70; Hiram A. Swan, 1868, '69; 
C. J. Bates, 1870, 73 ; Daniel C. Card, 1871, 72, 76, '77 ; Ciiester 
N. Canfield, 1871 ; Benjamin Sweet, Henry H. Troutwine, Win- 
field Honeywell, 1872; Thomas Fuller, William A. Bower, 1873; 
Charles Jordan, John B. Allen, Adron Burleson, 1874; Henry S. 
Hart, 1874, '76-78 ; Asa Buff ham, Gilbert Roseboom, 1875 ; Mar- 
tin Bower, Stephen McCurley, 1876; Jackson Cha])in, 1877; 
Henry Friok, Reuben Cole, Voltaire Rose, 1878. 

For many years the political complexion of the town was 
generally Democratic, but by a small majority. As before 
stated, at the first ireneral election the vote was 1 8 Demo- 
cratic and 11 Whig. Still closer was the vote in 18-17, 
when it was 33 Democratic, 32 Whig, and one vote was 
cast for another candidate. At the town-meetings the ques- 
tion of political affinity was not regarded as of the utmost 
importance, and more regard was paid to the fitness and 
qualifications of the candidates. In the early part of the 
winter of 1854-55, a Know-Nothing society was organized 
under the leadenship of Charles W. Weatherby and Ros- 
well P. Larabee. They fitted up a vacant house owned by 
Austin Larabee, on the farm now owned by Morrill lilliott, 
and held their meetings there. They steadily increased 
their membership until they had a majority of the voters 
of the town in their ranks. On the Saturday night before 
the town-meeting they initiated no less than 75 new mem- 
bers. At that meeting a " slate" was made up, and on the 
day of town-meeting much merriment was created among 
the knowing ones by the appointing of a " committee to 
make nominations" according to the usual practice. But 
the strength of the Know-Nothings waned as rapidly as 
it had waxed, and from dissatisfaction and internal strife 
their organization was quickly broken up. Its brief exist- 
ence had, however, served to create a partial political chaos, 
from which the Republican party, when it came into exist- 
ence, like a magnet in a box of mixed iron-filings and sand, 
drew to itself the best and most valuable part. It soon 
gained the political control of the town, and held it — 
sometimes having a majority as high as 130 — until the 
spring of 1878, when the National party, which had been 
organized in a manner very similar to that of the Know- 
Nothings, carried the town by a majority of 73. At the 
fidi election of 1878 they were again victorious, having a 
plurality of 16 votes, and a majority of 7. 

In the winter of 1857 a case of smallpox occurred in. 
the southeastern part of the town, which created great con- 
sternation among the authorities, who met in their capacity 
of a board of health, and took measures to prevent the 
spread of the disease. Highways were blockaded, a hos- 
pital established, travel over the blockaded roads or past 
the hospital forbidden to all who were not vested with a 
permit from the physician or the authorities, and a special 
constable was appointed to enforce the rules adopted by the 
board. The disease obstinately refused to spread, and in 
spite of all the formidable array but one arrest was made. 
This unlucky individual, who .suffered restraint of his lib- 
erty for one niglit, had not the fear of the smallpox or of 
the constable before his eyes, and attempted to walk past 
the house where the disease was located. Again, in 1871, 
the disease broke out in town, and proved more fatal, as 
three persons died from its ravages. 



The first school in Bethel was kept by Miss Abigail 
Perrine in the summer of 1837, and a subsequent one by 
David M. Clark, during the winter of 1837-38, in a log 
house that had formerly been used by the Youngs family 
as a residence. It stood on the east bank of Stony Creek. 
In the following summer Morgan L. Smead and Milton 
Beesmer built the first school-house in the town, in the 
same locality. It was a log building, and the bricks for 
the chimney were brought from Barney Wing's brickyard, 
east of Coldwatcr. 

The first post-office in the town was established in May, 
1857, at the house of the postmaster, William T. Ammer- 
man. It was called Bethel, and was on a special mail-route 
from Coldwatcr to Flint, Ind. Mr. Ammerman's commis- 
sion was signed by Aaron B. Brown, who was postmaster- 
general under Buchanan. The postmasters who have suc- 
ceeded Mr. Ammerman have been Daniel K. Briggs, Ben- 
jamin Pond, Allen C. Townsend, and David F. Mi.senar, the 
present incumbent. The mail-route was changed to a 
" regular" one in 18G7. Another post-office was established 
at Bethel Centre in 1868, with L. E. Van Valkingburgh 
as postmaster. It was called Bethel Centre for a time, and 
then the name was changed to Snow Prairie. In 1870 this 
office was discontinued. 

Among the earliest enterprises having for their object the 
material growth of the town was one which was most pecu- 
liar in its inception and c.irrying out. It propo.sed to re- 
deem a quantity of waste, mar.shy land, and build thereon 
a populous and thriving city. To William Reynolds, of the 
Island, the credit of this scheme is due, and the steps taken 
to bring it about were also made by him. Becoming pos- 
sessed of a quantity of land near the phice where Swan 
Creek crosses the Chicago road, he caused a fine map to be 
prepared, showing the streets, alleys, blocks, etc., of a large 
town, and arming him with this map, he dispatched an 
agent to the East to sell lots in the " city of Wheeling on 
the Swan River, a navigable stream," etc. Whatever else 
may be said of the place it is certain there could have been 
no misrepresentation as to the number of " water lots" the 
city contained. The agent was quite successful, and re- 
turned from the East with the price of many lots in his 
pocket. The sequel may be inferred from the following- 
incident: One day a nicely-dressed gentleman alighted from 
the stage-coach at the New York House, and quietly pur- 
.sued his way along the turnpike on foot. At last he came 
to the place where Morgan L. Smead was engaged in the 
work of breaking up a piece of land on the openings, and 
the stranger, accosting him, said, — 

" Can you tell me where the city of Wheeling is lo- 
cated?" 

" About a mile west, where the road crosses the creek, is 
the place where they have platted a village,''' replied Mr. 
Smead. 

" Are there many residents in the place ?" 

" No, sir ! not unless they have come very recently." 

The traveler waited to hear no more, but, determined to 
know the full extent of his poor bargain, wont on down the 
road. Not long after he returned and met Mr. Smead 
again. He paused and said, " Is it possible that you have 
such barefaced, shameless swindlers here in Michigan ?" 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



289 



Mr. Sinead replied, in Yankee fashion, with tlie question, 
" You don't see a great nuny holding the plow, do you ?" 

" No," was the reply ; " you are the first one I have 
seen." And then, as his thoughts turned to his disap- 
pointment and loss, he continued, " It is the most trans- 
parent swindle I ever heard of. City of Wheeling, indeed ! 
Why, it's nothing but a Uimarack swamp T 

This closed the interview, and the wouldbo purchaser 
of city lots returned on his homeward way, a poorer and 
sadder, but evidently a wiser, man. 

In the matter of villages the town is very deficient, 
though in two localities small settlements have grown up. 
The settlement near the centre of the town, called Bethel 
Centre, was first started by Timothy Colby, who settled 
there in 1844. He was the first settler on the Cranson 
road, between Milton Beesmc^r's place and the Cran.son.s' 
place. 

Tlie saw-mill, which was the first in the town, was built 
by Benjamin Pettengill about 1851-52. In 1862 it was 
burned, and in 18()o was rebuilt by Thomas Goodrich. 
It is now owned by James Stevenson. About the same 
time that the mill was built, Hiram B. Avery opened a 
blacksmith-shop there. A tavern was opened by Leonard 
Bowker in 1804, in the house he had purchased of Avery, 
and to which he built an addition. L. E. Van Valking- 
burgh started a store there in 18G8. At present there are 
about eight dwellings, one tavern, one saw-mill, one black- 
smith-shop, one store, and a school-house in this settlement. 
Three-quarters of a mile north another steam saw-mill was 
built in the spring of 1850, by Calvin J. Dart and John 
Ayres. Dec. 24, 1850, on account of imperfect working 
of the safety-valve, the boiler exploded and seriously dam- 
aged the mill. Of the persons about the mill, all five were 
injured to a greater or less extent. IMr. A. Dart received 
the mo.st sofious injury, his leg being broken near the hip, 
and he being also badly scalded by the escaping steam. 
Adelbert Short had his wrist broken and skull fractured, 
Calvin J. Dart was blown about ten rods by the force of 
the explosion and injured about the head, and William 
Short and Lyman Hart were .slightly injured. The mill 
was repaired and commenced running again in June, 1857. 
About 1867-68 the mill burned and was rebuilt by John 
Kent and Michael Hofackcr. It is now owned by W. H. H. 
Bates and C. S. H. Austin. 

There are two other steam saw-mills in this town. John 
C. Dubendorf has one on the State road, in section 13, 
which is also a shingle- mill, and Arthur H. Sherman has 
one on section 35, which also manufactures fork-handles 
and lath. 

A small hamlet has sprung up on the State road, in sec- 
tion 25, which bears the name of Bethel, and contains 
half a di>zen dwellings, a church, a school-house, and a 
harness-shop. The post-office is located a quarter of a mile 
south. The first .settler on the site of the settlement was 
Benjamin Rolf 

The war record of Bethel is very situilar to that of other 
towns. It held special meetings, voted bounties, and sent 
out over one hundred of its citizens to fight under the .starry 
banner of the Union. Roswell P. Larabee, George and 
Stephen Bates, Henry Wiser, Samuel Fowler, Martin F. 
37 



Bower, Ch.irles Jordan, and no doubt others, whose names 
have not been given us, died noble martyrs in a noble cause. 
Their memories will ever be cherished by their grateful 
fellow-citizens, and their achievements will ever adorn the 
pages of their country's history. 

" II<iw uleop the brave, who sink to rest 
Hy JiH their Country's wishes blest! 
When Spring, willi dewy (infers coM, 
Heturiis to deck their hiiHowed mould, 
f?lie then will greet a fairer sod 
Than l''ancy'8 feet have ever trod." 

The first church organized in the town was of the Frce- 
Will Baptist denomination, and is known as 

TIIK NOIlTir ItKrilKt, FIlKK.-WIl.r, BAPTIST cinuifMr. 

It was organized Aug. 28, 1853, with four members. 
Two others were baptized and added to the church the .same 
day. 

The council which organized the church was composed 
of Revs. Daniel Durmond and Silas Headley. 0. B. Cum- 
mings wa.s elected clerk. 

Among the earliest members were Orrin B. and Martha 
S. Cummings, James and Abigail Thurston, Arwin, I'eleg 
C, and Mercy Bates, Alanson and Anna Harris, Hiram 
Olmstead, and Mrs. Mary Carnier. 

On the lOth of September James Thurston was elected 
deacon, and he and 0. B. Cummings were appointed as 
delegates to attend the Steuben quarterly meeting and re- 
quest membership in that body. The request was granted, 
and the church was connected with that meeting. Since 
that time changes have been made in the quarterly-meeting 
boundaries, and at present the church is connected with 
Branch quarterly meeting and St. Joseph Valley yearly 
meeting. 

Peleg C. Bates was elected treasurer at a meeting held 
Nov. 5, 1853. 

The pastors of the church have been as follows : Revs. 
Silas Headley, Stephen Clark, Silas Headley, S. G. Cook, 
E. G. Rosencranz, William B. Chaple, A. B. Taylor, Calvin 
Cummings, R. Cooley, E. J. Keeville, and William Taylor, 
who is the present pa.stor. 

James Thurston, Arwin Bates, John Webb, Henry Sibley, 
L. A. Carmer, and C. J. Bates have served as deacons, the 
three last named holding the po.sition of assistants. 

The present membership is 20. 

The present officers are John Webb, Deacon and Clerk; 
C. J. Bates, Assistant. 

The meetings have always been held at what is known 
as the Butcher school-house. 

A Sunday-school was organized about ten years ago, of 
which Collins Fenner was the first superintendent. It has 
been kept up, down to the present time, and now numbers 
about 40 scholars. Its officers are L. A. Carmer, Superin- 
tendent; C. J. Bates, Secretary; and Charles Dcwaiter, Li- 
brarian. 

The Methodist Episcopal denomination first held meet- 
ings in this town about 1854. A missionary by the name 
of Mosier preached a few times, and Charles Warburton, a 
local preacher, held services until the class was formed, in 
the fall of 1857, by Rev. John Clubine. 



290 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



It was organized in November, and took the name of 

THE SNOW PRAIRIE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

The first class numbered five members. Their names 
were, Mr. and Jlrs. Charles Waiburton, Mr. and Mrs. 
John Dingman, and Mrs. William Laraoreaux. The first 
named was the class-leader and steward. 

Among the most prominent of the early members were 
Charles Warburton and wife, Father Wallace, Charles Brook 
and wife, Stephen Brook and wife, Frederick Brook and wife, 
Charles Brook, Jr., and wife, Charles Allen and wife, S. N. 
Card, Mrs. Ira Gifford, Mrs. William Bradway, Mrs. Polly 
Larabee, M. M. Olmstead and wife, Thos. Wilson and wife, 
Lucius Williams and wife, and Owen Palmatier and wife. 

Although so small at the beginning, the class soon grew 
to a respectable size. Under the preaching of Rev. Albert 
Torrey, in 1802, there was a spirited revival, which brought 
30 converts into the fold of the church, and this was fol- 
lowed by another, under Rev. William Doust, which in- 
creased the membership to about 60, the highest point it 
has ever reached. At present (1879) the number of mem- 
bers is about 20. 

In 1863 the church was incorporated, a church site con- 
taining about one-eighth of an acre, on the southwest corner 
of the four corners on section 16, was donated by Major 
Tuttle, and a church, capable of affording comfortable sit- 
tings for from 250 to 300 persons, was erected, at a cost of 
about §1700. It was dedicated in the fall, and the sermon 
on that occasion was preached by the presiding elder, Rev. 
Mr. Jacokes. 

The first and present trustees were, and are, as follows : 

First Trustees. — John Reynolds, Lucius Williams, John 
Bassett, Chas. Brook, Charles Warburton, Nicholas G. Ellis, 
Ebenezer McMillan, Collins Fenner, Moses M. Olmstead. 

Present Trustees. — Collins Fenner, Charles Brook, Jr., 
Stephen Brook, Frederick Brook, Charles Allen, Henry 
Fowler, Thomas Wilson, M. M. Olmstead. 

Stephen Brook is the present class-leader, and Frederick 
Brook the steward. 

The pastors have been, in the regular order of their serv- 
ice. Revs. John Clubine, W. M. Copelin, E. C. Chambers, 

George D. Lee, Albert Torrey, William Doust, Steele, 

W. J. Swift, J. Hoyt, I. Bennett, B. W. Smith, J. E. 
White, J. W. White, John Clubine, George W. Hoag, and 
J. W. White, the present pastor. 

This was formerly an appointment on the Burr Oak 
circuit, but is now on the Gilead circuit. 

In 1857 the denomination known as United Brethren 
began to operate in this field. Rev. J. N. Martin preached 
once or twice in the early part of the year, and in Decem- 
ber Rev. Richard T. Martin began a protracted meeting 
that lasted three weeks, and resulted in the conversion of a 
number of persons. These meetings were held at what 
was known as the Block School-house, and at first met with 
a deep spirit of opposition from the ungodly and irreverent 
portion of the community. As a result of the revival the 

BETHEL CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST 

was organized in January, 1858, by Rev. R. T. Martin, 
with 46 members. Among the most prominent of these 



were George Misenar and wife, Andrew Zuver and wife, 
George Zull and wife, George F. Witter and wife, Hiram 
Lake, Mrs. Heman Lake, Mrs. Mary Smith, Elizabeth 
Palmer, and Richard T. Martin and wife. 

George Misenar was chosen class-leader, and Andrew 
Zuver steward. 

For a space of ten years the meetings continued to be 
held at the school-house, and the membership increased. 
It then began to be felt that a house of worship was needed, 
and steps were taken looking toward the accomplishment of 
that object. The society was incorporated by the election 
of James Foglesang, Edward Jones, and George F. Witter 
as trustees ; a site was procured of Alexander Olmstead, 
containing half an acre of ground, for which S50 were 
paid, and work begun on the church in 1867. This edifice, 
which is 34 by 46 feet in size, and affords sittings for 
about 300 people, cost about §1800, and was not completed 
till the summer of 1808. It was dedicated on the 1st day 
of August by Bishop Weaver, of Dayton, 0. His text 
was the twelfth verse of the thirteenth chapter of the First 
Pjpistle to the Corinthians : " For now we see through a 
gla.ss, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; 
but then shall I know even as also I am known." A bal- 
ance of debt incurred in building, which amounted to 
about S700, was liquidated by subscriptions taken at this 
meeting. The church is located at Bethel, on the State 
road, in section 25. Soon after the completion of the 
building a bell was procured and placed in the belfry. 

The membership at one time rose to over 100, and at 
present is about 40. There were revivals under the preach- 
ing of Revs. C. Crossland, D. Bender, R. T. Martin, J. 
Waldorf, Andrew Zuver, and J. N. Martin. 

The church is an appointment on the Branch Circuit, 
and belong-s to the North Ohio Annual Conference. 

The names of the pastors of this church from its organ- 
ization to the present time are Revs. Richard T. Martin, 

Andrew Zuver, J. W. Martin, Barnard, Richard T. 

Martin, Andrew iNIillor, Joseph Brown, C. Crossland, D. 
Bender, Joseph Waldorf, J. Johnston, S. W. Redman, J. 

Johnston, Richard T. Martin, McLouth, G. W. Hill, 

J. P. Kester, and J. Waldorf 

The present officers are Henry Frick, Cla.ss-Leader ; John 
C. Dubendorf, Steward ; L. W. Cure, John C. Dubendorf, 
George Zull, Thomas Clay, R. T. Martin, Trustees. 

A Sabbath-school was organized in the spring of 1858, 
which has kept up its organization until the present time. 
During the winter season its meetings have generally been 
suspended for a time. 

The first superintendent was George Misenar and the 
present one is Rev. R. T. Martin. 

In December, 1877, the late pastor. Rev. G. W. Hill, 
withdrew from the church, and was eventually, followed 
by about 20 of the members. The reason of this was that 
he held views and advanced ideas that did not accord with 
the established usages and doctrines of the denomination. 
He was subsequently tried for these offenses by the North 
Ohio Annual Conference at its meeting held at Poplar 
Grove, Fulton Co., Ohio, and the charges being sustained, 
his name was erased from the conference-roll for non- 
conformity. 






Samuel A.Whitcomb. 




|\/Irs.Anna |\i(.Whitcomb 



f f*M0T05-Br ffUIOWAR.V COLDWATEf? ; 




^i 



RS. Samuel A Whitcomb 



1 PRESENT WIFE 1 



' \ r 

Rev Samuel Whitcomb. 




RESIDENCE -fOF-SAMULL A. WHITCOMB, Kinderhook.Mich, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



291 



A class of the denoiuination known as the 

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION 

was organized at Bethel a year or two ago, and held regular 
fortnightly meetings at the school-house there. Tlieir pas- 
tor is Rev. Mr. White, wlio resides at Fremont, Ind. Their 
class-leader is Josiah Snyder, and John Kanouse is the 
steward. 

THE SOUTH BETHEL FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH 

was formed at the scliool-house in District No. fi, by Rev. 
Siia.s Ileadiey, in May, ISGU, with !) members. It grew 
out of a protracted meeting he liad commenced in March 
previous. 

The first oflScers were Austin Larabee, Deacon ; William 
T. Ammerman, Clerk and Treasurer. 

Rev. Silas Hcadley was the first pa.stor, and continued 
to supply the pulpit throughout the existence of tlie church, 
which was disbanded in 1864. 

THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH OF SNOW PRAIRIE 

was organized in January, 1871, by Rev. A. B. Taylor, 
with about 30 members. lie had been holding a series 
of meetings for some six weeks, which had been very suc- 
cessful. Ansel Norton and Austin Larabee were chosen 
deacons and Nicholas Vanalstine clerk. 

The services have been held regularly once in two weeks 



at the Methodist church. At present the membership is 
reduced to 10. 

The pastors have been Revs. A. B. Taylor, Henry Cod- 
dington, Calvin Cummings, R. Cooley, H J. Keeville, and 
William Taylor, the present incumbent. 

The deacons have not been changed, but Hiram Swan is 
the present clerk. 

The Sabbath-school at Snow Prairie is a union school, 
and was organized in April, 1852, by Deacon Upson, of 
Coldwater. Newman Canfield was the first superintendent, 
and Frederick Brook has held that position for several years. 
It now numbers about 40 .scholars. 

The burying-ground on the State road, in section 24, is 
the principal as well as the oldest one in the town. It was 
fornua-ly a part of the farm taken up by Otis Davis, in 
183G, and was given by him for a public burial-ground, if 
the citizens would clear and fence it. This tliey did, but 
the work was not completed and the deed given until 1853, 
when Richard Salsbur^', who then owned the land, deeded 
it to S. K. Burle.son, Levi Thomp.son, and Charles B. Lake, 
who were appointed to receive it. The present officers who 
have charge of it are Gordon Patch, I'residcnt ; Wm. T. 
Ammerman, Secretary ; Daniel Dubendorf, Treasurer. The 
first burial was that of Heman Lake, who died Aug. 24, 
1839. 

With this we close our sketch of Bethel's history, hapj)y 
if it shall receive the approval of its readers. 



KINDERHOOK. 



The township of Kinderhook is what is known as a 
fractional township, comprising but twenty-four sections, 
and lying on the southern border of the county on the In- 
diana line. It is known a.s township 8 south, range C west, 
and w;ls originally a part of Ovid, but the residents of the 
township being ambitious to form an individual organiza- 
tion, the portion now embraced in Kinderhook was set apart 
as a distinct township, with a separate civil government, in 
1842. There are various speculations as to the origin of 
the name. The correct facts having been given by one of 
the older residents, who held official position at the time, 
can be vouched for. The Van Buron presidential cam- 
paign was then at its height. A bill was presented to 
the Legislature praying that the portion of Ovid township 
set apart as a new township be granted a name. Several 
names, some of them more or less absurd, were proposed 
and voted upon, when one of the members facetiously sug- 
gested Kinderhook, the birthplace of Martin Van Buren, 
as not only appropriate, but ;xs a happy compromise. View- 
ing the matter in a humorous light, the name was voted 
upon and unanimously adopted, and ha,s since been borne 
by the township, though the result of the merest accident. 
Till! imjiression, which ha.s obtained some degree of ]iopu- 
larity, that it was called by some of the early residents 



after their native village in New York State is, therefore, 
an erroneous one. 

The following land was originally entered from the 
government, and is embraced in the present township : 

Jolin .Shaft, 40 acres, March 8, 1836. 
Joshua Baker, 80 acres, July 10, 1S.3G. 
Joshua Baker, 80 acres, July 10, lSo6. 
Joshua Baker, 80 acres, July 10, 1S3C. 
Alma H. White, 1.58.5.3 acres, July 19, 183(). 
Henry C. Lewis, 40 acres. Dee. 1.3, 1853. 
William B. Whitehead, 80 acres, March 30,.1836. 
B. Lanipson, 81.55 acres, April 21, 1836. 
B. Latnpson, 80 acres, April 21, 1836. 
B. Lampson, 80.65 acres, July 16, 1836. 
Silas Cram, 16.81 acres, June 16, 1837. 
Daviil Tift, 80 acres, Aug. 24, 1835. 
George Tripp, 69.65 acres, Dec. 7, 1835. 
George Tripp, 80 acres, Dec. 7, 1835. 
Boaz Lampson, 91.47 acres, April 21, 1836. 
Boa/. Lanipson, 80 acres, April 21, 1836. 
Joshua Baker, SO acres, Nov. 17, 1836. 
George Tripp, 69.70 acres, Jan. 17, 1838. 
lliram Canvvright, 80 acres, June 5, 1835. 
Boa/. Lampson, 80 acres, June 15, 1835. 
Natlian Look, SO acres, Sept. 5, 1835. 
George Matthews, 59.61 acres, Nov, 5, 1835. 
George Matthews, 40 acres, Nov. 5, 1835. 
Silas A. llulkruok, 80 acres, March 28, 1836. 



i££ 



292 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Joshua Baker, 40 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Joshua Baker, 80 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. 

George Terry, 40 acres, Feb. 1, 1837. 

William Chase, 40 acres, Nov. 21, 1845. 

Alma H. White, 40 iicres, July 19, 1S36. 

Aaron Bagley, 40 acres, Sept. 18, 1837. 

John Grooves, 40 acres, March 9, 1846. 

William Chase, 40 iicrcs, Aug. 20, 1846. 

John N. Chase, 67.72 acres, Feb. 4, 1848. 

A. C. Hough, 40 acres, Feb. 4, 1848. 

Ferilinantl Lewis, 40 acres, Aug. 21, 1848. 

Hiram Eildy, 80 acres, Aug. 18, 1849. 

lliniy C. Lewis, 80 acres, Dec. 16, 1853. 

William Chase, 40 acres, Sept. 13, 185.?. 

Henry C. Lewis, 40 acres, Dec. 16, 1853. 

Horace White, SO acres, April 20, 1S36. 

Kor-ice White, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Alma H. White, SO acres, July 19, 1836v 

Wiley K. Peirce, SO acres, March 17, 1837. 

Harvey G. Fox, 40 acres, Aug. 23, 1M4. 

Henry Lockwood, 40 acres, April 15, 185.?. 

William P. Morcy, 40 acres, June 20, 1853. 

Jacob Upp, 38.64 acres, Oct. 13, 1853. 

Eli Foglesang, 78.<»t iicres, Oct. 17, ISbX. 

Clinton B. Fisk, 40 acres, Oct. 21, 1853. 

C. C. Co.\, SO neves, Jan. I, lS3fi. 

C. C. Co.s, SO acres, Jan. I, 1S:!6. 

Nelson L. Bowen, SO acres, March 10, 1836. 

.lohn Lane, 75.37 acres, June 7, 1S37. 

John Boyrl, 75.55 acres, Oct. 24, 1846. 

Lorenzo D. Cripi)in, 40 acres, Oct. 21, 1850. 

A.aron Bennetf, 40 acrt^s, March 15, 1853. 

Clinton B. Fisk, 40 acres, April 2, 1853. 

James Fergnson, 40 acres, June 20, 1853. 

Samuel A. Whiteomb, 40 acres, Oct. 15, 1853. 

Clinton B. Fisk. 40 acres, Oct. 21, 1853. 

Howard Bradley, 58.24 acres, Jan. 21, 1S36. 

Joshua Baker, 54.23 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Joshua Baker, 94.59 acres, July 19, 1S36. 

Alma H. White, 128.66 acres, July 19, 1836. 

J. W. Curtis and De Grasse Thornton, 40 acres, Jan. 11, 1853. 

Henry C. Lewis, 37.89 acres, Dec. 10, 1853. 

Joshua Baker, — acres, June 5, 1835. 

A. B. Williams, 80 acres, June 5, 1835. 

A. B. Williams, 40 acres, June 5, 1835. 

Boaz Lampson, 109.65 acres, June 15, 1835. 

Boaz Lampson, 80 acres, Dec. 7, 1835. 

Sheldon Williams, 40 acres, Dec. 22, 1835. 

Howard Bradley, SO acres, Jan. 1, 1836. 

R.achel Williams, 40 acres, July 25, 1836. 

John Waterhouse, 40 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. 

Joshua Baker, 80 acres, Juno 5, 1S35. 

Joscjth Hawks, 151.54 acres, July 21, 1835. 

Oliver Johnson, 156.22 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. 

George Tift, 80 acres, Oct. 6, 1835. 

Wm. Martin, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Asa Parrish, 80 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. 

Hiram Green, 80 acres, Aug. 24, 1S35. 

Cortes Pond, 80 acres, Aug. 24, 1835. 

Cortes Pond, 40 acres, Aug. 24, 1835. 

Oliver Johnson, 40 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. 

Oliver Johnson, 80 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. 

Boaz Lampson, 160 acres, April 21, 1836. 

Boaz Lampson, 80 acres, April 21, 1836. 

Abraham Andrews, 80 acres, March 17, 1836. 

Jacob Hall, 80 acres, Nov. 27, 1835. 

Thomas Ilarborson, 160 acres, March 17, 1836. 

Lothrop G. Fish, 40 acres, March 23, 1836. 

Oliver M. Ross, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Joshua Baker, SO acres, July 19, 1836. 

Wm. Withington, 40 acres, Nov. 18, 1836. 

Dwight Gilmore, 80 acres. May 4, 1837. 

Dwight Gilmore, 40 acres, Dec. 21, 1849. 

F. T. Eddy, 40 acres. 

Joshua Baker, 80 acres, Dec. 22, 1835. 



Roger W. Helton, 80 acres, Feb. 25, 1836. 

John Voohres, 80 acres, March 17, 1836. 

Abram Andrews, 80 acres, March 17, 1836. 

Lothrop (i. Fish, 80 acres, March 23, 1836. 

William Martin, SO acres, July 16, 1836. 

Joshua Baker, SO acres, July 19, 1836. 

John Walter, 40 acres, Nov. 24, 1852. 

Oliver Johnson, 20.75 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. 

Joshua Baker, 160 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Abram Andrews, 154.31 acres, March 17, 1836. 

Joshua Baker, 8S.42 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Wm. Gardineer, 40 acres, Oct. 20, 1843. 

Isaac Eslow, 46 acres, Feb. 17, 1847. 

Charles M.Cooper, 40 acres, July 15, 1835. 

Charles M. Cooper, 46.42 acres, July 15, 1835. 

Clark C. Baker, 40 acres, Dec. 22, 1835. 

L. D. Crippin, 74.42 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Oliver Burdick, Jr., 42.23 acres, Nov. 1, 185.3. 

Oliver D. Corbin, 57.75 acres, Nov. 1, 1853. 

Hiram R. Aldcn, 111.46 acres, Dec. 15, 1853. 

Oliver Burdick, Jr., 29 acres, Feb. 24, 1854. 

Joltu Waterhouse, 135.58 acres, Aug. 8, 1837. 

,lohn Waterhouse, 80 acres, Nov. 14, 1845. 

A. G. Gray, 10 acres, March 6, 1852. 

Asa Waterhouse, 40 acres, Feb. 14, 1S53. 

Asa Waterhouse, 40 acres, March 14, 1853. 

A. C. Burdick, 40 acres, June 2, 1853. 

A. Flint, 40 acres, Sejit. 10, 1853. 

Wm. Low, 40 acres, Nov. 2, 1853. 

Oliver Burdick, 40 acres, Nov. 2, 1853. 

J. R. Graves, 40 acres, Feb. 9, 1854. 

Oliver Burdick, Jr., 40 acre.s, March 16, 1S54. 

J. H. Groves, 40 acres, April 15, 1854. 

Willis M. Bowen, SO acres, Dec. 22, 1835. 

Hiram Baker, SO acres, Dec. 22, 1835. 

Jacob Peer, 121.22 acres, Dec. 22, 1835. 

Willis M. Bowen, 46.80 acres, March 10, 1836. 

Willis M. Bowen, 42.15 acres, March 10, 1836. 

Willis M. Bowen, 78.77 acres. May 4, 1S36. 

Wm. Ingalls, 75.13 acres, July 13, 1838. 

Jesse Smith, 308.54 acres, Feb. 23, 1836. 

Benj. Tucker, 160 acres. May 26, 1836. 

Ashcr Moon, 51.40 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Harvey G. Fo.\, 73.32 acres, Aug. 23, 1844. 

John De Pue, 79.74 acres, Jan. 23, 1836. 

Asher Moon, 171.60 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Ashcr Moon, 86.79 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Dennis De Pue, 85.86 acres, Nov. 3, 1835. 

Asher Moon, 125. 6S acres, July 19, 1836. 

Asher Moon, 85.90 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Wm. Bancroft, 53.70 acres, Sept. 12, 1835. 

Dennis De Pue, 99.11 acres, Nov. 3, 1835. 

H. D. Mason, 57.20 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. 

L. D. & P. H. Crippin, 329.54 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Joshua Baker, 250.21 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Ellery Patterson, 90.95 acres, Sept. 16, 1841. 

Roger W. Holton, 80 acres, Feb. 25, 1836. 

Joshua Baker, 89.32 acres, July 19, 1836. 

James 0. Mason, 88.01 acres, Nov. 19, 1846. 

James 0. Mason, 40 acres, Feb. 9, 1847. 

John Walter, 40 acres, June 17, 1853. 

It is our purpose to give the record of township officers 
only since the organization of Kinderhook, though in 
tracing the first settlement and following the course of 
emigration it will be necessary to recall an earlier date, 
when its neighbor, Ovid, claimed the territory it now 
covers. The oldest living resident of the township is 
George Tripp, who may be regarded, if not absolutely the 
first settler, as among the first who came and made a per- 
manent location here. He left his home in Otsego Co., N. Y., 
in 1835 and located in Branch County, purchasing 190 



m^ 



'^miMs^g: 





ENOS M'CHAEL. 




FARM :4^ RESIDENCE of ENOS] 




MRS. ENDS /VIICHAEL. 




AEL, KINDERHOOK.MiCM. 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



293 



acres oil sections ."! ami 4 in tlio present township, and at 
that time a part of Coldwntcr. In 1837, Ovid was set apart 
from the orij^inal township, and hiter, Kinderhooic was de- 
clared an independent orj;anization. When Mr. Tripp 
arrived, the country was an unbroken wilderness, vast 
stretches of timber land greeting the traveler's eye. There 
were no roads and no suggestions of civilization, and indeed 
no indiealioTi of the presence of a white inhabitant other 
than that afforded by an occasional log house, so entirely 
isolated to be practically beyond the reiich of any neigh- 
borly courtesy. Another indication of life was found in 
the Indian trail followed by tlie tribes in their westward 
wanderings, and used for a time as a highway until more 
improved opportunities of travel were introduced. 

Here Mr. Tripp erected a log house, which, rude as it 
was, afforded shelter for himself and family, and was to them 
a home embracing all the comforts absolutely necessary to 
their primitive life. The wolves at this time could be dis- 
tinctly heard at night, and deer and wild turkey were so 
abundant as to iiave lost all sense of fear, and were fre- 
(juently seen feeding with the cattle. Mr. Tripp was soon 
followed by his brother David, who, in lSo(), located on the 
north-central portion of section 4, where he died after a 
useful life, during which time he filled many offices of tru.st 
in the township. Ills son, Lester Tripp, who came with 
his father in 1S;J6, now resides on the old homestead. 

Three families had already located here when Mr. Tripp 
arrived, — Joshua Baker, Sheldon Williams, and Boaz 
Lampson ; the latter having located on section 9, and until 
his death filled many responsible oflnces in connection with 
the township. His widow subsequently located on land 
embraced in section 3, and at present owned by Henry 
Knauss and Charles D. Brown. In 1836, John Water- 
house came from Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., and purchased 
the land surrounding the present Kinderhook post-office. 
Tlie presence of Mr. Waterhouse and his family formed the 
nucleus around which a little settlement grew, and derived 
additional importance from the fact that a po.st-office was 
established, a school-house built, and much business actively 
introduced into the hamlet. As a matter of deference to 
its founder, it was by common consent known as Waterhouse 
Corners. It is now known as 

KINDERHOOK POST-OFFICE, 

and boasts two churches, a Baptist and Methodist Episco- 
pal, each of which lias a parsonage with the pastor residing 
in it ; a school-house, with 3Ir. Langworthy as the teacher 
in charge of the school ; one physician. Dr. B. D. Jocelyn, 
who is in active practice, and another. Dr. David Fox, who 
has given up the busy cases of the profession for a business 
life ; one store, kept by 0.sborn & Jones, Mr. Osborn being 
also the courteous postmaster ; one blacksmilli-sbop, kept 
by John D. Cornell ; one wagonmaker ; one shoemaker, 
David Patterson ; and a machine-shop and cider-mill. 

BAPTIST CIIUKCn. 

The first organization of a Baptist Church in Kinderhook 
occurred in 1837, and embraced 12 members, with the llev. 
Freeraaii Burroughs acting as pastor. He was succeeded 
by Rev. E. 11. Spear. When the township was divided 



the church was transferred to North Ovid, and the town- 
ship was without a Baptist Church until the ])rcsent regular 
Baptist Church of Kinderhook wa.s organized, Oct. 25, 
1856. The constituent members were Hiram McNall, 
John Stokes, I'olly Stokes, Charles II. Levering, and Betsey 
Levering. The first pastor was Elder (jieorge Terry, who 
ministered to the charge until 1860, when he was followed 
by Elder Needham, who remained but one year, and was 
succeeded by Elder H. C. Schofield, who continued as pa.s- 
tor until 1862, and his successor, Elder Benjamin JIcLouth, 
officiated until 1867. Elder W. N. Welker came after him 
and continued two years, and was succeeded by Elder H. 
K. Stiiiipson in October of that year, who labored in the 
field until Aug. 19, 1871, when Elder O. D. Taylor was 
installed as pastor, Jan. 6, 1872, and remained until Jan. 
1, 1873. On the 29th of March, 1S73, Elder Nathan 
Wright .succeeded, and filled the pulpit for one year. After 
him came Elder A. Virgil in May of 1875, who resigned 
Aug. 29, 1S7G. Rev. J. C. Lemon was called as pastor, 
Jan. 13, 1878, for one year. The present incumbent is 
Rev. A. W. Gower, who was settled Feb. 23, 1879. The 
first meeting for the eli^ction of a board of trustees was 
held Dec. 23, 1867, and the following officers chosen: 
Daniel Hoyt, Alfred Cheney, Hiram McNall, William 
Chase, George Tripp, and E. J. Welker. 

METHODIST CHURCH. 

We regret to be obliged to omit the history of the Meth- 
odist Church of Kinderhook other than the few meagre 
facts at command. An effort was made to obtain a history 
of the organization from some older church members and 
from the pastor without success. In the winter of 1836- 
37, Israel Millard, an exhorter, connected with what was 
known as the Coldwater Circuit, formed the first class of 
the Methodist Church in Kinderhook. Preaching was 
supplied by the Coldwater Circuit for a period of eight 
years until Nov. 15, 1845, when the Gilead Circuit was 
set apart and organized, and the class of Kinderhook in- 
cluded in this circuit. Rev. George Smith being presiding 
elder at the time, and Rev. Peter Sabin, circuit preacher. 
The class has from that time continued to increase in num- 
bers and influence until a flourishing cliuich organization 
is the result. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. George. 

John Waterhouse died in 1867 ; but his son, John 
W^aterhouRC, Jr., survives, and still resides at what was 
known as the Coiners. Though a gentleman of advanced 
years, he retains a vivid recollection of pioneer days and 
his early experiences. He has been active during his long 
life in promoting enterprises for the growth of the town- 
ship, and has occupied many official positions, having been 
postmaster fi)r nearly thirty years. 

The year IS'.'A't is memorable not only for the advent of 
many families who became permanent settlers, and largely 
identified with the interests of the township, but for the 
erection of the first school-house. This building, though 
erected by public enterprise, was no departure from the 
prevailing style of architecture of those primitive times, 
but was built of logs, and its inmates were subjected to all 
the discomforts incident to .so rude and unfinished a struc- 
ture. We are, however, informed that the pupils — l(;w in 



294 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



number — made rapid progress under the direction of the 
pioneer pedagogue, one Samuel Arnold, who was the first 
instructor ia the viciaity. This rude school building, which 
stood near the place now occupied by the Baptist Church, 
later gave place to one of more considerable proportions. 
The first religious meeting was iield April 18 of the same 
year at the house of Joslma Baker, the oflBciating clergy- 
man being Israel Willard, a Methodist exhorter. Services 
at this early period were held at the homes of the settlers, 
there being no houses of worship at that early day. 

The writer has made considerable effort to ascertain 
the first death in the township, and has received from 
different sources, facts which conflict. From one source we 
learn that the death of Miss Ann Lock was the first that 
occurred. She was a young lady of seventeen years, and 
resided with her family on a farm located on section 4. 
From another source we learn that the first death was that 
of a child of Lucas Withington ; and one informant brings 
several circum.stances to corroborate the statement, men- 
tioning among other facts that the family resided in a log 
house on the farm now occupied by Amos Flint, and that 
at this funeral were present sixteen ox-teams and one team 
of horses owned by John Waterhouse, and which were 
regarded not only as a novelty but a positive luxury in 
those days. Notwithstanding the detailed statement of 
our latter informant, we are inclined to the belief that there 
is an error with regard to time and not to facts, and that 
the first statement may be regarded as correct. 

The first marriage service was performed by George Tripp, 
Esq., then justice of the peace, in June, 1837. The parties 
made happy on this occasion were Mr. David Sines and 
Miss Craft. We are not informed by the justice what fee 
he received, but it was doubtless in keeping with his pioneer 
surroundings. 

Joseph S. Hawks came from Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1836, 
and located one mile from the corners, and nearly at the 
geographical centre of the town.ship. His farm was bor- 
dered by Silver Lake. Mr. Hawks, afler a long and useful 
life, during which time he filled a considerable position in 
the township history, died in the fall of 1868. His widow 
still survives him and resides near the post-oiEce, and her 
recollections of pioneer life are very interesting. When she 
arrived in the county, her husband and herself, accompanied 
by a young lady, rode from Toledo on a wagon laden with 
goods which were designed as a part of their housekeeping 
equipment. Their path, if not rough and thorny, proved 
at least a very muddy one, for during the progress of the 
journey the wagon tipped over, and this episode has afforded 
Mrs. Hawks to this day a very lively recollection of the 
quality of the Michigan soil. At one time the water across 
the road was so deep that Mr. Hawks was obliged to ford 
the place with Mrs. Hawks under his arm. With the busy 
cares attending the first settlement these inconveniences 
were soon forgotten, and are only now recollected as among 
the novel experiences of pioneer life, and related for the 
diversion of inquiring friends. Mr. Hawks with his family 
returned to the East after a four years' residence in Kinder- 
hook, or Ovid as it was then called, and after remaining ten 
years moved again to his Western possessions. With all the 
deprivations incident to their first settlement, the family 



were not only again attracted to Michigan, but found the 
charms of a Western life superior to the comforts they had 
left behind. 

Among the names that figure conspicuously in the town- 
ship records, the bearers of which may be regarded as among 
the oldest residents, is that of Silas Eret, who came to the 
township before it was set apart from Ovid, and located 
upon section 24. He later purchased and now resides on 
section 14. Mr. Eret, by perseverance and industry, has 
gained a competence, and has followed farming pursuits 
during his lifetime, having been actively engaged in thresh- 
ing in early days. Mr. Eret has vivid recollections of the 
deprivations endured by the pioneers, and regards the diet 
of those days as more frugal than luxurious, and sometimes 
not so abundant as was desirable. 

A. W. Case, who died in 1877, came from Livingston 
Co., N. Y., very early, and located on the northeast portion 
of section 3, and may be regarded as among the first pio- 
neers of the township. William Chase came from Genesee 
Co., N. Y., and located in the north-central portion of the 
county, on section 4. Having been a pioneer in New York 
State, he was inured to the hardships involved in the first 
settlement of a new country. He was by trade a carpenter 
and joiner, and though following agricultural pursuits dur- 
ing his lifetime, never relinquished his trade. He is the 
architect of both the Methodist and Baptist churches, and 
turned his skill to good account in many other instances. 
Besides many minor oflfices in the township, Mr. Chase, in 
1860, represented his district in the State Legislature. His 
memory is well stored with interesting facts gathered from 
an experience of nearly forty years. A life of industry 
has gained for him an abundance to which he was a stranger 
in early days. 

John V. Chase and family came from Genesee Co., 
N. Y., in 1848, and they have since that time lived on the 
farm he at first purchased, where Mr. Chase died in the 
fall of 1878. 

Samuel N. Whitcomb came from Vermont to this State 
in 1840, but did not at once come to Branch County. He 
chose the township of Kinderhook as his home, and located 
on section 5, where he still resides. He cannot be regarded 
as a pioneer, but is quite familiar with the early history 
of the locality, and has an extended military experience, 
having served in the Mexican war and also in the Rebellion, 
where he passed through some bitter experiences as a pris- 
oner at Andersouville, but they have not obliterated from 
his memory still earlier experiences as an early settler in 
this State. 

Another pioneer is Henry Huyck, whose advent in the 
county occurred in 1844, having been in the State two 
years before choosing his present home. He remembers 
distinctly the early struggles of the pioneer and the depriva- 
tions he endured. Mr. Huyck frequently appears on the 
records as the incumbent of offices of trust. 

Charles D. Brown came to the township when it was still 
a part of Ovid and the country was one vast wilderness. 
No roads had been cut, and the Indian trail, consisting of 
blazed trees, was the only guide that directed the traveler. 
The land he and his father purchased, it was impossible to 
reach until tlioy had fought their way through the den.se 





(iEORlJK TliU'P. 

GEORGE 

/Vmong tiie lionored few wlio by their energy and ' 
industry luid (he foundation oi' tlic ])resent wealtli 
and enterprise of Bi'mik-Ii County, none deserve more 
prominent mention tiian George Tripp. He was j 
l)orn in tiie town of Decatur, Otsego Co., N. Y., 
April 10, 1809. Ilis fatiier, David Tripp, was 
among tlie prominent men for wliieii Otsego is justly 
noted. lie was a member of tlie ivpresentativt; 
brancii of tiio Legislature of New York for several 
terms, and served in nianv other official capacities 
with fidelity to the trust reposed in iiim and with j 
credit ^o himself. lie married Miss .Mary Dii'kin- | 
son, and reared a family of fifteen chiltlren, ten 
girls and five iroys. George lived in Otsego County 
until lieattaine<l his majority, when he went to tSara- 
toga County ; whence, after a stay ol' five years, he 
moved to Genesee Co., N. Y. There he stayed mitil 
1835, when he decided to emigrate to Michigan, and 
came accordingly to Kindcrhook, and purchased the 
farm where he now resides. At that lime there were i 
only three permanent settlers in the town, none of 
whom are now living, thus leaving Mr. Tripp the 
oldest living resident of the town. Mr. Tri|)p wa-s 
at this time unmarried, and at the ex|)iratiou of two 
years lie paid a visit to tiie old home in ( )t.sego 
County, and on his return lie married, in Livingston 




TKirp. 

Co., N. Y., Mi.ss ilary, daughter of William and 
Lovis (Humphrey) Winans. Returning to his new 
homo with his yoiuig wife, they commeneetl the 
im])rovemeiit of tlie farm. Life at this early day 
was beset witii many obstacles and rei)lete with 
privations and lKii'dshi|)s, of which they had a full 
])ortion. 

Mrs. Trij)p was lioni in Ivensselaerville, Albany 
Co., N. Y., Fel). (), 1812. She is a splendid type 
of tile pioneer woman, and is in fact all that is 
expressed in liu; term "amiable and intelligent." 
Tins venerable couple have had two sons, Judson 
and (leorge, both of whom are deceased. 

Mr. Tripp has been proiiiiiiently identified with 
the development of Kinderhook. He has filled 
many jiositions of trust and responsibility to the 
satisfaction of his fellow-citi/.ens. He wa.s the first 
township clerk; has l)cen justice; the latter office he 
filled acceptably many years. Mr. Tripp is emphat- 
ic^llv a self-made man. Starting in life with only 
his natiu'al resources for his cajiital, he has achieved 
success and secured a com])efeuce, the residt of a long 
life of strict integrity and honorable deeding. His 
record is untarnished, and he has earned the |K)sition 
he holds among the pioneers and representative men 
of Brancli County. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



295 



timber-land with axe in hand. Mr. Brown, however, soon 
cleared this tract, and ultimately not a vestige of its former 
wild condition was to bo found. He is a .skillful hunter, 
and hi.s stories of deerstalking in early times would delight 
the ears of the modern hunter. On one occasion, having, 
as he supposed, killed a deer, he proceeded with his knife 
to dress him for food, when the buck recovered from the 
shock the wound had given him and sprang upon him. 
None but an experienced hunter understands the ferocity 
of the deer when driven to defense. A fierce conflict was 
the result, and for a time the chances of life with the cour- 
ageous marksman were extremely uncertain, when finally 
a dexterous use of the knife dispatched his opponent ; not, 
however, until he had inflicted .sundry wounds as memen- 
tos of the struggle. Later, Mr. Brown removed from his 
original location and purchased his present farm, which is 
not only large, but well cultivated. 

Another old resident is John Boyd, familiarly known 
as Father Boyd, who is now advanced in years, and can 
distinctly recall a life of thirty-five years iii Kinderhook, 
and has during that period resided upon the farm he at 
present occupies. Calvin Strong is also an early settler, 
and numbers more years than Mr. Boyd above mentioned. 
He had a succession of unfortunate experiences during his 
early life in Branch County, but has survived thcni all and 
reached the good old age of eighty-two years. John Brad- 
ley may with truth be spoken of as one of the pioneers of 
Branch County, having come to it in 18I54 from Wayne 
Co., N. Y. Having lived for two years in Ovid, he later 
came to Kinderhook and located on the farm he still occu- 
pies He relates some interesting encounters with wild 
animals during the early settlement of the country, and 
entertains a lively recollection of an encounter with a bear 
in which he bore away all the trophies of victory. 

Oliver Burdick came in 1845, purchasing the mills built 
by John Waterhouse and improving them. He located 
on section 1(1, one mile south of the post-oflice. A. Mosher 
came to the State in 1835, and to the township in 184G. 
With the exception of an interval of a few years, he has 
resided there since that time. Hiram Canvight came early 
and located on section 4, and Ira Bonner settled on section 
,7. lie has been dead many years. William Johnson 
located on section 10, on the farm now occupied by James 
llichey. His father resided on section 3. Timothy Clark 
owned a tract of land on section 6, which he improved and 
lived upon. Calvin Strong came in 1843 and located on 
what is known as Strong's Island, in the northwest portion 
of the township. Jacob Mineer established himself on the 
extreme northwest corner, and William Lewis occupied for 
years the farm now owned by Martin Manger. He was a 
prominent official in the township, having for years held the 
honorable position of ju.stice of the peace. Abram Walter 
owned a f'aiin in the extreme southea.st, and established a 
reputation as a succ(-ssful farmer. 

Hiram McNall, who died .some years since, eanic in the 
fall of 1842, and purchased 40 acres on section 11. By 
industry and frugality he increased his possessions until his 
fiirm numbered 300 acres. 

Another old resident was Oliver D. Colvin, who was a 
citizen of much prominence. 



We have thus given a brief review of many of the older 
settlers in the township, not attempting by any means to 
make the list a thorough one, and perhaps omitting some 
names quite as deserving of mention that have not been 
suirgested to us. Most of these individuals, with their 
families, have endured privations and want, and by perse- 
verance and toil succeeded in bringing the township of 
Kinderhook to the degree of prosperity it now enjoys. 
Though having the reputation of being the smallest of the 
townships of Branch County, it is by no means the most 
inconsiderable in imjiortance or enteri)rise. 

The surface of Kinderhook is rolling, with stretches of 
level land varied by occasional slopes and interspersed with 
several small lakes, chief of which are Silver Lake, Crooked 
Lake, Fish Lake, Sabine Lake, Pleasant Lake, Lake George, 
and a portion of Coldwater Lake on the northern boundary 
line. There is considerable marshy land, but the quality 
of the remainder is excellent. The soil is a sandy, gravelly 
loam, with very little clay. There is not a superabundance 
of timbered land, and oak is the prevailing wood, although 
other varieties are to be found. 

Coldwater being within easy reach of the residents of 
the township, and the roads usually in excellent condition, 
it absorbs the larger portion of its mercantile patronage. 
There is no hotel in the township, the wayfarer generally 
finding a welcome at the inviting home of any or all of the 
townspeople, where hospitality is regarded as one of the 
cardinal virtues. The temperance sentiment is strong in 
Kinderhook, and no traflBcker in ardent spirits finds favor 
in the eyes of its virtuous residents. 

The first annual election was held in the township on 
Monday, the 4th day of April, 1842. Oliver D. Colvin 
and George Tripp were, in accordance with the statutes, 
authorized to act as inspectors of election, and John AVa- 
terhouse, Jr., was elected as a third inspector. 

We give the result of this election, together with each 
succeeding one to the present time : Oliver D. Colvin, Su- 
pervisor ; George Tripp, Township Clerk ; Almeron W. 
Case, Treasurer; William Cliase, Ira Bonner, David Tripp, 
Justices of the Peace ; EUery Patterson, George Tripp, 
Inspectors of Schools ; Isaac Eslow, John D. Dcpue, Arba 
L. Lambson, Highway Commissioners ; Bentley Reynolds, 
Lathrop G. Fish, Directors of the Poor; Ira Bonner, Jr., 
Hiram Canwright, David Tripp, Ira Bonner, Jr., John 
Waterhouse, Jr., John Bradley, L. G. Fish, D. Colvin, 
Overseers of Highways. 

1843. — George Tripp, Supervisor ; William Chase, Town- 
ship Clerk; Almeron W. Case, Treasurer; Oliver D. Col- 
vin, David Tripp, Asses.sors ; Ellcry Patterson, Augustus 
P. Tucker, Inspectors of Schools ; Isaac Eslow, John D. 
Depue, Hiram Canwright, Commissioners of Highways ; 
George Tripp, Justice of the Peace; Alba L. Walworth, 
Lathrop G. Fish, Directors of the Poor ; Alfred Lambson, 
James Winter, Arba L. Lambson, Constables; David Tripp, 
Assessor ; Arba L. Lambson, Freeman Waterhouse, Charles 
Home, John Waterhouse, Augustus P. Tucker, I<]llery 
Patterson, Overseers of Highways; Oliver D. Colvin, Ira 
Bonner, William Chase, Inspectors of Election. 

1844. — Oliver D. Colvin, Supervisor; William Cha.se, 
Township Clerk ; Almeron W. Case, Treasurer; David Tripp, 



296 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Joseph S. Hawks, Assessors ; Oliver D. Colvin, Justice of 
the Peace ; James H. Hugenen, School Inspector ; Alba 
L. Walworth, Augustus P. Tucker, Norman Van Winkle, 
Highway Commissioners; William Withington, John John- 
son, Directors of the Poor; Anson Hough, Arba L. Lamb- 
son, William P. Lawrence, Edwin Witliington, Constables; 
Ebenezer P. Stuart, Freeman Waterhouse, John Bradley, 
Ira Canwright, Augustus P. Tucker, Ellery Patterson, 
Dewitt McKinstry, Overseers of Highways; Oliver D. 
Colvin, George Tripp, Wm. Chase, Inspectors of Election. 

1845. — Oliver D. Colvin, Supervisor; William Chase, 
Township Clerk ; Luman Gibbs, Treasurer ; John D. Depue, 
Justice of the Peace ; Joseph T. Hawks, Ira Bonner, As- 
sessors ; Almeron W. Case, School Inspector ; David 
Tripp, Lyman Tripp, Samuel A. Towsley, Highway Com- 
missioners ; A. Bonner, C. Havens, Overseers of the Poor ; 
Dwight H. Gilmore, Harmon Towsley^A. Bonner, Hiram 
Canwright, Constables ; Dwight H. Gilmore, Ira Bonner, 
Jr., Freeman Waterhouse, Hiram Eddy, Dwight C. Mc- 
Kinstry, Joseph Towsley, Samuel A. Towsley, Henry Her- 
rick, James 0. Mason, Overseers of Highways ; Ira Bonner, 
George Tripp, Oliver D. Colvin, Inspectors of Election. 

1846. — Oliver D. Colvin, Supervisor; George Tripp, 
Township Clerk ; William Cha.se, Deputy Clerk ; Luman 
Gibbs, Treasurer; James 0. Mason, School Inspector; 
Joseph S. Hawks, Arba L. Lamb.soii, Assessors; Alvinza 
Bonan, Constable. The record further than this is incom- 
plete. 

1847. — David Tripp, Supervisor; A. W. C;ise, Clerk; 
Luman Gibbs, Treasurer ; P. C. Hopkins, Justice of the 
Peace; Henry Huyck, Joseph Hawk, Assessors ; William 
Cathcart, School In.spector ; Ira Bonner, Jr., Calvin Strong, 
Orange Potter, Highway Commissioners ; Luman Gibbs, 
Joseph Towsley, Directors of the Poor ; Henry Huyck, 
Luman Gibbs, Orange Potter, Constables ; Curtis Williams, 
H. McNall, Wm. F. Waterhouse, Hiram Eddy, William 
Chase, S. Whitcomb, J. Waterhouse, Jr., Aaron Dobson, 
Edwin Withington, James Winters, Overseers of High- 
ways. 

1848. — Oliver Burdick, Jr., Supervisor; James H. 
Hugenen, Township Clerk; Henry P. Huyck, Treasurer; 
Daniel Ent, Justice of the Peace; Wm. F. Waterhouse, 
School In.spector ; John D. Depue, Hiram Canwright, 
John Waterhouse, Jr., Highway Commissioners ; Luman 
Gibbs, Jo.seph Towsley, Overseers of the Poor; Luman 
Gibbs, Asher Ent, Hiram Towsley, An.son Hough, Con- 
stables; H. N. Walworth, P. C. Hopkins, H. Canwright, 
D. Tripp, D. C. McKinstry, J. B. Potter, A. T. McCanry, 
John Groves, Henry Huyck, A. W. Case, Geo. D. Avery, 
Overseers of Highways. 

1849. — David Tripp, Supervisor; George Tripp, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Henry F. Huyck, Treasurer ; Samuel A. Whit- 
comb, Oliver D. Colvin, Arba L. Lambson, Justices of the 
Peace ; William Cathcart, School Inspector ; Calvin Strong, 
Highway Commissioner ; Daniel Ent, Joseph S. Hawks, 
Directors of the Poor ; A. P. Cutter, Alex. Cole, Hiram 
Towsley, Avery Ferguson, Constables ; Solon Cathcart, A. 
W. Case, D. C. McKinstry, Samuel A. Whitcomb, Abraham 
Gray, Daniel Ent, Joseph S. Hawks, Overseers of High- 
ways. 



1850. — Oliver Burdick, Supervisor; George Tripp, 
Township Clerk ; Henry F. Huyck, David Tripp, Justices 
of the Peace ; Solon M. Cathcart, School Inspector ; Silas 
Ent, William Chase, As.ses.sors; L. J. Gibbs, John Johnson, 
Timothy Clark, John D. Depue, John Groves, Silas Ent, 
James K. Howell, Wm. F. Waterhouse, Overseers of High- 
ways. 

1851. — Oliver Burdick, Jr., William Waterhouse, Jr., 
Township Clerks ; William Chase, Treasurer ; John V. 
Chase, Highway Commissioner; David Tripp, Willard H. 
Pond, School Inspectors ; William Lewis, Justice of the 
Peace ; Baldwin B. Waterhouse, Director of Poor ; John 
Groves, William R. Pierce, William Chase, B. B. Water- 
hou.se, Constables ; William Lewis, A. W. Case, Samuel A. 
Whitcomb, Abram Gray, Oliver Burdick, Stephen Kirby, 
Alfred A. Bates, Overseers of Highways ; Oliver Burdick, 
George Tripp, Abram L. Lambson, Inspectors of Election. 

1852. — Oliver Burdick, Supervisor; William Chase, 
Township Clerk ; Joel D. Lindsay, Justice of the Peace ; 
Lewis Whitcomb, School Inspector; A. Flint, Archibald 
Dunn, Highway Commissioners; David Tripp, John Water- 
house, Overseers of the Poor ; William R. Pierce, Andrew 
J. Critchfield, Willard H. Pond, Silas Ent, Constables; 
Archibald Dunn, Almeron M. Case, John Waterhouse, 
Samuel Whitcomb, Abram Gray, John Groves, Stephen 
Kirby, Alfred C. Bates, Timothy Clark, Joseph S. Hawks, 
Overseers of Highways; Oliver Burdick, Oliver D. Colvin, 
Wm. F. Waterhouse, Inspectors of Election. 

1853. — Oliver Burdick, Supervisor; William Chase, 
Township Clerk: Almeron W. Case, Treasurer; John D. 
Depue, Justice of the Peace ; James K. Howell, School 
Inspector ; Archibald Dunn, Highway Couiini.ssioner ; 
Daniel Tripp, John Waterhouse, Jr., Directors of the 
Poor ; Alexander Odiin, Myer Rutter, Orange Potter, 
Abram L. Reamer, Constables ; Hiram Canright, A. W. 
Case, A. Flint, Avery Ferguson, Wm. R. Pierce, Angelo 
Dobson, Abraham Holbroke, Lester Tripp, Timothy Clark, 
H. F. Huyck, Overseers of Highways; Oliver Burdick, 
S. A. Whitcomb, Wm. Chase, Inspectors of Election. 

1854. — David Tripp, Supervisor; Wm. Chase, Township 
Clerk ; Almeron W. Case, Treasurer ; George Tripp, Oliver 
D. Colvin, Justices of the Peace; Ambrose C. Burdick, 
School Inspector; John V. Chase, John Walter, High- 
way Commissioners ; David Tripp, Edwin Withington, 
Directors of the Poor ; Ale.i. Colvin, Lester Tripp, Alvin 
C. Lawrence, Nehemiah Rutter, Constables ; Peter Grico, 
A. W. Case, John Waterhouse, John Bradley, Wm. R. 
Pierce, Joel D. Lindsay, John Walter, A. C. Lawrence, 
Calvin Strong, H. F. Huyck, Overseers of Highways. 

1855. — Oliver Burdick, Supervisor; William Chase, 
Township Clerk ; A. W. Case, Treasurer ; William Lewis, 
Justice of the Peace ; James K. Howell, School Inspector ; 
Daniel Hoyt, Highway Commissioner; David Kipp, Alfred 
S. Bates, Directors of Poor ; Alvin C. Lambson, Nehemiah 
H. Rutter, Farmer Gapp, James Groves, Constables ; Hi- 
ram Canwright, A. W. Case, Le.ster Tripp, A. Ferguson, 
Wm. 11. Pierce, N. H. Rutter, James K. Howell, Freeman 
Waterhouse, Calvin Strong, Oliver D. Colvin, Overseers of 
Highways. 

1856. — David Tripp, Supervisor; Wm, Chase, Township 




. ^ 



f 



^ f£^. 



/^'\ 



,1 




HON. WILLIAM CHASE. 



In compiling the history of the townsliip of Kin- 
derhook, we find that the subject of this narrative 
has been prominently identified with all its interests, 
and to such an extent that it would not be complete 
without a sketch of his life. He was born in the 
town of Westford, Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 12, 
1815. He was the son of John Chase and Lucy 
Houghton, both natives of the "green mountain 
State." When William was eight years of age his 
father removed with his family to Genesee County, 
where he died at the age of sixty-three. William 
was thrown upon his own resources at an early age, 
and his educational advantages were limited to the 
district school. At the age of twenty he learned the 
trade of a carpenter and joiner, and followed it many 
years. 

In 1839 he was married to Miss Marcia M. Flint 
of his native county, where she was born Nov. 16, 
1815. Two years after their marriage they came to 
Kinderhook, and purchased the farm upon which 
they now reside. 

Mr. Chase's settlement in Kinderhook was prior to 
its organization as a town, in which he took a promi- 



nent part ; and was elected its first justice, which 
office he filled acceptably eight years. From that 
time until his age and business cares forbade his 
serving his constituency, he faithfully filled many 
positions of trust and responsibility. In 1860 he 
was elected to the Representative branch of the 
Legislature. For seven years he was superintendent 
of the poor, and for eight years represented the town 
upon the Board of Supervisors, officiating as chair- 
man in 1860, where he was considered a valuable 
and efficient member. For over thirty years he 
served his town, county, or district in some official 
capacity, and his record as a public officer is un- 
tarnished and worthy of emulation. He is a man 
entirely devoid of ostentation. Industrious, eco- 
nomical, possessed of good judgment and keen per- 
ception, and as a consequence successful ; he is enjoy- 
ing a competency the result of a long life character- 
ized by strict integrity and honorable dealing. Mr. 
Chase is emphatically a self-made man. He has 
won success in all departments of life, and is an 
example of tlie capabilities of character and man- 
hood. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



297 



Clerk ; John Watiilumsi", Sr., Treasurer ; James K. How- 
ell, Justice of the Peace ; Ambrose C. Burdick, School In- 
spector; John Walter, Highway Commissioner; Allied 8. 
Bates, Israel Lucas, Directore of Poor; Alfred S. Bates, 
Lafaj'cttc Hodges, Silas Knt, John J. licwis. Constables ; 
Peter Grioe, A. W. Case, Israel Lucius, John Bradley, 
Abram Gray, Lafayette Hodges, Willard Howell, Henry 
F. Huyck, Stephen Huiigerford, Timothy Clark, Overseei-s 
of Highways. 

1857. — William Chase, Supervisor ; David Trijip, Town- 
ship Clerk ; John Wutcrhousc, Sr., Treasurer ; Oliver D. 
Colvin, Justice of the Peace ; Amos Flint, School In.speetor ; 
Peter Grice, D. Ent, Directors of Poor ; Hiram Canwright, 
Freeman Waterhousc, Nehemiah H. Butter, Wm. Doty, 
Constables; Peter (Jricc, Israel Lucas, Lewis Buck, Abram 
Gray, Lafayette Hodges, Edwin Withington, Henry Hoyt, 
Robert Lucas, Henry F. Huyck, Stephen Hungcrford, 
Overseers of Highways. 

1858. — William ('ha.se, Supervisor ; Farmer Gaff, Town- 
ship Clerk ; John Waterhousc, Treasurer ; Oliver Burdick, 
David Tripp, Justices of the Peace ; Henry 0. Hodges, 
School Inspector ; De Witt Hoyt, Henry F. Huyck, High- 
way Commis.sioners ; Alfred C. Bates, Farmer Gafl, Di- 
rectors of Poor; Theodore Lucas, William Doty, M. P. 
Mott, Hugh Harrison, Constables; Hiram Norton, Jona- 
than Frow, Israel Lucas, David John, Ahrani Gray, N. K. 
Rutter, Seth Hansford, George Tripp, Calvin Strong, J. 
S. Hawks, Hiram Canwright, Overseers of Highways. 

1859. — Wm. C'hase, Supervisor ; George Tripp, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Daniel Hoyt, Treasurer ; William Black, Enos 
Michael, Wm. Lewis, Justices of the Peace ; Lindly H. 
Gripman, School Inspector; Hiram Norton, Highway Com- 
missioner; Alfred S. Bates, Abram Gray, Directors of 
Poor ; Noah Jones, Woodbury Sooks, George Whiteomb, 
Joseph Miller, Constables; Joseph Miller, A. W. Case, 
Israel Lucas, Wm. H. Black, Abram (iray, N. H. Rutter, 
John Walters, Henry Hoyt, Jacob Tripp, Henry F. Huyck, 
A. C. Lawrence, Overseers of Highways. 

ISGO. — Wm. Chase, Supervisor ; (ieorge Tripp, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Daniel Hoyt, Treasurer ; Stephen Ilungerford, 
School Inspector ; Enos Michael, William Lewis, Justices 
of the Peace ; Jcdin Walter, Highway Commissioner ; John 
W. Stokes, Joseph Miller, Noah F. Jones, George W. Whit- 
comb, Constables; Hiram McNall, Wm. Miller, Noah H. 
Jones, A. Ferguson, John Graves, N. K. Butter, Abram 
Walter, Henry Hoyt, Timothy Clark, Jo.seph S. Hawks, A. 
C. Lawrence, Overseers of Highways. 

1861. — Stephen Huiigerford, Supervisor; Z. G. Osborn, 
Town Clerk; William Walters, Treasurer ; L. Gripman, 
School Inspector ; Enos Michael, Justice of the Peace ; A. 
S. Bates, A. Gray, Directors of Poor ; N. H. Jones, J. 
Miller, S. Skales, U. Gripman, Constables; Hiram Norton, 
A. W. Case, Rollin Flint, John Bradley, Robert Goodliff, 
John W. Stokes, David L. Phenicic, Henry Hoyt, H. F. 
Huyck, Frank S. Spraguc, Overseers of Highways. 

18tj2.— George Tripp, Supervisor; Z. G. Osborne, Town- 
ship Clerk ; William Walters, Treasurer ; George Tripp, 
Justice of the Peace ; U. Gripman, School Inspector ; 
Abram Gray, Highway Commissioner; John Camjibell, 
Rollin Flint, David Boyd, J. \V. Stokes, Constables; Peter 
38 



Grice, A. W. Case, Rollin Flint, John Bradley, Adam 
Ireland, J. W. Stokes, David Miller, M. E. O.sborne, Myron 
Strong, Jo.seph Hawks, Charles Brown, Overseers of High- 
ways. 

1863. — George Tripp, Supervisor; William Chase, Town- 
ship Clerk; Noah H. Jones, Treasurer; Samuel ,\. Whit- 
comb, Justice of the Peace ; David Boyd, School Inspector ; 
Charles D. Brown, Highway Commissioner; L. B. Brown, 
Henry Gripman, Jacob Burk, M. E. O.sborne, Constables; 
Peter Grice, A. W. Case, Rollin Flint, Watson Burk, 
Adam Ireland, Silas Ent, A. Walters, H. Hoyt, Timothy 
Clark, Jos. Hawks, Chester Porter, Overseers of Highways. 

1864. — William (Miase, Supervisor; Zelotes G. O.'^borne, 
Township Clerk; Noah H. Jones, Treasurer ; Charles D. 
Brown, Justice of the Peace; Uriah Gripman, School In- 
spector; Joseph S. Hawks, Highway Commissioner; L. 

B. Brown, Jo.seph Miller, Albert Flint, David John, Con- 
stables ; J. W. Sweetland, Abraham Mosher, Noah Jones, 
S. A. Whiteomb, Wm. W. Case, Charles Rifehie, D. L. 
Phenicie, Lester Tripp, M. W. Strong, Hiram Colvin, A. 

C. Lawrence, David Ferine, Overseers of Highways. 
1865. — William Chase, Supervisor; Z.G. Osborne, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Noah H.Jones, Treasurer; Enos Michael, James 
Richey, Justices of the Peace; David Boyd, School Inspec- 
tor; Joseph Miller, Highway Commissioner; Noah Jones, 
Peter Outwater, Jjindley Gripman, Joseph Miller, Consta- 
bles ; Peter Grice, N. H. Jones, Watson Burk, John Burk, 
N. H. Butler, Abram Walters, Geo. Tripp, Timothy Clark, 
Joseph Hawks, Freeman Waterhousc, Alpheus Mclntyre, 
Overseers of Highways. 

1866. — William Chase, Supervisor; Amos Flint, Town- 
ship Clerk; James Richey, Treasurer; George Tripp, James 

D. Conklin, Justice of the Peace; Uriah Gripman, School 
Inspector; William Branyan, Highway Commissioner; 
Marvin C. Munger, William Branyan, George Brovfn, 
William H. Lemmon, Constables; J. Alexander, George 
Brown, Samuel Whiteomb, Thomas May, 0. N. H. Butler, 
David Miller, Z. G. Osborne, Harley Jones, Henry Huyck, 
M. C. Munger, Dana Perrine, Overseers of Highways. 

1867. — William Chase, Supervisor; Amos Flint, Town- 
ship Clerk ; James Richey, Treasurer ; Wesley Reynolds, 
Joseph Miller, Justices of the Peace ; Wm. H. Lemmon, 
School Inspi'ctor; Noah H. Jones, Highway Commissioner; 
Albert Flint, Jacob Terry, Chas. B. Taylor, Constables ; J. 
W. Sweetland, N. H. Jones, Uriah Gripman, Thomas 
Mugg, Woodbury Stokes, K. Rowlson, Z. G. Osborne, 
Harley Jones, Jo.seph S. Hawks, Isaac Richey, Dana Per- 
rine, Overseers of Highways. 

1868.— Amos Flint, Supervisor; James Richey, Town- 
ship Clerk; Z. G. Osborne, Treasurer; Harley Jones, 
School Inspector; Charles D. Brown, Highway Commis- 
sioner; Wm. II. Ijenimon, Justice of the Peace; Albert 
Flint, David L. Phenicie, John W. Stokes, Erastus J, 
Welker, Constables; Chas. Alexander, Noah H. Jones, 
S. A. Whit«omb, David Johns, Enos Michael, Abram 
Walters, Z. (J. Osborne, Chxs. B. Taylor, Hiram Colvin, 
Isaac Richey, J. J. Crandall, Overseers of Highways. 

1869. — Amos Flint, Supervisor; James Richey, Town- 
ship Clerk; Z. (!. O.sborne. Tresisurer ; Hnos Michael, 
Charles D. Brown, Justices of the Peace ; John J. Cran- 



298 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



dall, School Inspector; Z. G. Osborne, Highway Commis- 
sioner ; Noah H Jones, Sylvester Jones, John J. Crandall, 
Ira Flint, Constables ; J. P. Alexander, N. H. Jones, 
Samuel Whitcomb, Thomas Magg, Enos Michael, Joseph 
Langworthy, Henry Hoyt, Alva Jones, Joseph Hawks, 
Jas. D. Conkling, John Baohman, Overseers of Highways. 

1870. — Amos Flint, Supervisor ; James Richey, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Z. G. Osborne, Treasurer ; Geo. Tripp, Enos 
Michael, Justices of the Peace ; Harley Jones, School In- 
spector ; Noah H. Jones, Highway Commissioner ; Noah 
H. Jones, Joseph Miller, John W. Stokes, John Flynn, 
Constables; John Flynn, John V. Chase, Samuel A. 
Whitcomb, Wm. W. Case, Enos Michael, Daniel Melends, 
Henry Hoyt, Alva Jones, Silas Ent, A. C. Laurence, John 
Bachman, Overseers of Highways. 

1871. — Amos Flint, Supervisor; William Chase, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Wallace Clark, Treasurer ; Samuel A. Whit- 
comb, Justice of the Peace ; David Fox, School Inspector ; 
Charles D. Brown, Highway Commi.ssioner ; Alvin D. 
Bonner, Noah H. Jones, Overseers uf Highways. 

1872. — Z. G. Osborne, Supervisor ; Wm. Cha.se, Town- 
ship Clark ; Wallace Clark, Treasurer ; Cluis. G. Brown, 
Justice of the Peace ; David L. Phenicic, Scliool Inspector ; 
John V. Chase, Highway Commissioner ; Lindley Gripman, 
Drain Commissioner ; Noah H. Jones, Elmer Boyd, Horace 
Stocking, Levi Riggles, Constables ; Royal Alexander, Wal- 
lace Clark, S. A. Whitcomb, Daniel Wedge, Enos Michael, 
Ellis C. Mandy, George Tripp, Harley Jones, Moses Hawks, 
M. C. Munger, John Bachman, Overseers of Highways. 

1873. — Z.G.Osborne, Supervisor; William Chase, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Wallace Clark, Treasurer ; Enos Michael, Jus- 
tice of the Peace ; Amos Flint, School Inspector; Noah H. 
Jones, Highway Commissioner ; Enos Michael, Drain Com- 
missioner ; Noah H. Jones, Levi Riggles, Horace Stocking, 
D. L. Phenicie, Constables ; Hiram Adams, Wallace Clark, 
Harlo S. Parmalee, Henry Quint, Enos Michael, D. L. 
Phenicie, Henry Hoyt, Timothy Clark, Silas Ent, James 
Richey, Wm. Hunt, Overseers of Highways. 

1874. — Enos Michael, Supervisor ; James Richey, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Wallace Clark, Treasurer ; Enos Michael, Al- 
bert Flint, Justices of the Peace ; David Fox, James D. 
Conkling, School Inspectors; Charles Richey, Highway 
Commissioner ; Enos Michael, Drain Commissioner ; Peter 
Outwater, John Flynn, Noah H. Jones, Judson Bradley, 
Constables; John Babb, Wallace Clark, S. A. Whitcomb, 
John Burk, Enos Michael, David Miller, Alfred S. Bates, 
Alva Jones, Silas Ent, Marvin C. Munger, Wm. Hunt, 
Overseers of Highways. 

1875. — Not recorded. 

1876. — Z. G.Osborne, Supervisor; James Richey, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Wallace Clark, Treasurer ; Martin S. Upp, 
Justice of the Peace ; Lindley Gripman, School Inspector ; 
Martin Upp, School Superintendent; Alva Jones, Drain 
Commis-sioner and Highway Commissioner ; John D. Cor- 
nell, Noah H. Jones, Judson Bradley, Wm. W. Case, Con- 
stables ; James P. Alexander, Wallace Clark, Henry Hoyt, 
Thomas Osborn, Judson Bradley, John Burk, Daniel Hoyt, 
Samuel Kanauss, Enos Michael, Dana Perrine, Overseers 
of Highways. 

1877. — Zelotus G. Osborne, Supervisor; James Richey, 



Township Clerk; Wallace Clark, Treasurer; David L. 
Phenicie, Justice of the Peace ; Martin L. Upp, School 
Superintendent ; L. H. Gripman, School Inspector ; Noah 
H. Jones, Highway Commissioner; John D. Cornell, Wil- 
liam Walters, Thoma,s Osborn, Judson Bradley, Constables ; 
Charles D. Brown, Henry Hoyt, Elmer Bond, Uriah Grip- 
man, Ira A. Flint, Daniel Hoyt, Silas Ent, Barney Ding- 
man, Enos Michael, Christopher Whistler, Overseers of 
Highways. 

1878. — Z. G. Osborne, Supervisor ; James Richey, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Samuel Knauss, Treasurer ; Albert Flint, Jus- 
tice of the Peace ; Lindley Gripman, Superintendent of 
Schools ; Harlo S. Parmalee, Drain Commissioner ; Abra- 
ham Walter, Highway Commissioner; John D. Cornell, 
Judson B. Bradley, George N. Jones, Barney Dingman, 
Constables ; George Ely, Wallace Clark, Henry Hoyt, 
John N. Norcott, Lindley Gripman, William Case, Albert 
Flint, James Patterson, William Crooser, Enos Michael, 
William Hunt. 

With this brief sketch we take leave of one of Branch 
County's most progressive townships, wishing it all the 
prosperity that earnest industry and steady virtue will surely 
bring to it. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

ENOS MICHAEL. 

Enos, son of Philip and Susannah Michael, was born in 
the town of Su.squehanna, Dauphin Co., Pa., Nov. 4, 1824. 
The elder Michael was a weaver by occupation, and gave 
his children such advantages as his limited means would 
allow. Enos was the eldest in a family of thirteen children, 
eleven of whom grew to maturity. He learned the trade 
of a weaver and dyer, which occupation he followed several 
years subsequent to his emigration to Tremont, Ind., in 
1848. In 1858 he moved upon the farm where he now 
resides, which embraces four hundred and seventy-five acres 
of highly-productive land under a high state of cultivation, 
a view of which is presented elsewhere in this work. 
LTpon his removal to Kinderhook he at once took a prom- 
inent and influential part in the political afl'airs of the town. 
He was elected justice of the peace, and filled the office 
acceptably until 1878. In the years 1875 and 1876 he 
represented the town in the Board of Supervisors, where he 
was considered an able and efficient member. 

Mr. Michael is one of the prominent and successful 
farmers of the county, and in connection with his agricul- 
tural operations he is extensively engaged in the real estate 
and loan business, which reaches into Ohio, Indiana, and 
Michigan. 

In 1848 he married Mi.ss Barbara Dunkle, of his native 
county, where she was born July 14, 1825. She is one of 
the most thrifty, energetic, and industrious of women, and 
in every sense a worthy helpmeet. 

Politically, Mr. 31ichael is a Republican ; religiously, a 
Methodist. All in all, he is one of those public-spirited, 
enterprising men whose identification with any eoinmunity 
is always productive of good. 




KJ^< ^ 




Photos. l)y E. Kindmark, CoMwuter. 



MRS. M. M. CASE. 



-f?^^'- <^^"««" 



ALMERON WEBSTER CASE. 



ALMERON WEBSTER CASE. 



Tliis gentleman, for many years one of tlie es- 
teemed and valued citizens of Kinderhook, was 
born In Living.ston Co., N. Y., Feb. 6, 1808. He 
was the son of Lieutenant and Polly (Webster) 
Case, who had a family of four children, — three 
boys and one girl. The maternal grandfather of 
our subject, Aaron Webster, was a Eevolutionary 
soldier, and served as a scout under General Put- 
nam. He fought through the war, and settled in 
Livingston Co., N. Y., where he died at an ad- 
vanced age. 

Lieutenant Case, our subject's fiither, was a soldier 
in the war of 1812, and was killed in the battle of 
Lundy's Lane, July 25, 1814. But little is known 
of his history, farther than that he was a brave 
soldier and a valued citizen. Almeron was reared 
by a maternal uncle, and worked at his trade 
of a carpenter and joiner many years. 

Li 1836, Mr. Case was united in marriage with 
Miss Marcia M. Tripp, of Decatur, Otsego Co., 
N. Y., where she was born May 13, 1813. They 



remained in Livingston County one year, when 
they decided to emigrate to Michigan, Mrs. Case's 
brothers, George and David Tripp, having already 
located there. Upon his arrival in Kinderhook, 
Mr. Case purchased from the government one hun- 
dred and twenty-five acres of land, now the prop- 
erty of Walter Musselwhite. Here he i-esided 
until his death, in November, 1877. 

The life of Mr. Case was comparatively un- 
eventful. Unostentatious, he shunned rather than 
courted political preferment. Socially he was 
genial and courteous, winning the regard of all 
with whom he came in contact. He was a man 
of much public spirit, and his hospitality was 
proverbial. His whole life was devoted to his 
family and his business, and in his death Kinder- 
hook lost a valuable citizen. Three children were 
born to him, and of them two died in infancy. 
The remaining child, Mrs. Walter Musselwhite, 
was born in A])ril, 1849, and was married in 
March, 1866. 





JOSEPU S. HAWKS. 



MRS. NAOMI HAWKS. 



JOSEPH S. HAWKS. 



This gentlemiin, for imuiy years one of the promi- 
nent farmers and valuable citizens of Kinderhook, was 
horn in Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 19, 1814. 

His grandfather, Daniel Hawks, emigrated from 
Worcester Co., Mass., in 1788, and settled in Otsego. 
He had taken an active and zealous part in the 
struggle for independence, and iiad lost an ample 
fortune in upholding the credit of the government. 
He bore an active and influential part in the political 
affairs of the county, and for eight years represented 
the district in the State Legislatui'e. He died at the 
ripe old age of eighty-three years. 

Moses Hawks, father of our subject, was also 
prominently identified with the county. He married 
Catherine Striken, and reared a family of six children, 
Joseph being the eldest. 

The early life of Mr. Hawks was uneventful, and 
marked by few incidents Siive such iis occur in the 
lives of most men. 

He remained with his father until lie was twenlv- 



two years of age,when he was married to Miss Naomi 
Potter, of Burlington, Otsego County, where she was 
born June 24, 1813. Shortly after their marriage 
they came to Kinderhook, and purchased from the 
government one hundred and fifty-seven acres of 
land on Silver Lake, where he resided until his death, 
Oct. 5, 1874. He was a model fanner, and was 
prominently identified with the development of the 
town, and his name is indelibly stamped upon its 
early history. He was one of those men whose con- 
nection with any community is always productive of 
good, — a man of broad charity, generous liberality, 
and manly honor. 

In politics he was a Republican, but had no desire 
for political preferment, the cares of his family and 
his business receiving his whole attention. Mr. and 
Mrs. Hawks were blessed with two children, both of 
whom are living in Kinderhook. Mary C, the eldest, 
was born in Otsego ; Moses L. was born in Kinder- 
hook. 



HISTOliy OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



299 



SILAS K\T. 

This gentleman, iiiii' of llu' old .settlors ol' Kinik'iliO(jk, 
was born in Essex Co., N. J., Nov. 20, 1H20. lie was tlie 
son of EiiDcli and Susan (Gorden) Ent, wlio had a family 
of eiirht childroii. Whon Sila.s was four years of age his 
father emigrated with his family to Cayuga Co., N. Y. 
After remaining there six years, lie went to Livingston 
County, tarried there about the same length of time, and in 
18S5 removed to Micliiiran with his family, settling in 
Wayne County. Thence he pa.sscd over to Lenawee County, 
where he died. Silas remained in Washtenaw County, but 
upon the decca.se of his father went to Ijcnawce. In 1842 
he came to Kindeihook, and in company with his brother 
David purchased eighty acres of land in the southeast part 
of the town. They were successful in their operations, and 
to the first purchase added two hundred and forty acres. 
In 1869 they purchased tlu; pro]>erty where Silas now re- 
sides, a view of which is presented on another page, and 
which is justly considered to be one of the most valuable 
and productive farms in the town. In 1850, Mr. Ent 



niaiiicd Miss lioui.sa Dobson, of Iviudcrhook. She was 
born in Lorain Co., Ohio, in April. 1832. They have been 
blosseil with a family often (children, five of whom are now 
living. Mary (now Mrs. lli'nry Flint) was born Jan. 1, 
1851. Ella was born in September, 1858, and died in 
1854. Eleanora w;us born in December, 1854, and died 
Oct. 21, ISG."!. Hattie L. w;us born in March. 1857, and 
is now the wife of Charles Smith, of Kinderhook. Floyd 
was born March, 18ti0, and died in August, 1863. Florine 
was born in September. IS(;2. Aldera was born December, 
1864. Viola was born October, 1807. Ernest was born 
January, 1872, and died in infancy. Mr. Ent has never 
sought political (irefermeiit. preferring the retirement of his 
farm, and devoting his life to matters of personal concern. 
He started in life with only his natural resources for his 
capital, and by his own energy and industry has secured a 
competence, and although his life has been comparatively 
uneventful he has won a proud position in the history of 
Kinderhook, and is in every way worthy of the place as- 
.signed him among the old settlers and best men of Branch 
County. 





DAVID TKII'l 



MR.S. D.Win TRIPP. 



DAVID TKII'l'. 

was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., July 1, 1807 ; son oi' David 
Tripp, a prominent man of that county, who raised a family 
of fifteen children, of whom the subject of this sketch was 
the tenth. In 1829 he married Miss Sally Flint. They 
removed to Branch County in 1836, with their two chil- 
dren, settled in what is now the town of Kinderhook, and 
commenced the arduous task of making a farm from the 
unbroken forest. Upon this farm Mr. Tripp resided until 
Oct. 2, 1875, when he departed this life, leaving a wife 
and two children, — Lester H., who lives on the old home- 
stead, and Helen E., now Mrs. J. Wesley Brown, of Cold- 
water. 

Folitieally, Mr. Trijip was a Democrat, and a warm sup- 



porter of General Grant during the late war of the Rebel- 
lion. He held several offices of trust, among which were 
supervisor and justice of the peace fur .several terms. 



SA.MIKL A. WlllTCtiMH. 

Samuel A. Whitcomb was born in the town of North- 
umberland, Saratoga Co., N. Y., March 4, 1815. He was 
the youngest of the family of Samuel and Nancy (Jacobs) 
Whitcomb. which consisted of eight children. In 1835 
the elder Whitcomb emigrated to Michigan, and settled on 
Cook's Prairie, Calhoun Co., where he lived many years. 
He was a Baptist minister, preached in different parts of 



300 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the county, and was everywhere known as an estimable man 
and a devout and consistent Christian. 

At the age of seventeen Samuel was apprenticed to the 
trade of a tanner and shoemaker. At twenty he purchased 
his time of his employer, and had a balance of two shil- 
lings and sixpence, with which to start business for him- 
self. In 1839 he came to Michigan, and purchased in 
Kinderhook one hundred and .sixty acres of land, after- 
wards a part of his present farni. He worked at his trade 
for about five years, and employed a man to improve the 
farm. In 1854 he was married to Miss Anna Mugg, of 
Steuben Co., Ind. She died in 1872, and in 1876 he was 
married to Mrs. Mary E. Turner. 



Mr. Whiteoinb is one of the successful and enterprising 
farmers of Branch County. To his first purchase of one 
hundred and sixty acres he has added over five hundred. 
Commencing life at twenty, with a capital of two shillings 
and sixpence, his success i.s an evidence of what can be 
done by energetic industry and good management. In his 
political belief, Mr. Whitcomb is a sincere Republican and 
an inveterate enemy of human slavery in every form. He 
was formerly an Abolitionist, and voted the first Abolition 
ticket polled in Kinderhook. A friend of improvements, 
every enterprise having for its object the advancement of 
the interests of his town finds in him a generous sup- 
porter. 



B U T L E E. 



Butler, the northeast corner township of Branch 
County, is designated by the first survey as township No. 
5 south, of range No. 5 west. Its boundaries are Calhoun 
County on the north, Hillsdale County on the east, Quincy 
and Girard townships respectively on the south and west. 

Its surface is a rolling upland, which, with the exception 
of some 300 acres of oak-openings, known at an early day 
as Shook's Prairie, was covered originally with a dense, 
heavy growth of timber. 

The water-courses are' St. Joseph River, Hog and Te- 
kon.sha Creeks. The former takes its rise from Quaker 
Lake, and flows north, crossing section 1. Hog Creek 
enters the township east of the centre on the south border, 
and, flowing in a northwest course, leaves it south of the 
centre on the west border. Tekonsha Creek rises in the 
north part of the township, and flowing westerly, crosses 
the northwest corner. 

Quaker Lake, comprising an area of about 150 acres, is 
situated upon section 12. 

The soil is of a productive quality and similar to that of 
surrounding townships. The people are chiefly engaged in 
agricultural pursuits, and are noted, many of them, for their 
proficiency in and the encouragement given the practice of 
wrestling. 

The township contains a total area of 22,042 acres, and 
in 1874 had a population of 1389 inhabitants. 

FIRST LAND ENTRIES. 

Jonathan Hart, of Washington Co., N. Y., who after- 
wards settled in Calhoun Co., Mich., entered the first lands 
in this township July 25, 1835. His purchase included a 
part of section 1. 

During the months of October and November of the 
same year, Lyman Rogers, Solander Rossman, Levi Man- 
ley, Ambrose J. Nicholson, Jeremiah Bennett, Robert 



Wood, Jacob Devoe, Jacob Shook, Jr., and Benjamin 
McVey became purchasers. All the remaining lands in 
the township were bought of the general government sub- 
sequent to Jan. 1, 1836. 

The following list embraces the names of the original 
owners of the township : 

Section 1, 1835.*— Jonathan Hart, David F. Farley, 
Fitzalan Gardner, John Hart, William D. Popple, Samuel 
L. Howard, Joseph Merritt. 

Section 2, 1835. — Lyman Rogers, Jacob Rosecrantz, 
John Redfield, Robert Brown, David F. Farley, Asher 
Treadwell. 

Section 3, 1835. — Lyman Rogers, Nelson Rogers, Jacob 
Rosecrantz, Henry Bowers, Abraham Letts, Benjamin 
Richards. 

Section 4, 1836. — Henry Bowers, Joseph Gibbs, Victor 
D. Riggs, Abraham Letts, Jr., Orrin Stringham, Orseno 
Hadlock, Cook & Waldron. 

Section 5, 1836. — Michael Briggs, John S. Rockwell, 
Nelson Aldrich, Jedediah Tompkins, James V. Burch, 
Charles Curtis, Orrin Stringham, Russell Aldrich, Michael 
Briggs ^ 

Section 6, 1836. — Michael Briggs, Artemus Humeston, 
Ira Dennis, Ira Sheldon, Porter Sherman. 

Section 7, 1836. — George Briggs, Michael Briggs, John 
S. Rockwell, Artemus Humeston, Timothy A. Hopkins. 

Section 8, 1836. — Abraham Letts, John S. Rockwell, 
William Stearns, Levi Mead, William Letts, Jr., John 
Tompkins, Delia Jane Curtiss, James B. Tompkins. 

Sections, 1836. — William Stearns, David Decker, Benj. 
Bader, Benjamin Richards, John Fabritjue, David Patter- 
son, Linus Weller. 



* The figures denote tbe j'ear the first purchase was made upon 
each section. 




Residencl or SILAS ENf. Kinderhook. Michigan 




HISTORY OK BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



■M)] 



Section HI, 183(j. — John S. Heath, Amy Liviiigstdii, 
Henry Rowers, Fanny Stearns, Alexander Coon, John S. 
Heath, Milton Barney. 

Section II, 1835. — Solander Ros.snian, Natlian Haren- 
den. Nelson Rogei-s, John Hart, David I''. Farley, Hirani 
Ward, Jonathan Hart. 

Section 12, 1835. — Levi Manley, Solander llossnian, 
David F. Farley, Joseph Merritt, John M. B. Woatherwax, 
David Deeker, Jonathan Hart. 

Section 13, 1835. — Ambrose J. Nicholson, John A. 
Wright, Solander Rossman, Sylve.ster W. Hotchki.s,s, Ed- 
ward Tyler, ElLsha Thornton, John M. B. Weatherwax. 

Section 14, 1836. — Abram Failing, David Lindsay, 
Henry Bowers, Henry Van Giesen, Henry S. Lampman, 
Nelson Rogers, Sanford Lacy, Calvin Cha.se, Azar H. Day- 
ton, David Lindsay. 

Section 15, 1836. — Abrara Failing, Jo.seph Failing, 
David Lindsay, John P. Parker, Amy Livingston, John 
Parker, Jacob Rosecrantz, Benj. Rogers. 

Section 16, 1852.— R. D. Warner, D. L. Burbank, H. 
R. Calkins, W. H. Weller, Sidney H. Dolph, W. L. Warren, 
Ira S. Warren, A. Smith, Hugh Welch, Charles Howe, I. 
Ilaight, Abram Smith. 

Section 17, 1835. — Jeremiah Bennett, Andrew Hunting- 
ton, Jr., Milton Barney. 

Section 18, 1836. — Jacob W. Mann, Thomas Powell, 
Michael Briggs, James B. Tompkins, Robert Rowley. 

Section 19, 1836. — -Jacob W. Mann, Stephen Grant, 
Peries Lincoln, Milo White. 

Section 20, 1836. — Charles Butler, James D. Merrill, 
Milo White. 

Section 21, 1836. — George Biggs, Linus Evarts, Jr., 
Oscar Howell, Eliza L Weatherwax, David Patterson. 

Section 22, 1836. — Charles Kennedy, Robert Brown, 
Oliver Allen. 

Section 23, 1836. — Jeremiah 0. Dennis, Linus Evarts, 
Jr., Jacob Norris, Benjamin Bader, Dan Casey, Henry 
Shelp, John P. Cook, Henry Waldron. 

Section 24, 1836. — Jno. A. Holmes, John A. Wright, 
John T. Wisner, Ansel Nichols, Enos G. Berry, Parley M. 
Shelp, Cook & Waldron. 

Section 25, 1835.— Robert Wood, Robert Brown, Wil- 
liam Remington, John T. Wi-sner, John G. Shelp (sou of 
Henry). 

Section 26, 1835. — Robert Wood, Jacob Devoe, Jacob 
Shook. 

Section 27, 1835. — Jacob Shook, Jr., Henry Churchill, 
Linus Evarts, Jr., Henry P. Alexander, John M. B. 
Weatherwax. 

Section 28, 1836. — Alexander Frasier, Lewis Post, Letts 
& Weatherwax. 

Section 29, 1836.— Charles Butler, James D. Merrill, 
David Riley, Nathan Baker. 

Section 30, 1837. — Asa White, Smith W. Nel.xjn, Elisha 
Thornton, Thomas Holmes, John Warner, John Bush. 

Section 31, 1836.— Dwight Smith, Edmund Howell, 
Lorenzo D. Crippen, Philo H. Crippen. 

Section 32, 1836. — Owen Coleman, Franklin Lakey, 
John T. Weatherwax, Dwight Smith, Edmoiid Howell, 
David Patterson, Joseph Weatherwax, Jacob O. Bureh. 



Section 33, 1836. — Owen Coleman, Richard E. Gay, 
Franklin Lakcy, Linus Evarts, Jr., Daniel S. Bagley, John 
M. B. Weatherwax, Elisha Thornton, Henry II. Pennock, 
Abraham P. Lampman. 

Section 34, 1836. — Solomon Wood, Henry Churchill, 
Jacob Shook, Jr., Jacob Snyder, William Dayton, Obed 
W. Wright, James Ashton. 

Section 35, 1835. — Robert Wood, Smith Bowen, Solo- 
mon Wood, Jacob Snyder. 

Section 36, 1835.— B. J. McVey, Robert Wood, Jesse 
Bowen, Solomon Wood, John T. Wisner, Jacob Shook, Jr., 
Jacob Snyder, Jesse Bowen, Asa C. Bowen. 

FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 

The reader will observe, by referring to the list of " land 
entries," that a few tracts of land were purchased in the 
township in the fall of 1835. Settlements had been estab- 
lished in all adjoining townships some four or five years 
previous to the latter date. But the heavy timber growth 
which covered all its surface, except some three hundred 
acres of openings on sections 26 and 27, or " Shook's 
Prairie," seems to have deterred very early settlements in 
township 5 south, range 5 west. And the smoke from 
the rude fireplace of the first log cabin did not ascend 
above the tops of the gigantic trees which surrounded it, 
until the spring of 1836. Caleb Wilcox, the first settler, 
came from Wayne Co., N. Y., and settled upon section 2. 
He did not purchase his land of the government, but, it is 
supposed, of John Redfield. After a residence of some 
two or three years he sold out to Charles C. Hayes, and 
removed from the township. 

Jacob Shook, Jr., and Robert Wood, also from Wayne 
Co., N. Y., settled in the southeast part, a few days later 
than Wilcox. Both of them had visited the township in 
the fall of 1835, and each had purchased large tracts of 
the choicest land. Mr. Wood, the brother of Solomon and 
Richard S., both well-known pioneers of Quincy and But- 
ler, remained here until 1839, when, having sold out his 
land interests to John T. Wisner and S. L. Willmer, he 
removed farther West, and is now a resident of St. Louis, 
Mo. 

Jacob Shook, aged eighty-six years, a veteran of the war 
of 1812, still resides in the township in which he settled 
forty-three years ago. For many years he was one of the 
most prominent men in Butler, and as highway commis- 
sioner, assessor, supervisor, and county judge, has .served 
his constituents worthily in all these capacities. He owned 
at one time 800 acres, and the locality known as " Shook's 
Prairie" derived its name from him. In the fall of 1836 
he was joined here by his father, Jacob Shook, Sr., a 
soldier of the Revolution. A year or so later the elder 
Shook met with a painful death by the accidental discharge 
of a rifle, which was set by him (Shook, Sr.) for the pur- 
pose of killing deer. This was the first death to occur in 
the settlement. 

George Lockwood, a native of Dutche.ss Co., N. Y., at 
an early age settled with his father's family in Wayne 
County of the same State. In November, 1836, he arrived 
in this township, imrchasod 12(1 acres of land of Robert 
Wood, and engaged to pay for the same by payiiii: down a 



302 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



certain amount of money and working two years for Wood 
at farm labor. At the expiration of fifteen month.s Wood 
sold out his lauds and other interests, together with Lock- 
wood's unexpired time, to Wisner & Willmer, for whom 
Mr. Lockwood finished his contract. Mr. Lockwood now 
resides on the fine fiirm thus purchased. His present 
residence, the first stone dwelling-house erected in the 
township, was built in 1836. He married Mi.ss Louisa 
A. Rice in February, 1839, — theirs being the second mar- 
riage celebrated in Butler township. 

Nov. 26, 1835, Solander Rossman purchased lands of 
the government situated upon sections 11 and 12, and, late 
in the fall of 1836, became a resident of Butler (then 
Girard township). 

Isaac Rossman, the father of Thomas J., Solander, and 
William, came from Vermont and settled in Sterling, Cay- 
uga Co., N. Y., in 1815. In 1832, the brothers, Thomas 
J. and Solander, settled in Homer, Calhoun Co., Mich., 
and were joined there in 1833 by their father and brother 
William. Thomas J. became a resident of Butler in the 
spring of 1837, and his father (Isaac) and younger brother 
(William) in 1839. 

Henry S. Lampman, a native of Greenville, Green Co., 
N. Y., was born in 1810. In 1816 his father's family settled 
in Danby, Tompkins Co., N. Y., and there suffered all the 
privations in common with other families in that region 
during the summer following the cold season of 1816. 
After a residence of eleven years in Tompkins County, the 
family returned to Green Co., N. Y. 

On the 13th day of October, 1831, Mr. Lampman left 
his home in Green County, and by boat proceeded up the 
Hudson River to Albany, thence by railroad to Schenectady, 
riding on the first twelve miles of railroad constructed in 
the United States. From Schenectady he traveled via the 
Erie Canal to Bufl^alo, which he purposed as the farthest 
limit of his journey. But meeting with some congenial 
spirits in the latter city, who were traveling to Detroit, he 
was induced to accompany them to that city by a lake 
steamer. From Detroit he walked to Kalamazoo County, 
and worked at lumbering during the winter of 1831-32. 
In the spring of 1832 he went to Washtenaw County and 
worked at brick-making for one year, and here he married 
Miss Iluldah Bonner, of the latter county. 

During the spring of 1833, Mr. Lampman made a jour- 
ney to Chicago, which he says then contained but three 
framed houses, and he there made the bricks for the first 
brick house ever erected in Chicago. In the fall of the 
same year he returned to Homer, Calhoun Co., where he 
remained until December, 1836, when he settled in Butler. 
He purchased 80 acres upon section 14, which he has 
cleared and brought up to its present fine state of cultiva- 
tion, and upon which he at present resides. Mr. Lampman 
was elected a highway commissioner at the first township- 
meeting, and has .served with honor in other official capaci- 
ties since that time. 

At the time of Mr. Lampman's settlement, the only 
families then residing in the township were those of Caleb 
Wilcox, Jacob Shook, Jr., Robert Wood, and Solander 
Rossman. Elder David Lindsay, from Onondaga Co., 
N. Y., had visited the township in the spring of 1836, 



purchased lands situated upon sections 14 and 15, and, with 
the assistance of neighbors who resided in Homer, had rolled 
up the body of a log house, but he did not .settle with his 
family until in the spring of 1837. 

Daniel Shook — a brother of Jacob — and Aaron Arm- 
strong came from Wayne Co., N. Y., in the spring of 1837, 
and settled in the southeast part of the township. 

Jesse Bowen, from Herkimer Co., N. Y., became a resi- 
dent in 1837. He was a prominent citizen, and served his 
townsmen many years as supervisor and justice of the peace. 

Others who settled during the years 1837, 1838, and 
1839 were Milo White, upon section 20 ; Charles C. Hays, 
.section 2 ; Ira Sheldon, from Calhoun County, — he was the 
first cooper, and located upon section 6 ; Ira Dennis, from 
Lenawee County, also located upon section 6 ; David Law- 
rence and Richard D. Decker, brothers, from Orleans Co., 
N. Y., settled upon .section 9 ; Benjamin Lyman and Alan- 
son Rogers, from Calhoun Co., Mich. ; Lyman Putnam, 
who settled upon .section 3 ; John S. Heath, from Calhoun 
Co., Mich., .section 10; John Hart, from Hillsdale County, 
section 15 ; Charles Kennedy, from Madison Co., N. Y. ; 
Dan Casey, on section 23 ; John T., Asa R., and Charles 
M. Wisner, from Oakland Co., Mich., all settled in the 
southeastern part of the township. John was a large land- 
owner. Asa wa.s the first township clerk. He married 
Miss Emily Bills in 1838, which was the first marriage in 
the .settlement. It is related that Miss Bills was the only 
marriageable young lady in the neighborhood at that period. 
Charles M. Wisner was the first school-teaclier. S. L. 
Wilmer, Ellis S. Tillson, Richard S. Wood, Tyler Mc- 
Whorter (who was county surveyor in 1845), William P. 
Deyoe, Allen Pnrdy, Benjamin McVey, and Merrill More- 
house were also located in the township within the time 
before mentioned. 

Merrill Morehouse built the first framed house, and 
Alvin Bowen the first brick house. Solander Rossman 
the first framed barn. The first .saw-mill was erected by 
Nathaniel Knowles about 1849. Lyman Calkins built a 
saw- and grist-mill at Herrickville, in 1858. David Lind- 
say kept the first store at Whig Centre, in 1843. William 
Demming and John Steele were also early merchants. 
The early settlers and their families during sickness were 
attended by Dr. Clemens, of Allen's Prairie. Dr. Jacob 
Welpers was the first physician to reside in the township. 

John Lampman became a resident in 1841, and in 1848 
Abraham P. Lampman, accompanied by his sons Epenetus, 
Luman, and Ambrose, came in from Greenville, Green Co., 
N. Y., settling in the south part of the township. 

For names of many other early settlers, the reader is 
respectfully referred to the accompanying list of pioneers. 

THE PIONEERS OF BUTLER. 

The following is an alphabetical list of the early settlers 
of Butler township, which includes the name of nearly 
every man who became a resident tax-payer prior to 1846, 
and of some who settled a few years later : 



.\niistrong, Aaron. 
Alger, William. 
Allen, Delos. 
Bowen. .Tes-^Je. 



Biggs, Silas. 
Bagley, Daniel S. 
Burcb. .Tames B. 
Burbank, Dwigbt L. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



303 



Burch, Jacob 0. 
Bennett, Ilirivm II. 
Bowers, Churles K. 
Burcl), •Tunathun. 
Casey, Dan. 
Cniniliill, I'hineas. 
Cnuulall, Tlionuis. 
Crnnilall. John. 
Calkins, H. R. 
Calkins, Moses V. 
Calkins, B. II. 
Clark, C. P. 
Collar, Hugh. 
Copeland, I. 
Dennis, Ira. 
Doniniing, William. 
Decker, David. 
Decker, Lawrence. 
Decker, Richard D. 
Deyoe, William P. 
Dayton. Amon. 
Dolph, .Sidney H. 
Deyoe, .Jacob. 
Day, Chauncey. 
Dolph, D. 
Day, Abram. 
Evens, Charles. 
Evens. Thomas P. 
Edwards, Thomas J. 
Floyd, Richard U. 
Ford, Daniel R. 
Fuller, Zina. 
Hayes, Charles C. 
Heath, John S. 
H.ager, John. 
Hager, Joseph. 
Hopkins, A. C. 
Hart, John H. 
Hadlock, Orsino. 
Hopkins, Timothy A. 
Howe, Charles. 
Haigbt, I. 
Hayes,' I. 
Hager, D. D. 
Ho-xio, Ort^jn. 
James, B. F. 
Joslyn, John W. 
Kennedy, Charles. 
Lindsay, David. 
Lanipman, Henry S. 
Lockwood, George. 
Langdim, George. 
Lani])man, Abraham 1*. 
Lampman, Epenetus. 
Lampman, Ambrose, 
Lampman, John. 
Lewis, I. 
Lindsay, Elisha. 
Lindsay, Joel. 
Lafferty, I. 
McWhorler, Tyler. 
Morehouse, Merrill. 
Mcintosh, Duncan. 
Mead, Philander. 
Mann, ."Stephen. 
Mansfield, P. 



Mount, Nathan. 
McVey, Benjamin J. 
Newton, Timothy M. 
Needham, William. 
Nichols, S. 
Norris, Jacob. 
Purdy, Allen. 
Pardee, George D. 
Putnam, Lyman. 
Patterson, David. 
Pennock, Henry H. 
Pebbles, Henry W. 
Rossman, Solander. 
Rossman, Thomas J. 
Rogers, Benjamin A. 
Rogers, Hiram. 
Rogers, E. 
Rogers, Nelson. 
Rogers, Lyman. 
Rogers, Alanson. 
Rcdlicld, John. 
Rogers, Seth. 
Rosecrantz, R. 
Richardson, George W. 
Hossman, William. 
Shook, Jacob. 
Shook, Daniel. 
Swart, B. D. 
Sharp, John S. 
Sumner, Ira. 
Sheldon, Ira. 
Shelp, Henry. 
Sherman, Porter. 
Smith, Abram. 
Shelp, Parley M. 
Shelp, John G. 
Snyder, Jacob. 
Sawyer, Thomjus. 
Simmons, T. 
Steele, John. 
Thonijjson, Isaae. 
Tillson, Ellis S. 
Turner, E. 

Van Giesen, Thomas J. 
Van (iiesen, Henry. 
Wilcox, Caleb. 
Wood, Robert. 
Wood, Richard S. 
Wisner, John T. 
Wisncr, Asa R. 
Wisner, Charles M. 
Weaver, Daniel. 
White, Milo. 
Weatherwax, John T. 
Warren, Alanson D, 
AVarner, George V. 
Williams, Emmor. 
Willmer, S. L. 
Weller, Linus. 
Weller, W. H. 
Warren, W. L. 
Warren, Ira S. 
Welch, Hugh. 
Weatherwax, Joseph. 
Wright, Obed W. 
Woolever . 



CIVIL HISTORY. 

The Senate and House of Representatives of the State 
of Michigan, b}' an act approved March 6, 1838, erected 
Butler from Girard township, as follows : 

" .\i r No. 22, neiliim 21. .Ml thai part ul liie .■.omty of Branch 
designated in the I'luted .States survey as tnwnship number live south 



of range number five west, be and the same is hereby set off and or- 
ganized into a separate township by the name of Butler; and the 
first township-meeting shall be held at the house of David Lindsay 
in said township." 

At the time the towii.>iliip was orfranized, its territory 
contained a voting population of but about twenty voters. 
A majority of them were from Butler, Wayne Co., N. Y. ; 
and at a picliminaiy nieetinj: they decided by ballot to 
name the new townsiiiii Butler, in remembrance of their 
old home in the latter State. 

First Township Election. — At a meeting of the inhab- 
itants of the town.ship of Butler, held at the dwelling-house 
of David Lindsay, April 2, 1838, for the purpose of electing 
township officers, John T. Wisner and Jesse Bowen were 
chosen Judges of the Election, Asa R. Wisner, Clerk, and 
Tyler McWhortcr, Assistant Clerk. The officers elected 
were as follows: David Lindsay, Supervisor; Asa R. Wis- 
ner, Town.ship Clerk ; Jacob Shook, Jesse Bowen, and T. 
Jefferson Ros.snian, Assessors; Charles M. Wisner, Col- 
lector; David Lindsay, Jesse Bowen, Tyler McWhorter, 
and Solander Ro.ssman, Justices of the Peace; Charles M. 
Wisner, Constable; Jacob Shook, John T. Wisner, and 
Henry S. Lampman, Highway Commissioners; Tyler Mc- 
Whorter, Charles M. Wisner, and Daniel Shook, Inspectors 
of Schools; Caleb Wilcox and Jacob Shook, Overseers of 
the Poor; Jacob Shook, Road-Master. 

EARLY TOWNSHIP LEGISLATION. 

Wolf- Bounties. — "At the anuel Township-meeting, held 
in the Township of Butler in the year a.d. 1844, voted 
and carried that the Township of Butler will pay three 
dollars for ever full-grown woolf's liedd and ears entire on, 
and one dollar and fifty cents for every Whelp or half- 
grown woolf caught by an inhabitant of said Township. 

" Moved & carried that there be nine Dollars Raised in 
the Township of butler for the year A.n. 1844, for the 
purpose of paying a bounty on Wolves." 

Educational. — April 6, 1846, it was " voted and carried 
to Raise 50 cents per Hedd for every child over four and 
under eighteen years of age in the Township of Butler." 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

The following is a list of the principal township officers 
from 1839 to 1878, inclusive: 

Supervisors. 



18:19. David Lindsay. 

1840. Alanson D. Warren. 

1841. David Decker. 

1842. Jacob Shook. 
184.1. Jesse Bowen. 

1844. Jacob Shook. 

1845. " " 

1846. " " 

1847. Jesse Bowen. 

1848. Jacob Shook. 

1849. " " 

1850. " 

1851. Moses V. Calkins. 

1852. " " 

1853. Jesse Bowen. 

1854. " " 

1855. Moses V. Calkins. 
185fi. •• 

1.S57. •' 



Town Clerks. 
Asa R. Wisner. 

T. J. Van Giesen. 
Asa R. Wisner. 
T. J. Van Giesen. 



Treasurers. 
Thos. J. Rossman. 
Daniel Shook. 



Lawrence Decker. 



Epenetus Lampman. 
T. J. Van Giesen. 
Charles E. Bowers. 
(( « 

R. r. Floyd. 

,Ios. M. Alexancler. 

Cluirlcs IC. Bowers. 



Henry S. Lampman. 



Dwighl L. Burbank. 



304 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUiNTY, xMlCHIGAN. 



1858. 
1869. 
ISfiO. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863. 
1S64. 
1864. 
1865. 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 



Supervisors. 
Moses V. Calkins. 
Jesse Bowen. 

it it 

Moses V. Calkins. 
Charles E. Bowers. 



Barzilla H. Calkins.' 



Town Clerks. Treasurers. 

Charles E. Bowers. 0. H. Hadlock. 

R. U. Floyd. Jay Taylor. 
Moses V. Calkins. " ** 
Charles W. Bennett. '* " 

R. U. Floyd. 

Hiram H. Bennett. " '* 

Ira S. Lampman. George W. Clark. 

" " Jos. A. Weatherwax. 

Daniel Clark. F. M. Bissell. 

Ira S. Lauipinan. A. B. La Fleur. 
B. 0. Moore. " " 



Moses V. Calkins. " " " 

A. A. Van Orthwick. '' ** " ** 

** " John W. Henry. Joseph A. Bowcu. 

" " Marcus M. Calkins. " " 

Barzilla H. Calkins. " " Horace B. Powers, 

A. A. Van Orthwick. Thomas Sinclair. " " 

Bradley 0. Moore. " " J. E. Moore. 

John M. Davids. A. W. Eaton. " 

Bradley 0. Moore. Dwight L. Burbank. " *' 

John M. Davids. Thomas Sinclair. " " 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



1839. 


Charles C. Hayes. 


1861. 


Jesse Bowen. 


1842. 


David Decker. 




Joel D. Lindsay. 


1844. 


Daniel Shook. 


1862. 


H. B. Powers. 




Timothy M. Newton. 




M.M. Fox. 


1845. 


Jesse Bowen. 




L. Lampman. 


1846. 


Hiram H. Bennett. 


1863. 


Moses Hoskins. 




David Decker. 




Francis H. Ross. 


1847. 


Hiram H. Bennett. 


1864. 


John M. Davids. 


1848. 


Charles E. Bowers. 


1865. 


Ira S. Lampman. 


1849. 


Abraham P. Lampman. 


1866. 


Horace B. Powers. 




-lohn T. Wisner. 




J. Pardee. 


1850. 


David Decker. 


1868. 


L. B. Ramsdell. 


1851. 


G. R. Culver. 


1869. 


John M. Davids. 


1853. 


George Elmore. 




Daniel Dresser. 




John M. Davids. 


1870. 


Horace B. Powers. 




Ira Allen. 


1871. 


Cornelius Denhani. 


1854. 


Moses V. Calkins. 




Jacob J. Bush. 


1855. 


John M. Davids. 


1872. 


Moses V. Calkins. 




Horace B. Powers. 




Henry S. Delamater. 




Gardner Herrick. 


1873. 


John M. David. 


1856. 


Richard U. Floyd. 


1874. 


Horace B. Powers, 


1857. 


Duncan Mcintosh. 




Homer Moore. 


1858. 


Jesse Bowen. 




Charles White. 


1859. 


Horace B. Powers. 


1875. 


M. T. Lucas. 




Jesse Bowen. 


1876 


0. D. Curtis. 




John M. Davids. 


1877 


John M. Davids. 


1860. 


Richard U. Floyd. 
Torrence C. Dery. 

ASSE 


1878 

5S0RS. 


Wallace Allen. 


1839 


Jesse Bowen. 


1845 


Joseph Hager. 




Thomas J. Rossraan. 




Channcey Day. 




Charles C. Hayes. 


1846 


Joseph Hager. 


1840 


John Lampman. 




Hiram H. Bennett. 




B. D. Swart. 


1847 


Duncan Mcintosh. 




Milo White. 




Henry S. Lampman. 


1841 


Charles C. Hayes. 


1848 


Charles C. Hayes. 




John Lampman. 




Richard U. Floyd. 




Charles Evens. 


1849 


John T. Weatherwax. 


1842 


John Hager. 




Charles C. Hayes. 




John T. Weatherwu.x. 


1850 


Joseph Hager. 


1843 


Jesse Bowen. 




Charles C. Hayes. 


1844 


Joseph Hager. 


1851 


John T. Weatherwax. 




John T. Weatherwax. 




Joseph Hager.f 



HIGHWAY COMSriSSIONERS. 



* To fill vacancy. 

I Since the date last mentioned the supervisors have jierformed the 
duties of assessors. 



1839. 



1840. 



1841. 



1843. 



1844. 



1845. 



1846. 



1847. 



1848. 



1849. 
1850. 
1851. 



Henry S. Lampman. 
David Decker. 
Richard S. Wood. 
Jacob Shook. 
David Decker. 
Henry S. Lam])man. 
Jacob Shook. 
George Lockwood. 
David Decker. 
Henry S. Lampman. 
Thomas I. Edwards. 
Ger)rge Lockwood. 
Henry S. Lampman. 
John Hager. 
George Lockwood. 
T. J. Rossman. 
Duncan Mcintosh. 
John Hager. 
Duncan Mcintosh. 
T. J. Rossman. 
John Hager. 
Milo White. 
Ira S. Lampman. 
Benjamin A. Rogers. 
B. A. Rogers. 
Milo White. 
John Lampman. 
Duncan Mcintosh. 
Daniel Shook. 
John Hager. 



1853. 

1854. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 

1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 

1863. 
1864. 
1865. 



1866. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 

1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876. 
1877. 
1878. 



Milo White. 
John S. Lampman. 
John Hager. 
L. B. Ramsdell. 
William Rossman. 
W. R. Kisson. 
F. H. Ross. 
Lorenzo D. Ramsdell. 
Dwight L. Burbank. 
Charles E. Bowers. 
Lawrence Decker. 
0. W. Wright. 
Dwight L. Burbank. 
Harlow Williams. 
Thomas I. Edwards. 
Romanto Lake. 
William H. Taylor. 
Dwight L. Burbank. 
Thomas P. Evans. 
Dwight L. Burbank. 
Hiram Burlison. 
Lawrence Decker. 
Edward Vf. Perry. 
John O'Neil. 
Edward W. Perry. 
Lawrence Decker. 
Edward W. Perry. 
John Bignold. 
Aaron A. Van Orthwick. 
Daniel Clark. 



WAR LEGISLATION. 

*' 7o the TowHuhlp Huard of the Townnhip of liittler : We the under- 
signed, electors of the township of Butler, respectfully request the 
Township Board to call a special town-meeting, for the jiurpose of 
voting on the subject of raising a tax for the payment of a bounty to 
encourage enlistment on the credit of said township. (Signed) Wil- 
liam H. Hagei-, Horace Curtis, Sylvester Rogers, Levi Curtis, Jr., 
Henry Curtis, William Wiltse. Josiah McDonalil, Daniel Clark, Row- 
land McDonald, John McDonald, Edward McDouald, G. L. Germond, 
E. Wiltse, William Rogers, Stephen Mann, R. Lake. 

" We, the Township Board of the township of Butler, on request 
made by twelve or more electors of said township, do hereljy order 
that a special township-meeting be held for the purpose of voting on 
the subject of raising a tax to pay bounties to volunteers who may 
enlist and be credited to said township of Butler. The said special 
meeting to beheld on Thursday, the 19th day of January, 1865. Given 
under our hands this 9th day of January, 1865. 



" B. H. Calkins, 
" H. B. Powers, 
" Ira L. Lampman, 



Tivp. Huard.^ 



At tliis meeting 85 votes were cast in favor of bounty 
and 26 votes against bounty. It is unknown how much 
money was raised at tliis period for the payment of bounties. 
Feb. 24, 1864, f 1600 was paid to volunteers. 

STATISTICAL — 1839 VS. 1874. 

The following is a complete list of those assessed for taxes 
in 1839 : 

Charles C. Hayes, section 2, 80 acres. 

Ira Sheldon, section 6, 70 acres. 

Ira Dennis, section 6, 80 acres. 

David Decker, section 9, 160 acres. 

Lyman Rogers, sections 2 and 3, 120 acres. 

Lym.an Putnam, section 3, SO acres. 

John S. Heath, section 10, 180 acres. 

Henry S. Lampman, section 14, 80 acres, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 

Benjamin Rogers, section 15, 80 acres. 

Thomas J. Rossman, section 14, 160 acres. 



\ - 



A 






fMOrOS BY KJNDMAf^KCOLDWATER. 



DAVID lINSDAY. 



f/RS. DAVID LINSDAY 




Residence or LUCiNDA R. unsday, Butler, Branch Co.Mich 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



305 



David Lindsay, sections 14 and 15, 150 acres, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 
John Hart, section lo. 10 acres. 
CliarU'S Kcnnciiy, section 15, 40 acres. 
Milo Wliite, sections 10 and 20, 4S0 acres. 
Alanson Rogers, section 22, SO acres. 
Dan Casey, section 23, 88 acres. 
Cliarles JI. and Asa R. Wisner, section 24, 80 acres. 
Daniel Shoolt, section 20, 100 acres. 
?. L. Willmer, section 25, 80 acres. 
Ellis S. Tillson, section 25, 40 acres. 
.Tolin T. Wisner, sections 25, 26, .15, and 36, 500 acres. 
Ricliard S. Wood, section 34, .'*0 acres. 
Tyler McWhorter, section 3.'), 100 acres. 
George Lockwood, section 36, 120 acres. 
William P. Deyoc, section 34, 40 acres, 
.^llcn Purdy, section 34, 80 acres. 
Merrill Morehouse, section 35, 80 acres, 
.lesse Bowon, section 36, 200 acres. 

Jacob Shook, sections 26 and 27, 480 acres, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 1 cow. 
Solander Rossuian, sections 12 and 13, 240 acres, 1 wagon, 2 oxen, 
1 cow. 

1874. 

Population 1,389 

Farmers 265 

Acres in farm lands 19,641 

Acres of wheat growing, June, 1874 2,780 

•' " harvested in 1873 2,328 

" corn " " 1,373 

Bushels of wheat " " 27,462 

" corn " " 67,177 

" other grains harvested in 1873 14,00(1 

" potatoes " " 7,735 

Tons of hay " " 1,814 

Pounds of woo! sheared in 1873 12,605 

" pork marketed in 1S73 125,220 

'* cheese made in ** 17,131 

" butter " " 57,725 

" fruit dried for market in 1873 25,113 

Barrels of cider made in 1873 429 

Pi»unds of maple-sugar made in 1873 6,719 

Acres in fruits in 1873 565 

Value of fruits and vegetables sold in 1873 $5,000 

Horses over one year old in 1874 630 

Mules 2 

Work o.xen 26 

Milch cows in 1874 769 

Cattle over one year old, other than oxen and milch 

cows 624 

Swine over six months old in 1874 S76 

Sheep " " " " 2,761 

" sheared in 1873 2,654 

Mills and factories 8 

Operated by steam 3 

Persons employed 30 

Ca]iital invested $11,000 

Value of products $35,000 



SCHOOLS. 

The first school-house was built upon Shook's Prairie in 
1838. Charles M. Wisner was the first teacher, and taught 
in the school-house mentioned during the winter of 1838- 
39. Miss Rhoda Hewett, of Quincy, taught school in the 
same house during the following summer. Two or three 
more log school-houses were erected soon after ; but schools 
and school reports did not flourish to any extent until 
within a very recent period. 

From a school report, for the year ending Sept. 2, 1878, 
are taken the following statistics : Number of districts, 7 ; 
frame school-houses, 5 ; stone, 2 ; seating capacity of, 380. 
Value of school property, 83700. Children of school age, 
388; attending school during the year, 371. Male teachers 
employed during the year, 4 ; female, 10. Months taught 
by male teachers, 12 ; by female, 30. I'aid to male teachers, 
$42(1; tn female, $581. 

lieci.ipts. — Total resources from moneys on hand Sept. 
3, 1877, two-mill tax, primary-school fund, tuition of non- 
39 



resident scholars, district taxes for all purposes, and frcim 
other sources, 81.580.95. 

Expenditures. — Teachers' wages, $1001 ; repairs of 
school buildings, 686.50 ; all other purposes, $276. 
Amount on hand, Sejit. 2. 1878, $184.11. 

.MA.SONIC. 

Biitbr Lodge, No 88, F. and A. M., was organized 
under a dispensation from the Grand Master in 1855, and 
immediately commenced work as a Masonic lodge. The 
hall first occupied was situated over Gardner Ilerrick's 
store, llerrickville. In the di-spensation, Bro. Gardner 
Herrick was named as Worshipful Master, Bro. Peter 
Swart, Senior Warden, and Bro. Milo Cragin, Junior 
Warden. 

The first election of ofiicers was held December 19, 
1855, which resulted as follows : Gardner Herrick, W. M. 
Peter Swart, S. W. ; Miles Warren, J. W. ; Lawrence 
Decker, Sec. ; David Lindsay, Treas. ; Alonzo Mead, S. 
D. ; George W. Elmore, J. D ; Jotham G. Casey, Tyler ; 
Frederick Herrick, Steward. 

The lodge received its charter in 1857. Bro. Gardner 
Herrick was continued as master of the lodge until 1859, 
when, in consequence of his removal from the township, 
Bro. Peter Smart was elected master. He was succeeded 
by Bro. Miles Warren, who was master in 1860. 

At the election of officers in December, 1860, Bro. Am- 
brose Lanipnian was elected worshipful master, and was re- 
elected, and filled the ofiice continuously until 1873, when, 
declining to serve longer, John C. Hager was elected mas- 
ter, and served for a period of eighteen months; Bro. 
Ambrose Lampman was then again elected master, and has 
been continued as such to the present time. 

In 1867 the lodge was incorporated, and purchased the 
building occupied, also a lot in Henickville. The building 
was removed to the lot, and considerable money expended 
in repairing and furnishing. This property was sold in 
1875, and in 1877, in connection with Butler Grange, the 
lodge purchased a lot in the centre of the township, and 
caused to be constructed upon it a hall 20 by 40 feet, two 
stories in height. It cost about $1000. The upper story 
is owned by tlie Masonic lodge, the lower by the Grange 
society. 

Regular communications are held Wednesday evenings, 
on or before the full moon in each month. 

Present Officers. — -Ambrose Lampman, W. M. ; John 
C. Hager, S. W. ; Rowland McDonald, J. W. ; Charles 
Bogue, Sec. ; Horace B. Powers, Trea.s. ; Samuel R. Van- 
dekarr, S. D. ; Madi.son T. Lucas, J. D. ; Silas C. Purdy, 
Tyler. 

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 

Butler Grange, No. 88, Patrons of Husbandri/, was 
organized Oct. 10, 1873, with Ambrose Lampman and 
wife, A. W. Eaton and wife, John W. Rogers and wife, 
William I. Farwell and wife, Walter R. Ke.sson and wife, 
Ezra Lott and wife, Thester H. Cook and wife, Charles D. 
Kennedy anil wife, Horace G. Mcintosh and wife, Nathan 
B. Dresser and wil'e, Kdward W. Perry and wif.', Orval )'. 
Geer, and Miss Maggie Rain<;y as the charter members. 
Thester H. Cook was elected Master, and Ambrose 



306 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Lampman, Secretary. They were continued in the same 
offices until 1876, when Ambrose Lampman was elected 
Master, and A. W. Eaton, Secretary. During the years 
1877 and 1878, Thester H. Cook served as Master and 
Ambrose Lampman as Secretary. 

Officers for 1879.— John M. David, Worthy Master ; 
Charles H. Chase, Overseer; Charles D. Kennedy, Lec- 
turer; Thester H. Cook, Steward; Thomas P. Evens, 
Asst. Steward ; Mrs. John M. David, Chaplain ; William 
I. Farwell, Treas ; Nathan B. Dresser, Sec. ; Walter R. 
Kesson, Gatekeeper ; Mrs. Emeretta Warren, Ceres ; Mrs. 
Charles H. Chase, Pomona; Mrs. Ira V. Kesson, Flora; 
Mrs. Charles D. Kennedy, Stewardess. 

Until the completion of their new hall in 1877, the 
grange meetings were held in the town-hall, which is situ- 
ated one-half south of the oenti'e of the township. 

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES. 

The Methodists were the first to hold meetings and to 
organize a religious society in the township. As early as 
1838, Reverends John H. Pitzel, William H. Penfield, and 
James Clizbe preached in the school-house on Shook's 
Prairie.* Among the members of the first class in Meth- 
odism formed here were Jacob Shook and his wife Polly, 
Mrs. Aaron Armstrong, William P. Deyue and wife, Daniel 
Shook, John T. Wisner and wife, and Henry Shelp. 

During the past forty years religious societies of different 
denominations have had their rise and fall in the township. 
The latter result cau.sed mainly by dissensions among them- 
selves and their antagonism to the progressive spirit of the 
age. About 1854 the Baptists erected a church edifice at 
Dayburg, — the first and only house of worship ever built in 
the township, — and for a brief period they were strong in 
numbers and seemingly prosperous. But at the present 
time not a vestige of the society can be found. 

The church edifice, which will seat about 200 persons, 
still remains. It is contemplated to repair it thoroughly 
and use it as a union church, open to all religious societies. 

FIRST FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH., 

The first society of this church was organized at the 
school-house in Butler Centre, April 10 and 11, 1858, by 
a council of ministers and delegates from surrounding 
churches, represented by Revs. F. P. and 0. D. Angler, of 
Hillsdale ; H. Cook and H. B. Hayes, from Cook's Prairie ; 

Edwin Rosecrantz, from the Clarendon church ; and 

Warner, from the Litchfield church. 

The first members were as follows: Gardner Herrick, 
Louisa L. Herrick, Stewart Wilcox, Mrs. Wilcox, John 
Busley, Anna Busley, William Rogers, Elanor Rogers, S. 
V. Pierce, John Hall, Cynthia Wood, Barbary Percopine, 
Mahala Starkweather, Harriet Floyd, Caroline E. Brown, 
and Mahala Warren. This organization maintained an ex- 
istence until about 1861 or 1862, when it died out. 

The present society was organized at the school-house in 
Whig Centre, Sept. 7, 1867. Revs. Elijah Cook, John 

* Rev. Ira Bonner, a Christian, also preached here at a very 
early day, in .lolm Hart's loj^ house, and, it is elitiiiied, was the fii'st 
preacher. 



Ashley, Bro. John Blake, and Father West composed the 
council ; Rev. E. Cook presided as moderator. Rev. John 
Ashley as clerk. Upon inquiry, it was ascertained that 
eight brothers and ten sisters desired to go into the organi- 
zation, and Rev. E. Cook extended the right hand of fel- 
lowship. The society then adopted the name of " The 
First Free-Will Baptist Church of Butler." John Busley 
was chosen Deacon ; M. R. Thompson, Clerk ; William 
Vicory, Treas. ; and Rev. John Ashley, Pastor. 

The members of this organization were William Vicory, 
S. V. Pierce, M. R. Thompson, Richard Storms, Benjamin 
Abrams, S. Wilcox, D. M. Casey, J. W. Rogers, A. J. 
Macomb, Thomas J. Rossman, William Rossman, M. T. 
Lucas, G. Coleman, Nathan Haight, Anna Bu.sley, Ange- 
line Vicory, Ann M. Storms, Harriet Wilcox, Elizabeth 
Abrams, Eliza Casey, Ezra Rogers, Polly Rossman, Adel- 
phia Rossman, Eunice Thompson, Melissa Van Giesen, 
Laura Ford, Mary Lucas, Sarah Haight, Flora Carmichael, 
Jordan, and Mary J. Cory. 

Since ]Mr. Ashley, Revs. Boynton, Ensign, Holt, Dick- 
inson, Marshall, Caville, and Limbocker have successively 
assumed the pastorate of this church. No pastor at the 
present time. Present membership, 50 ; pupils in Sabbath- 
school, 40 ; John A. Lampman, Sunday-school superin- 
tendent. 

The Methodist Episcopal and other religious denomina- 
tions, hold meetings in school-houses in various parts of the 
township, but we have no data concerning them. 

Our thanks are due to Henry S. Lampman, Jacob Shook, 
George Lockwood, William Rossman, Richard D. Decker, 
Peter Shook, Ambrose Lampman, and many others, for their 
uniform kindness and courtesy, and the valuable informa- 
tion received from them. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



DAVID LINSDAY. 
The ancestors of David Linsday were among the early 
English settlers of Massachusetts. As early as 1700, 
Isaac Linsday, the father of David, emigrated to Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., and settled at Camillus. He erected the first 
frame house in that locality, kept the first tavern in Camil- 
lus, and died at an advanced age. His son David was the 
youngest of seven children, and was born at Camillus on 
April 30, 1803. He was reared a farmer, received a good 
common-school education, and at the age of nineteen was 
united in marriage to Miss Anna Dayton, of the same place. 
Soon afVer his marriage he removed to Hastings, Oswego 
Co., where he built a saw-mill, and was engaged in the 
lumber business at that place for ten years. In 1826 his 
wife died, leaving him with three young children, — named 
Joel D., James B., and Susan, who died in infmcy. Oct. 
14, 1827, he was married to Miss Lucinda K. Kennedy. 
In the winter of 1836 he made a visit to Michigan in quest 
of a location for a home. He purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of government land in the present township of 



HISTORY OF IJRANCII COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



307 



Butler, Branch Co., made a .small cli;ariug, erected the bmiy 
of a log house, returned to New York, and in the fall of 
the same year moved his family and settled on his new farm. 
For some years before leavinjr New York he had been in 
tlu> habit (if preaebinj; at variou.s places to the seet known 
as Christians, and after bis .settlement in Butler he held 
himself in readiness for all call.s of that nature. He 
preached the first funeral .sermon, married the first couple, 
was the first justice of the peace, and the first supervisor in 
the township of Butler. The first town-meeting held in 
Butler was at his house, at which there wore fourteen 
voters. He was magistrate for a number of years. 

In those days lie was known as a Whig, but on the dis- 
ruption of that party and the organization of the Republican 
party he became a staunch adherent of the latter. He con- 
tinued all his life a farmer-preacher, acknowledging no 
creed, but " taking the Bible as the man of his counsel," and 
its precepts as the rule and guide of his conduct in all his 
transactions with mankind. By his second union he was 
the father of five children, named Anna K., Minerva D., 



Achsab F., John K., and Tyler H. Of these, Anna and 
Minerva alone are living. Anna is the wife of Horace 
Powers, and resides on their farm in Butler. Minerva is 
the widow of Charlas K. Bowers, who, in the great Rebel- 
lion, wa-s a Union soldier. On the march of his command 
through Georgia be was taken ill, became exhausted, and 
fell out of the ranks. He was supposed to be dead, and 
the ]iain and anguish of the widowed and orphaned hearts 
at home; were augmented by the uncertainty of his fate. 

After eleven long years of uncertainty it was ascertained, 
by letters from the Southern lady who found him in a dying 
condition, that he was cared for and kindly nursed until his 
death. The old pioneer preacher and farmer, David Linsday, 
died on the 24th day of March, 18(;2, leaving his widow 
the old bonie-farni, and in good, comfortable circumstances. 
The venerable lady resides with her daughter, Mrs. Bowers, 
in Butler. To the relatives and friends, and the patrons of 
this work, we dedicate this brief notice of old Father and 
Mother Linsday, and on another page is presented the por- 
traits and a view of the old home of this old pioneer couple. 







("IIAKl.KS K. now KKS. 



CHARLES K. UUWEUS. 

Henry Bowers, the Hither of our subject, emigrated 
from New Hampshire and settled at Salem, Washtenaw 
Co., Mich., where he died in 1878, at the age of eighty 
years. His widow is still living, at the age of seventy-eight 
years. They were the parents of six children, named Eliza- 
beth, Charles E., John S., Caroline, Ilud.soii, and Viola. 
Charles E. was born on the 28th day of March, 1826. His 
boyhood was spent in obtaining a fair education and in farm 
labor. In after-years he was engaged in teaching district 
school in the winter season, and in working at farming in 
the summer. 

He taught several terms in Washtenaw County, and 
afterwards in Branch County. In 1847 he settled on 
eighty acres of wild land in the township of Butler. He 
erected a small frame house, and improved his lands during 
the summer and taught school in the winter for a number 
of years. He became attached to one of his pupils, Miss 




MISS. CII.MII.KS E. HOWKIIS. 

Minerva J). Linsday, daughter of the old pioneer preacher 
of Butler, and they were united in marriage Jan. 1, 1852. 
Mr. Bowers was a man of much consideration, and highly 
respected and esteemed by his fellow-townsmen, who mani- 
fested their confidence in his ability and worth by keeping 
him for many years in an official position in his town, such 
as inspector of schools, clerk, supervisor, etc. In 1864 he 
entered the army, and, on the " March to the Sea," strayed 
from his command, and for eleven long years his fate was 
unknown by his .sorrowing widow and friends at home. 
But, after years of uncertainty, the full history of his sad 
death was revealed. He became sick and exhausted on 
the march through Georgia, and, delirious with fever, wan- 
dered away from his comrades. He was found by some 
people in almost a dying condition, and was taken to the 
house of Mrs. Bry.son, the wife of a Confederate soldier. 
This kind lady procured a doctor and nursed him until his 
death, which occurred in November, lSt)4. He ir,ave Mrs. 



308 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Bi-yson the address of his family in Michigan, but, owing 
to some mistake in the name, the several letters she wrote 
to Mrs. Bowers never came to hand, and in after-years, by 
adverti.sing in the Detroit papers, the whole sad story came 
to light. He was buried in the cemetery at Conyers, Ga., 
but was afterwards removed to the National Soldiers' Cem- 
etery at Marietta, Ga. 

At the time he entered the army he left his wife and 
one son, named Don Juan. Two weeks after his departure 
for tiie war his wife gave birth to a daughter, to whom 
she gave the name of Jane L. At the age of seven months 
the babe died, leaving the mother and little boy alone in 
the world. Mrs. Bowers still live.« on the old home-farm, 
and is in comfortable circumstances. Her son, who has 
grown up into an intelligent young man, lives at home 
with his mother, and old Mother Linsday is also an honored 
member of the family. 

The numerous friends and relatives will be pleased to 
find in this work the portraits of Charles E. Bowers and 
his esteemed widow. 



DWIGHT L. BURBANK. 

The ancestors of Mr. Burbank were among the early 
settlers of the Connecticut Valley. Joseph R. Burbank, 
the grandfather, was a millwright, and in early life was 
married to Esther Metcalf They were the parents of 
Roby, Lucius, George, Theodosia, and Clarissa. Lucius 
was born in Sufiield, Conn., in 1798, and in his boyhood 
obtained a fair education. He engaged in selling stone- 
ware, which he delivered from a wagon at the towns 
throughout the country. In 1825 he was married to Miss 
Prisea Thwing. He continued in the stone-ware trade 
until 1830, when he removed to Geauga Co., Ohio, where 
he bought and settled on a farm. His death occurred Oct. 



6, 184(5, at the age of forty-eight. His venerable widow 
is still living at the age of seventy-seven years, and is an 
honored and cherished member in the family of her son, 
Dwight. They were the parents of five children, named 
P]dwin, Dwight L., Hiram, Oscar, and Clarissa, who are at 
this time all living. 

Dwight L^was born at SuflSeld, Conn., March 8, 1829. 
He was reared on a farm in Geauga Co., Ohio, and ob- 
tained a good education in the English branches. When 
Dwight was seventeen years old his father died. He then 
began active life on his own account, and when he was 
twenty-one he came to Michigan, where he worked in a 
saw-mill and at teaming for two years. Then, with a part- 
ner, he bought and operated a steam saw-mill for one year. 
He then bought eighty acres of wild land in the township 
of Butler, about si.x miles north of the village of Quincy. 
April 22, 1853, he was married to Julia A., daughter of 
William Rogers, an old settler of Butler. He soon after 
built a log hou.se, and was busy enough clearing and im- 
proving his land. In 1864 he entered the army, and served 
until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. 
He was in the 14th Michigan Infantry, participated in 
many battles and skirmishes, and was in Sherman's famous 
" March to the Sea." He was wounded in the arm at the 
fight of Silver Creek, N. C. He has been successful as a 
farmer, and has a finely-cultivated farm, with comfortable 
and convenient barn and out-buildings. 

Mr. Burbank and his esteemed wife have had three 
children, named Alvin, Albert R., and Frank. Alvin 
died at the age of seven years, and the others are at home 
with the parents. Mr. Burbank is a man of much con- 
sideration in his township, and has for many years held 
various local offices, such as clerk, commissioner, and treas- 
urer. On another page of this work may be found a view 
of his residence and farm-home. 










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This township, which lies directly south of Coldwater, 
is known as township 7 south, raiij^e fi west, and has been 
described in a (ironiiiient county work as first settled by 
Parley Stockwell. Desiring to authenticate, if possible, 
this statement, the historian sought this venerable pioneer 
and stated the facts to him, but Mr. Stockwell, while claim- 
ing to have been an early resident, and done much to 
advance the interests of Ovid, disclaims the honor of being 
the first to break soil in the township, and suggests several 
names that bear date some years prior to his. He might 
with propriety be termed the first pioneer on section 16, a 
portion of which land he entered when it was a vast wilder- 
ness, and where, dui'ing the few years of his residence, he 
witnessed the clearing of the country around him, the 
erection of comfortable houses, and the rapid march of 
improvement. 

The good residents of Ovid arc not as eminent for anti- 
quarian pursuits as for hospitality and good cheer, therefore 
while the historian is always sure of a very good dinner 
and a very cordial welcome, it is by no means certain that 
he will find an e(|ual store of information awaiting him. 
The almost total loss of the township records will also pre- 
clude the po.ssibility of giving so comprehensive a sketch 
as is desirable. Ovid was a vast stretch of uncleared timber 
land in 1831, and, as nearly as can be ascertained, Howard 
Bradley and Richard and Nelson Salsberry were the first 
settlers. One of the very earliest pioneers, who came in 

1834, states that Mr. Bradley's family, and those of the 
Salsberry's were the only ones in the township, and that 
they were living in an exceedingly primitive condition, and 
subjected to all the discomforts attending the early settler. 
Howard Bradley entered the southeast quarter of section 6 
and the northeast quarter of section 7. He evidently was 
not greatly impressed with the charms of pioneer life in 
Ovid, for very soon after he sold all his interest to Uriah 
Lockwood. The Salsberry brothers took up lands adjoin- 
ing. Uriah Lockwood was at the time a considerable land- 
owner, having, in addition to the ground purchased from 
Bradley, entered the northwest quarter of section 7, and 
the west half of the southwest quarter of section 6, in 

1835, controlling in all 560 acres. Mr. Lockwood was 
accompanied by his sou Henry, who still survives, and is 
not only one of the pioneers, but one of the representative 
men of Ovid. On the farm purchased of Bradley a log 
house had been erected, which Mr. Lockwood occupied. 
There was also a barn built of logs, and a stable for the 
cattle, which comprised all the improvement that had been 
made. Part of the timbered land had been cleared, and 
some tracfts of improvement were jierceptible, but Mr. 
Henry Lockwoud describes their condition as one of almost 
absolute desolation after the departure of the Bradley 



family, having been in the midst of a vast wilderness, with 
no neighbors and hardly a trace of civilization about them. 

From the little hamlet of Branch as far south as one 
cared to travel the territory was one unbroken stretch of 
wilderness. The Indian trail was the only guide to the 
traveler, and the bill of fare for the noonday meal was not 
so elaborate as to require much time in selection, though 
perhaps the rich saddles of venison might even tempt the 
palate of the modern epicure. A dish regarded as very 
inviting was made of green corn planed up or bruised, and 
baked into a sort of bread. This was not adopted so much 
for its attractive qualities as because it was convenient. 
There were no grist-mills near by, and wheat was not as 
abundant as at present. At a later date, Mr. Lockwood 
built a plank house, which superseded the one of logs he 
had occupied, and which was more commodious and con- 
venient. 

The following original entries of land embraced in the 
township of Ovid were made from the government: 

William D. I'opi>Ie, IKII acres, May 4, 18,S6. 

.■\lansi>n Suiuner and Stephen Clark, 157.12 acres, May 4, IS.TG. 

Ichabod Wheaton, 80 acres, May 25, 1836. 

Dana .Show, 157.36 acres, Feb. 1, 1837. 

Alva Ketchum, 80 acres, April 16, 1851. 

Prentice Burlingham, 157.74 acres. May 14, 1836. 

Henry Reed, 80 acres. May 25, 1836. 

llulbert Read, 80 acres, May 25, 1836. 

Silas Wilson, SO acres, Feb. 1, 1837. 

Nathan Bates, 40 acres, Feb. 16, 1837. 

Waynright Babbit, 78.18 acres, Oct. 2», 1850. 

.Tustin Lawyer, 120 acres, Feb. II, 1854. 

Wm. Thomas Green, SO acres, July 20, 18.35. 

Ucnry T. Terry, 157.32 acres, May 16, 1836. 

Henry T. Terry, 40 acres, May 16, 1836. 

.John W. Fox, 79.57 acres, May 18, 1836. 

.(ohn W. Fox, 40 acres. May 18, 1836. 

.lohn W. Fox, 80 acres, May 18, 1836. 

Benjamin Huntington, 80 acres, May 18, 1S36. 

Benjamin Huntington, SO acres. May 18, 1836. 

Wm. T. Green, 80 acres, July 20, 1835. 

Horatio J. Olcott, 317.23 acres, July 21, 1835. 

Horatio J. Olcott, 160 acres, July 21, 1835. 

Horatio J. Olcott, 80 acres, July 21, 1835. 

Silas Hutchinson, 40 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. 

Klisha Spencer, 80 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. 

Alex. Marshall, 40 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. 

Alex Mar.^^hall, 80 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. 

Chas. M. Mar.shall, 80.31 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. 

Chas. M. Marshall, 711.91 acres, Nov. 21. 1835. 

Chas. M. Marshall, 40 acres, Nov. 21, 1835. 

Stephen Bates, 40 acres, Jan. 29, 1836. 

Edwaril Gilbert, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

John Allen, 40 acres, April 30, 1836. 

I,. D. and P. H. Crippon, 40 acres, July 1», 1836. 

ll.iwanl Bradley, 160 acres. May 24, 1834. 

Isaac T. Dudley, 40 acres, May 10, 1S35. 

Isaac T. Dudley, 79.80 acres, May 10, 1835. 

Oliver Julin-. .11. SO a.-r.'s, Sept. 17. 1S35. 

3(19 



310 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Uriah Lockwooil, 86.52 acres, Sept. 19, 18.35. 

Francis Bates, 165.20 acres, Jan. 4, IS.Se. 

L. D. and P. H. Crippen, 40 acres, July 19, 1S36. 

Howard Bradley, 160 acres. May 24, 1834. 

Oliver Johnson, 80 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. 

Oliver Johnson, 80 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. 

Uriah Lockwood, 166.12 acres, Sept. 19, 1835. 

Wm. T. Perry, 40 acres, Feb. 24, 1836. 

Wm. Mann, 85.20 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Danl. T. Scofield, 40 acres, May 18, 1848. 

Stuart Davis, 160 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Stuart Davis, 40 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Jared D. Brooks, 320 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Jared D. Brooks, 40 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Daniel T. Scotield, 40 acres, Aug. 14, 1846. 

Reuben Scofield, 40 acres, June 3, 1850. 

Moses Hawks, 80 acres, July 21, 1835. 

Charles Fo.\, 320 acres, July 21, 1835. 

Charles Fox, 160 acres, July 21, 1835. 

Charles Fo.k, 80 acres, July 21, 1835. 

Moses Hawks, SO acres, July 21, 1835. 

■William Mann, 160 acres, April 20, 1836. 

David Herron, 80 acres, April 23, 1836. 

Ellas B. Wright, 80 acres, April 23, 1836. 

James Hall, 160 acres, July 10, 1836. 

Lorenzo D. Crippen, 80 acres, July 18, 1836. 

William Mann, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Allen Hibner, 40 acres, May 11, 1836. 

James Gary, 80 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. 

Silas Wilson, 40 acres, Feb. 1, 1837. 

Edward W. Benson, 40 acres. May 1, 1850. 

L. 0. Schofield, assignee, 80 acres, Dec. 1, 1848. 

Silas Swift, SO acres, Dec. 2, 1852. 

Charles S. Wright, 40 acres, Nov. 22, 1853. 

Justin Lawyer, 80 acres, Feb. 11, 1854. 

L. B. Woodard, 80 acres. May 3, 1836. 

R. J. H.ayward, 80 acres, May 3, 1836. 

R. J. Hay ward, 80 acres. May 3, 1836. 

Wm. D. Popple, 160 acres. May 4, 1836. 

Horatio D. Wolcott, 160 acres, May 18, 1836. 

L. 0. Scofield, assignee, 80 acres, Dec. 1, 1848. 

L. B. Woodard, 148.75 acres, May 3, 1836. 

Alanson Sumner, "l 

Stephen Clark, J ^^'^^ acres. May 3, 1836. 

Oliver Davenport, 109 acres, Feb. 1, 1837. 
James L. Maxson, 39.27 acres, Oct. 11, 1852. 

Abraham Mantastock, J 

I - 
Levi Wilson, 40 acres, Feb. 1837. 
Levi Wilson, 80 acres, Feb. 20, 1837. 
Levi D. Smith, 160 acres, March 14, 1837. 
Wm. B. Whitehead, 40 acres, June 6, 1837. 
Benjamin Cory, 127.06 acres, Aug. 8, 1839. 
De Soles Lake, 40 acres, April 21, 1846. 
Thomas Burns, 40 acres, July 9, 1849. 
Thomas Burns. 40 acres, Feb. 15, 1850. 
Rachel Rush, 40 acres, Aug. 26, 1853. 
Elias B. Wright, 80 acres, April 23, 1836. 
Roswell F. Davis, 80 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. 
Roswell F. Davis, 40 acres, Nov. 17, 1836. 
Martin Strait, SO acres, Feb. 14, 1837. 
Levi D. Smith, 80 acres, March 14, 1837. 
Levi D. Smith, 80 acres, March 14, 1837. 
Freeman Burroughs, 40 acres, June 18, 1846. 
Edward F. Muir, 160 acres, Jan. 15, 1850. 
John T. Haynes, 40 acres, Jan. 17, 1844. 
E. Hei.shrodt, 40 acres, Nov. 16, 1844. 
G. W. Stevens, 40 acres, April 21, 1847. 
E. Kimble, 40 acres, April 22, 1847. 
S. W. Halsted, 40 acres, July 21, 1847. 
Jerome Lake, 40 acres, Aug. 12, 1847. 
N. Ransford, 40 acres, Oct. 22, 1847. 
Otho Lake, 40 acres, Oct. 27, 1847. 
G. W. Stevens, 40 acres, Oct. 30, 1847. 
D. Scofield, 40 acres. May 17, 1848. 



69.47 acres. 
. 40 acres, Oct. 1, 1853. 



G. W. Stevens, 40 acres, Aug. 15, 1849. 

J. P. Scofield, 40 acres, Dec. 9, 1851. 

Samuel Otis, 40 acres, Sept. 8. 1852. 

A. Scofield, 40 acres, Sept. 28, 1852. 

F. Heisrodt, 40 acres, Dec. 10, 1852. 

H. R. Alden, 40 acres, Dec. 27, 1863. 

William Mann, 160 acres, March 8, 1836. 

William Mann, 80 acres, March 8, 1836. 

A. H. White, 79.97 acres, July 19, 1836. 

James Nichols, 260.84 acres, March 17, 1837. 

John G. West, 151.16 acres, Feb. 15, 1836. 

Joshua Bates, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Jesse Russell, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

William Cord, 80.20 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Silas Cord, 84.60 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Nelson Cord, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Josejih Bryant, 68.58 acres, .July 11, 1836. 

Henry Howe, 211.31 acres. May 19, 1836. 

Samuel H. Gale, 149.45 acres. May 19, 1836. 

Joseph W. Alger, 247.17 acres, Nov. 27, 1854. 

Isaac T. Raymond, 160 acres, July 12, 1836. 

Isaac T. Raymond, 160 acres, July 19, 1836. 

Levi D. Smith, 157.86 acres, March 14, 1837. 

Isaac P. Alger, 49.97 acres, Nov. 29, 1854. 

Joel L. Putnam, 160 acres, Aug. 10, 1835. 

Reuben Wilson, 160 acres, Nov. 5, 1835. 

Reuben Wilson, 80 acres, Nov. 5, 1835. 

Samuel M. Dennison, 40 acres, Feb. 22, 1837. 

John 0. Potter, 40 acres, Oct. 29, 1844. 

Freeman Burroughs, 40 acres, June 18, 1846. 

Clinton B. Fisk, 40 acres, Jan. 23, 1854. 

Clinton B. Fisk, 40 acres, Jan. 23, 1854. 

Joel L. Putnam, 80 acres, July 20, 1836. 

Joel L. Putnam, 80 acres, Dec. 14, 1835. 

Joel L. Putnam, 40 acres, July 20, 1836. 

Hiram Donaldson, 40 acres, March 9, 1837. 

Francis L. Akin, 80 acres, June 13, 1837. 

Andrew A. Akin, 80 acres, June 13, 1837. 

John E. Gates, 80 acres, Dec. 22, 1849. 

John 0. Pelton, 55.06 acres, Aug. 2, 1853. 

William Wolcott, 152.12 acres, April 1, 1837. 

John E. Gates, 80 acres, Dec. 22, 1849. 

Dennis Lancaster, 25 acres, April 20, 1852. 

Lyman Bills, 53.86 acres, July 10, 1852. 

Dennis Lancaster, 65 acres, April 20, 1852. 

John P. Cook and Henry Waldron, 78.40 acres, March 1, 1854. 

James Hall, 160 acres, July 9, 1836. 

James Hall, SO acres, July 9, 1836. 

Benjamin Tindall, 80 acres, April 11, 1837. 

Alfred Bartholomew, 80 acres, June 2, 1846. 

Maria Hall, 40 acres, April 22, 1848. 

William Kellison, 157.40 acres, July 8, 1852. 

Joseph S. Merrill, 40 acres, Aug. 22, 1853. 

James Hall, 240 acres, July 9, 1836. 

Gideon S. WelLs, 80 acres, March 28, 1837. 

David Doty, 160 acres, April 1, 1837. 

John Cummings, 40 acres, Oct. 11, 1849. 

John Hinkley, 40 acres, Aug. 20, 1851. 

Nicholas Stand, 80 acres, Oct, 21, 1852. 

Isaac George, 63.47 acres, March 6, 1837. 

John Doolin, 107.57 acres, March 8, 1837. 

Wm. W. Johnson, 79.25 acres, March 28, 1837. 

Wm. W. Johnson, 75.25 acres, March 28, 1837. 

Wm. Bockcs, 101.62 acres, June 24, 1835. 

Wm. Bockes, 111.63 acres, June 24, 1835. 

Wm. Bockes, 40 acres, June 24, 1835. 

Oliver Johnson, 126.12 acres, Sept. 17, 1835. 

John Patterson, 78.80 acres. May 19, 1836. 

John Wilson, SO acres, June 24, 1835. 

John Wilson, 80 acres, June 24, 1835. 

Reuben Wilson, 40 acres, Nov. 5, 1835. 

Reuben Wilson, 80 acres, Nov. 5, 1835. - 

Abner Bowe, 40 acres. May 29, 1837. 

Geo. H. Hoard, SO acres, Aug. 10, 1838. 

E. D. Corwin, 40 acres, June 21, 1847. 





^^ ^^ 



sTA 



V^-' 



( Photos. ffY KtNOMARK 




S.M.Treat. 



[vlRs.S.fvf. Treat. 



SAMUEL M. TREAT. 



This gentleman, one of the prominent farmers 
and pioneers of Ovid, was born in Trenton, Oneida 
Co., N. Y., March 13, 1816. 

His parents, Hosea and Hannaii Treat, were 
Connecticut people and emigrated to Oneida at an 
early day. They had a family of eight children, 
Samuel being the eighth child. The elder Treat 
was a farmer and clothier by occupation ; but little 
is known of his history, as he died when Samuel 
was but two years of age. 

As a boy, Samuel evinced much energy, deter- 
mination, and enterprise; and when eighteen years 
of age he determined to come to Michigan. Arriv- 
ing in Detroit he had but five dollars, and he 
walked to Adrian, where for two years he was 
engaged in clearing land. He saved an amount 
sufficient to purchase eighty acres in Ovid, which 



is a portion of his present farm of five hundred 
acres. He then returned East, and in the autumn 
of 1837 returned to Ovid, where he has since 
resided. 

In 1838 he married Miss Fanny Tves, of his 
native county. She died in 1839, and in 1840 he 
married Miss Harriet Brooks. She died in 1866, 
and in 1868 he married Miss Ann I. Wildee, of 
Lorain Co., Ohio, where she was born Nov. 19, 
1840. 

Mr. Treat is the architect of his own fortune, 
having commenced life with only a strong pair of 
hands and an unlimited amount of energy. He 
has achieved success in all departments of life, 
and his career is evidence of the inevitable result 
of industry and economy, coupled with good judg- 
ment and executive ability. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



311 



Isaac Quinby, 40 iices, Nov. 7, 1853. 

Clinton B. Fisk, 40 acres, Jan. 16, 1864. 

Samuel Towsley, 40 acres, June 18, 1853. 

Jacob .\lgcr, 160 acres, Nov. 21, 1S54. 

Jacob Alger, 40 acres, Nov. 27, 1854. 

Matthew H. Bingham. 64.24 acres, .May 11, 1837. 

Amasa W. Miller, 82.40 acres, Dec. 7, 1837. 

Joseph C. Stowell, 40 acres, April 16, 1844. 

(jcorgc Feathorby, 40 acres, July 14, 1851. 

Charles Burli.son, 40 acres, Sept. 13, 1853. 

Joshua W. Alger, 247.17 acres, Nov. 27, 1854. 

Panniel .M. Deniiison. 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Hiram Baker, 80 acres. April 20, 1836. 

Wm. II. Johnson, 81.40 acres. May 14, 1849. 

H. and M. M. .Miller, 40 acres, June 6, 1850. 

Charles II. Miller, 160 acres, July 10, 1841). 

Alexander McNeal. 80 acres, Dec. 6, 1852. 

Hiram U. Alden, 120.44 acres, Dec. 7, 1853. 

Samuel M. Dennison, 40 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Hiram Baker, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

(ieorgc H. Hoard, 80 acres, Aug. 10, 18.38. 

Augustus S. Glessner, 40 acres, Feb. 7, 1848. 

Hiram Eddy, 80 acres, Aug. 18, 1849. 

Clinton B. Fisk, 40 acres, Deo. 28, 1853. 

Amos and Joseph Hough, 80 acres, June 4, 1835. 

Don Ahmzo Dewey, 80 acres, Aug. 7, 1835. 

AVni. Martin, 80 acres, April 20, 1836. 

Joel Woodiird, 40 acres. May 11, 1836. 

Joel Woodard, 40 acres, May 11, 1836. 

Amos Hough, 40 acres, June 5, 1835. 

Calvin Griswold, Jr., 80 acres, July 9, 1838. 

George H. Hoard, SO acres, Aug. 10, 1838. 

David Tripp, 80 acres, Nov. 21, 1845. 

Luther L. Morgan, 40 acres, Oct. 25, 1850. 

Amos and Joseph Hough, 193.62 acres, June 5, 1835. 

Joel Woodward, 59.60 acres, May 11, 1836. 

Richard J. At Lee, 13 acres, Feb. 10, 1837. 

Isaac George, 104.83 acres, March 6, 1837. 

Charlotte W. Edwards and .\unie iM. At Lee, 79.39 acres, Feb. 

14, 1837. 
Alvin Crowell, 40 acres, Oct. 12, 1849. 



In 1836, Samuel Treat, Jared G. Brooks, and Stuart 
Davis came from Oneida Co., N. Y. Brooks entered the 
laud they settled upon in his own name to prevent the 
delay consequent upon the large demands for entries at the 
land-ofiBce. He then apportioned it to each member of the 
trio, giving deeds of the same. Davis took 160 acres, 
Treat 80, Henry Treat 40, and be retained 160 himself. 

Samuel Treat, who is one of the survivors of these early 
days, and who still resides on section 8, where the original 
lands were located, being anxious to establish himself upon 
his newly-acquired po.sscssions, turned his attention to the 
erection of a house. Expedition being more essential to 
him than elegance, he succeeded in two days in construct- 
ing a shanty, which he occupied until it was destroyed by 
fire, when a more substantial one of logs took its place, and 
which now stands as a monument of pioneer days. 

His present .spacious residence was built in 1857, the 
brick with which it was constructed having been burned 
near Branch, in Coldwater township. Next came Eliaha 
Spencer and one Hutchin.son, and located on section 5, 
where Mat. Fallis now resides. They immediately erected 
a shanty and proceeded to clear the land they occupied. 

After these early settlers had been here a short time the 
need of a school Wiv* apparent, there being many children 
in the luighbcirhood, and a schiiol Ikiu.sc was erected on 
the northwest corner of section 6. The first teacher in the 



township was Caroline Green, though Harriet Brooks also 
taught at an early day. 

The first sermon was preached at the house of Elisha 
Spencer. Rev. Wm. B. Brown was visiting in the neigh- 
borhood, and an invitation was extended to him to hold 
service, which he willingly accepted. The clergyman 
having been a resident of New York State, word was sent to 
the settlers in the vicinity, who were nearly all from the same 
State, and the occiusion is described by one who was present 
as a most enjoyable one. The devotional exercises were re- 
garded as a great privilege, and the reunion of old friends 
afforded a social epoch in the early history of the settlers. 

The first marriage was that of Jliss Electa Salsberry to 
Mr. Silas llutchiusoii. The justice of the peace at this 
period was J. G. Brooks. In a private journal which he 
kept with great regularity during his life, and which has 
been kindly loaned us, we find this entry : " Went to the 
county clerk's ofiSce and qualified as justice of the peace. 
Performed the marriage ceremony between Sihus Hutchin- 
son and Electa Salsberry in the evening at my house." 
This bears date April 8, 1837. 

An early death in the town.ship was that of Mrs. Kuen, 
though the first funeral is believed to have been that of 
Mrs. Marshall, who lived one mile northeast of the present 
Baptist church. 

Among other early settlers were Gardner Scofield, who 
came during the first settlement of the township and built 
a saw-mill on section 8 ; Jeremiah Lockwood located on 
section 7, but has since moved elsewhere ; Alex. Marshall 
settled on section 5, as did also Stephen Bates and Henry 
B. George ; Francis Bates cleared a tract on section 6, not 
far from another tract owned by Joshua Clark. 

Among the prominent residents of the township who 
deserve honorable mention, and whose names are conspicu- 
ous as having filled oflfices of trust in the gift of the people, 
are Daniel and Levi Wilson, the first having located in the 
southern, and the latter in the eastern portion of the town- 
ship. The son of the former gentleman, James R. Wil.son, 
also resides near him. Among other settlers on section 5 
are Benjamin Ferguson, Joseph Curtis, Stephen Wood, 
Nathaniel Batchellor, and Charles Brown. Section 4 af- 
forded homes, among others, to Niles Baldridge, Peter 
Thornton, Harry Baldridge, and Edward Smith. On the 
northeast quarter of section 10 settled Benjamin I. Willets, 
who came to Ovid in 1837, and has removed since to Cold- 
water. Jacob Gregg and J. W. Zeluff were on section 9. 
Jesse Russell located on the northwest side, and Alexander, 
Frederic, and William P. Morey on the eastern side, while 
Fowler Quinby was near the southea-stern boundary, on sec- 
tion 25. Allen Hibner located a tract on section 11. E. 
D. Corwin purchased on section 28, and Reuben Wilson 
and his son on section 21. Zara Warner was one of the 
earliest to locate on section 25, and Jonas Mortcrstock and 
Bascom and Harlow Wright established themselves on sec- 
tions 10 and 15. 

Wild animals were abundant at this early day, and wolves 
were especially annoying. Deer were also frequently killed, 
and veni.s<m was so plentiful that it ceased to be a luxury, 
while wilil lurki'vs adurmil many a Tliank.sgiving dinner- 
table. 



312 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



One of the first pioneers was one day plowing with his 
oxen. The time for the noonday meal having arrived, he 
removed the harness from the animals and left it lying on 
the ground. On returning, he found it had been almo.st 
entirely demolished by wolves, which had torn it to shreds 
in their efforts to devour it. 

An amusing story is told of two pioneers whose names 
figure in this brief sketch, but who shall here be nameless. 
They were hunting game of a less pretentious size, when 
suddenly their eyes were greeted with a spectacle which 
was not calculated to inspire their courage. Before them 
at some little distance were the formidable proportions of 
an ugly black bear. They were appalled, but after a hasty 
consultation decided that their only safety was in their 
trusty muskets. Firing simultaneously, they inflicted a 
deadly wound upon the animal, when, upon approaching, 
they found it to be one of the brave Nimrod's black hogs 
that had been feeding in the wood. 

We copy a few of the entries made in the journal of Mr. 
Brooks, which will enable the reader to form some impres- 
sion of that period : 

" July 2, 1837, to the village on Sunday. Heard Elder W. B. 
Brown preach." 

"July 31 the engineers passed to the west on the southern route 
for a railroad. Little did I think when I purchased my land there 
would ever be a route for a railroad so near me." 

"October 2.1, attended caucus. Henry Lockwood and myself ap- 
pointed delegates to County Convention." 

" November 6, attended election : thirteen votes — but one of them 
Whig." 

" Feb. 18, 1838, went to meeting. Heard Brother Davis, a circuit 
preacher." 

"June 20, attended association preaching by Elder Hall, of Kala- 
mazoo; an Episcopal wedding at the intermission." 

"September, had quite a tight pull with the chills and fever." 

" Nov. 3, 1840, went south to election; took thirty-two votes; from 
3i.\ to twenty-two majority on the Democratic ticket in town." 

"March 4, 1841, Elder Parkin and Brother Graham here, getting 
subscriptions for a meeting-house at Branch." 

"June 4, 1842, great celebration at Coldwater; si.v hundred Sab- 
bath-school scholars sat down to dinner: table set for nine hundred, 
probably twelve hundred to dinner on the square." 

Many of the records in this carefully-kept journal are 
personal. It is remarkable to observe the fref|uent chroni- 
cles of rainy weather, and the prevalence of fever and ague. 

Among a file of old papers was discovered the following 
list of voters in the township for the year 1838, which we 
annex : 

Ichabod Davis, Reuben Wilson, Orris F. Davis, James 
Cory, Stewart Davis, Henry Lockwood, Stephen Shaw, 
Charles B. Wright, Francis Bates, Isaac Marshall, Oren 
B. Comine, John Waterhouse, J. 6. Brooks, Uriah Lock- 
wood, Silas Hutchinson, Silas Wilson, Elisha Spencer, 
Alexander Marshall, Roswell F. Davis, John Waterhouse, 
Jr., John L. Depue, George Minnier, Jacob Minnier, Free- 
man Waterhouse, Robert J. Hughes, Ira Canwright, Wm. 
Bockus, S. W. Zelufl", S. S. Sortee, Miron Towsley, G. 
Baker, George Terry, Charles Congdon, Howard Bradley, 
Lathrop G. Fish, Hiram Canwright, Joshua Baker, Isaac 
Hough, Amos Hough. 

Occasionally appears the statement that a neighbor was 
lost in the woods and found after vigorous searchini;-, and 



there is frequent mention of house-raisings and aid given to 
settlers, who were later arrivals than the writer of the jour- 
nal. 

Land-hunters were abundant at this time, a few of them 
coming with the intention of settling, but the majority 
being speculators, who eventually made the settlers their 
victims. One early resident carried on a very lucrative 
business in showing the.se parties about and locating lands 
for them, and it is told as a fact that he would always dis- 
criminate between the speculative individual, and the one 
who desired to locate, and invariably turn the cold shoulder 
upon the former. 

Snow-squalls were frequent, and often did much damage, 
cattle becoming bewildered and often lost. Mr. Henry 
Lockwood lost two yoke of oxen, and immediately insti- 
tuted a diligent search for them. After much labor they 
were found at Fort Wayne, Ind., a distance of many miles. 
In his search for them he went as far as Toledo, and one 
day traveled from morning till night without seeing a living 
face or a human habitation. 

Indians were numerous and paid the settlers frequent 
visits, often exchanging game for the more substantial 
articles of food. They were always decorous and scrupu- 
lously honest. It is related of them that in passing through 
the fields tli y would invariably take the fences down and 
leave them in that condition, regarding it as a trespass upon 
their trail to build fences. A certain degree of shrewdness 
in their bargains was often apparent. An Indian called 
upon the wife of an early settler for a loaf of quas-kau or 
bread, which he desired to exchange for venison. Upon 
receiving it he squeezed it to a small and shapeless mass, 
and exclaimed, " Small piece." The same lady prepared a 
dinner for an Indian who offered game in exchange. He 
went away leaving the meal untasted because she would not 
accept the half of what he had, and refused to give more. 

It was common in these early times in clearing the land 
to burn the brush that accumulated, and this was attended 
with some danger. Samuel Treat related to the writer his 
own experience in this particular while clearing a portion 
of the land he had purchased, when the smoke became so 
dense that he was prostrated and found relief almost im- 
possible, narrowly escaping suffocation. 

Parley Stockwell came to Ovid, in 1842, and located on 
the northeast corner of section 16, which was for a time 
known as Parley's Corners. This portion of the township 
was still uncleared, no settler having entered land within its 
boundaries. He purchased a tract and immediately began 
clearing the land, established an ashery for the manufacture 
of potash. The year following a post-office was established 
with Mr. Stockwell as postmaster. While performing the 
duties of this responsible office he would carry the mail in 
his pocket, and deliver letters as they were called for. This 
was in the day of high postage rates, and invariably the 
remark would be made on receipt of a letter, " Can't pay 
to-day, — bring it next time ;" thus establishing a sort of 
postal credit between the official and the public, which 
eventually became so irksome to the postmaster that he 
resigned, when James Hawks became his successor. The 
office was finally abandoned. 

Soon after, Mr. Stockwell built a school-house, a tempo- 





mO'OS b' KiNOMiti^. Coldwiti^. 



D/!\NIEL WILSON MO 



MRS OANIELWILSON 



DANIEL WILSON, M.D. 



Among the old practitioners of Branch County 
who, by their ability as physicians and their worth 
as citizens, have made not only prominent records, 
but have stamped their names indelibly upon the 
pioneer history of the county, is Dr. Daniel Wilson. 
He was born Dec. 6, 1810, in Berkshire Co., Mass., 
and was the son of Reuben and Sabrah (Toilet) Wil- 
son, who had a family of eleven children. 

The elder Wilson was a carpenter and joiner by 
occupation, and in medium circumstances. Daniel 
lived with his father until he was eighteen, and by 
his own unaided efforts acquired an etlucatiou suffi- 
cient to enable him to teach a common school in the 
town of Barrington, Yates Co., N. Y., whither his 
parents had removed when he was two years of age, 
and this pursuit he followed at intervals for many 
years. While very young he decided to become 
a ])hysician, and as soon as his circumstances would 
admit he went into the office of Dr. Spence, of 
Dundee, N. Y. He afterwards studied with Drs. 
Whitney and Huston, of Yates County, receiving 
his diploma from the medical society of that county. 
He practiced medicine in New York until 1836, 
when he came to Branch County, whence his father 



had emigrated with his family in 1835. The elder 
Wilson settled in Ovid, where he purchased three 
hundred acres of land. Daniel bought eighty acres 
of hLs father, in the autumn returned to New York, 
and in 1839, with his family, which consisted of his 
wife and his son, James R., settled in Union City, 
where he established himself in the practice of his 
profession. He returned to Ovid in the fall, and 
there he has sini^e resided. Here he carried on his 
farm, in connection with his professional duties, until 
incapacitated by bodily intirmitias. The doctor has 
been prominently identified with all the material 
interests of Ovid. He was supervisor for many 
years, w.ts sheriff of the county, surveyor, and under 
an act of the Legislature appropriating five thousand 
acres of land for the improvement of the highways, 
he was appointed commissioner to locate and sell the 
land and expend the proceeds. 

Feb. 9, 1834, he married Miss Mary Sprowls, of 
Yates Co., N. Y., who was iwrn in New Jersey, Dec. 
25, 1810. They have been blessed with two chil- 
dren, James R. and Marian, now Mrs. A. A. Abbott. 
She was born in Union City in 1840. James R. 
was born in Starkey, Yates Co., N. Y., in 18.36. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



313 



lary structure, ten feet by twelve in dimensions, and fur- 
nished it with stove and other appointments ready for 
ocoupation. Miss Allen, from Coldwater, now deceased, 
was the first instructor, havin;; about twi-nty pui)ils. Tiie 
year following, Mr. Stoeliwell taujrht the school himself, 
and as he facetiously e.xpre.s.ses it, " ho erected the first 
university in Ovid, and was its first president." Divine 
service and a Sabbath-school were occasionally held in this 
little ten-by-twelve school-house, a clergyman named Davis, 
from Coldwater, being the prt^aeher, whose sermons weic 
most practical and excellent. .lames Hawks was the next 
pioneer who located in the neighborhood, and Robert Haynes 
came soon after and opened a blacksmith-shop. Henry E. 
Rarber and William Artnstrnng came later, the first having 
bought 20 acres of Mr. Hawks, which be paid for in labor, 
and the latter having located on section 15. Roswell F. 
Davis located east of Aimstrong, on the same section. He 
was killed by the falling of a tree while felling timber for 
his cattle to feed upon. Not eoniiiig in from the woods for 
many hours after he bad loft his lionie, the family became 
alarmed and went in search of him. The accident bad 
already proved fatal. 

Gardner Scofield came about this time and erected a 
saw-mill upon land on section 8, which Stuart Davis had 
given him. He afterwards sold the mill to Martin Kin.sley. 
George Chamberlain came with his wife in 1845, and Mr. 
Stockwell allowed them land enough on which to erect for 
themselves a comfortable dwelling-place, and which took 
ju.st a week to construct. He then gave them each a cup 
and saucer, a knife and lurk, and dther necessary articles 
for housekeeping, and with this scanty outfit they began 
life ill their Western home. Mr. Stockwell declares that 
they presented the most perfect picture of domestic bliss 
that has ever come under his observation, and that he nar- 
rowly escaped following their example and discarding his 
bachelor habits. 

There are two ehurebes in Ovid, tbc First Free Regular 
Baptist and the Church of the United Brethren, the latter 
a strong organization, which, togetlu'r with a similar society 
in Bethel, absorbs a large proportion of the church-going 
population of the township. We are unable to give a more 
complete history of this Church. 

The First Free Regular Baptist church edifice was erected 
in 1871, and the first organization Wius effected in 1863, 
with Henry Lockwood, Eli Cheney, Henry B. George, and 
George W. Reed as its first trustees. For 1864, Stephen 
Ferguson and Henry Lockwood were elected to the same 
office; for 1865, J. C. Smith and Henry Lockwood; for 
1866, H. B. George and Nathaniel Batchelder; for 1867, 
H. R. Wilson and Henry Lockwood ; for 1868, Eli Cheney ; 
for 1871 , Henry Lockwood and Henry B. George ; for 1872, 
William Walker; for 1873, Henry B. George; for 1874, 
Henry Lockwood; for 1875, William Walker; for 1876, 
Henry B. George; for 1877, Henry Lockwood; for 1878, 
Henry B. George. The organization is a flourishing one 
and the services well attended. We are unable to give the 
names of the pa.stors since the establishment of the society, 
with the exception of the present incund)ent, who is Rev. 
Simon D. Burlingame, who resides in Coldwater. 

The surface of Ovid is somewhat undulating, being di- 
40 



versified by several small lakes, — a portion of Coldwater 
Lake extending into its southern boundary, while Lake of 
the Woods lies on the west side, and Long Lake and Mud 
Lake on the east. The Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake 
Michigan Railroad is represented on county maps as run- 
ning through the northeast portion of the township, with 
Fuller's Station as the important depot, but neither of these 
have other than an imaginary existence. 

The soil of Ovid is a gravelly loam, and well adapted to 
the raising of grain, though also regarded as valuble for 
grazing purposes. For farming pursuits it may be regarded 
as one ol' the most desirable townships in Branch County. 

The records of the town.sliip of Ovid are .so incomplete 
as to afford very little information to the reader. We are 
able only to give a list of the supervisors, together with 
such other townshi]) officers as wc are able to find from 
outside sources, and a complete list after 1869 ; the clerks 
of the township, after that period, having deemed them of suf- 
ficient importance to preserve and maintain in proper order. 
Undoubtedly there must at some time in the pa.st have 
been records as full and complete as this, and why they 
should have been consigned to oblivion, without the slightest 
regard to their importance, is beyond the comprehension of 
the investigating historian. From the oldest su])ervis(ir, 
as well as from the pre.sent clerk, we are informed that no 
records of the township's psist history arc in existence. 

The following is the incom|)lete list : 

1837. — John Wat^rhouse, Supervisor; William Bockes, 
George Matthews, Hiram High, School Inspectors. 

1838. — Joseph Hudd, Jr., Supervisor; William Bockes, 
Clerk; John 11. Stevens, Martin Olds, School Inspectors; 
John Waterliouse, Jr., Stuart Davis, Constables. 

From 1838 until. 1842 the county commissioners per- 
formed the duties of the supervisors. 

183'J.— Oliver 1). Culvin, J. G. Brooks, R. F. Davis, 
Inspectors of Kleelinn. 

1840. — George Tripp, Levi Wilson, J. G. Brooks. 

1842. — J. G. Brooks, Supervisor ; Henry Lockwood, 
Joseph Bryant, School Inspectors. 

1843.— J. G. Brooks, Supervisor; E. B. Wright, L. 
Wilson, School Inspectors. 

1844. — E. D. Corwin, Supervisor; Daniel Wilson, Levi 
Wilson, John Wilson, Inspectors of Election. 

1845. — E. D. Corwin, Supervisor. 

1846. — Daniel Wilson, Supervisor. 

1847. — Daniel Wilson, Supervisor. 

1848. — Daniel Wilson, Supervisor. 

1841). — E. D. Corwin, Supervisor. 

1850. — E. E. Corwin, Supervisor. 

1851. — Levi Wilson, Supervisor. 

1852. — E. D. Corwin, Supervisor. 

1853. — Daniel Wilson, Supervisor. 

1854. — Daniel Wilson, Supervisor; C. D. Brown, Justice 
of the Peace; Levi Wilson, Town.sliip Clerk. 

1855. — F. D. Corwin, Supervisor; G. W. Stevens, Town- 
ship Clerk ; W. F. Bristol. Justice of the Peace. 

1856. — Levi Wilson, Supervisor ; A. R. Bingham, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Charles G. Abbott, Washington Russell, Heman 
Russell, Constables. 



314 



HISTORY OF BEANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1857. — Levi Wilson, Supervisor ; A. D. Kellogg, Justice 
of the Peace; H. A. Russell, Jesse Maxon, H. T. Corwin, 
W. W. Russell, Constables. 

1858. — Daniel WiLson, Supervisor. 

1859. — E. D. Corwin, Supervisor; A. R. Riiigham, 
Township Clerk ; Sylvanus Wilson, James D. Conkling, 
Silas N. Card, Justices of the Peace ; David Armstrong, 
Township Clerk ; Thomas Heisrodt, Charles G. Abbott, 
Constables. 

1860. — Jeremiah Cox, Supervisor; Charles Bucking- 
ham, William F. Bristol, Justices of the Peace ; E. J. 
Lockwood, Heman Russell, Alvin Norton, Thomas Heis- 
rodt, Constables. 

1861. — E. D. Corwin, Supervisor; Levi Wilson, Charles 
D. Brown, Charles R. Whitehead, Justices of the Peace; 
William Pound, Alvin Norton, Charles Wilson, Ahaz Brown, 
Constables. 

1862. — Daniel Wilson, Supervisor; 0. L. Davis, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Martin Kinsley, Charles R. Whitehead, Jus- 
tices of the Peace ; A. L. Wright, Nelson Pound, Con- 
stables. 

1863. — Daniel Wilson, Supervisor ; 0. L. Davis, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Alvin Norton, Gideon Houseman, Samuel 
Sweet, Constables. 

1864. — Levi Wilson, Supervisor ; 0. L. Davis, Township 
Clerk ; Charles R. Whitehead, Justice of the Peace. 

1865. — Levi Wilson, Supervisor. 

1866. — Levi Wilson, Supervisor ; Jerome Corwin, H. A. 
Russell, Charles Wilson, T. Heisrodt, Constables. 

1867. — -Daniel Wilson, Supervisor; Martin Kinsley, Dan- 
iel Wilson, Justices of the Peace. 

1868. — Sylvanus Wixon, Supervisor; C. B. Whitehead, 
Justice of the Peace ; Francis M. Howey, Constable. 

1869. — Levi Wilson, Supervisor; George Abbott, Town- 
ship Clerk ; Amos R. Bingham, Treasurer ; Levi Wilson, 
Justice of the Peace ; William F. Bristol, A. R. Bingham, 
School Inspectors ; William F. Bingham, Jesse Maxon, 
Highway Commissioners ; Samuel G. Treat, Heman A. 
Russell, Edwin S. Frederick, Albert M. Thompson, Con- 
stables. 

1870.— Henry B. George, Supervisor ; Stephen Fergu- 
son, Township Clerk ; Thomas Heisrodt, Treasurer ; Ben- 
jamin Fergu.son, Justice of the Peace; James R. Wilson, 
School Inspector ; James H. Smith, Jerome Corwin, High- 
way Commissioners ; Rufus R. Harris, Luther A. Russell, 
Albert Thompson, Joseph Wilson, Constables. 

1871. — David Wilson, Supervisor; Martin Kinsley, 
Township Clerk; J. R.Wilson, Treasurer; Daniel Wil- 
son, Justice of the Peace ; Sylvanus Wixon, Highway 
Commissioner ; David Wilson, School Inspector ; Rufus 
R. Harris, L. A. Russell, Thomas Heisrodt, John A. 
Rubier, Constables. 

1872. — Charles R. Whitehead, Supervisor ; Martin 
Kinsley, Township Clerk ; James R. Wilson, School In- 
spector ; Martin Kinsley, Justice of the Peace ; Daniel 
Wilson, William N. Conover, Highway Commissioners ; 
Luther A. Ru.ssell, Rufus R. Harris, Constables. 

1873. — Charles R. Whitehead, Supervisor; Martin 
Kinsley, Township Clerk ; Adelbert M. Fuller, Treasurer; 
Charles R. Whitehead, Justice of the Peace; Daniel Wil- 



r 



son. School Inspector; William N. Conover, Highway 
Commissioner ; Rufus R. Harris, Heman A. Russell, Lu- 
ther A. Russell, Constables. 

1874. — Charles R. Whitehead, Supervisor ; Wallace E. 
Wright, Township Clerk ; Adelbert M. Fuller, Treasurer; 
Levi Wilson, Justice of the Peace; Charles S. Wright, 
E. W. Treat, School Inspectors ; William P. Morey, Lewis 
C. Waldron, George W. Lobdell, lligliway Commissioners; 
Heman A. Russell, Carlisle Smith, Constables. 

1875. — Charles R. Whitehead, Supervisor; Wallace E. 
Wright,- Township Clerk ; Stuart Davis, Justice of the 
Peace; James R. Wilson, School Inspector; Charles S. 
Wright, Treasurer ; Leroy Lockwood, Superintendent of 
Schools; William P. Morey, Highway Commissioner; 
Sylvanus Wixon, Drain Commissioner; Heman A. Russell, 
Washington Russell, Niles Baldridge, Delos Wright, Con- 
stables. 

1876. — Charles R. Whitehead, Supervisor; Wallace E. 
Wright, Township Clerk; Charles S. Wright, Treasurer ; 
George W. Lobdell, Justice of the Peace ; Egbert W. 
Treat, School Inspector ; Leroy E. Lockwood, Superintend- 
ent of Schools ; William P. Morey, Highway Commis- 
sioner ; Heman A. Russell, Charles Parrish, Washington 
Russell, Carlisle Smith, Constables. 

1877. — Charles R. Whitehead, Supervisor; Henry B. 
George, Township Clerk; George H. Allen, Treasurer; 
Carlisle Smith, Justice of the Peace; William F. Bing- 
ham, Superintendent of Schools; Adelbert M. Fuller, 
School Inspector ; Lewis C. Waldron, Highway Commis- 
sioner ; Llewellyn Daniels, Rufus R. Harris, George W. 
Tindall, Geo. H. Reed, Constables. 

1878. — James R. Wilson, Supervisor ; Rufus R. Harris, 
Township Clerk; George H. Allen, Treasurer; Charles R. 
Whitehead, Justice of the Peace ; Alfred Cheeny, School 
Inspector ; William F. Bingham, Superintendent of Schools ; 
Lewis C. Waldron, Highway Commissioner; Adelbert M. 
Fuller, Drain Commissioner; George W. Tindall, Llew- 
ellyn Daniels, Charles Parrish, Joseph Wilson, Constables. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



HENRY LOCKWOOD. 

This gentleman, one of the old settlers and valuable citi- 
zens of Ovid, was born in the town of New Paltz, Ulst«r 
Co., N. Y., Nov. 1, 1812. He was the son of Uriah Lock- 
wood and Charity Terwilliger, who had a family of ten 
children, — ^five boys and five girls, — Henry being the eldest. 
The elder Lockwood was a farmer, and gave his children 
such advantages as his limited means would permit. Henry 
ac(iuired a fair common-school education, and up to the 
time he came to Michigan, in 1835, his life did not differ 
materially from most farm boys. Work on the farm in 
summer was succeeded by the usual term at the district 
school in winter. When Henry was twenty- three years of 
age his father emigrated to Michigan and settled in Ovid, 
where he purchased six hundred and forty acres of land. 
Henry also pur(Oiased eighty acres. They suifered many 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



315 




Photo, by E. Kindmurk, Culdwater. 



HENRY LOCKWOOI). 



privations and hardsliips, and, did space permit, we could 
narrate many an incident that, to the present generation, 
would sound more like fiction than fact. The elder Lock- 
wood was a gentleman of the old school, of unquestioned 
integrity, and possessed of more than an ordinary measure 
of energy and industry. He died in Ovid at an advanced 
age. Henry was married, at the age of twenty-seven, to 



Mi.ss Laura A. Davis, by whom he had ten children. She 
died Nov. 18, 1852, and in 1853 he was married to Miss 
Lucy Otis, who died in 1854, and for his third wife he 
married Mrs. Lydia E. Fisher. Mr. Lockwood has been 
prominently identified with the history of Ovid, and is 
justly considered to be among the representative men of 
the county. 



MATTESON. 



By an act of the Legislature approved March 6, 1838, 
the town of Matteson was organized from a portion of 
Bronson, including township 6 south, in range 8 west of 
the principal meridian, as designated on the government 
survey. 

Matteson is exclusively an agricultural township, there 
being no village in its limits, nor any manufacturing estab- 
lishments other than saw-mills. The soil is generally ipiite 
sandy, and the improvements are for the most part excel- 
lent. Part of the town is rolling, or gently undulating, 
while in the southwestern portion is an extensive plain. 
Many excellent farm residences are seen, which are evidences 
that the pursuits of agriculture and stock-raising are not 
without profit. 

The St. Joseph River and the Air-Line Division of the 
Michigan Central Railway crosses the northwest corner of 
the township. Matte.son Lake, a large and beautiful .sheet 
of water lying principally on .section 'S.'t, is a favorite re.sort 
at the proper season for varieties of wild fowl, and in the 



summer is visited by many pleasure and picnic parties, who 
spend the time in boating on its waters, enjoying the sur- 
rounding scenery and fishing. Both the inlet and the outlet 
of the lake are lined with ipiite extensive marshes, while the 
shores otherwise are usually high, sloping gently to the water, 
and aifording a most pleasing view. The lake is partly 
surrounded by fine groves, and in the one on the eastern 
shore very neat picnic-grounds have been fitted up by Dr. 
J. M. Cushraan, who has on hand boats for the use of these 
wishing to venture on tlu; " rolling deep.'' Dancing-floors 
arc also arranged, and many parties visit the place during 
the summer months. The outlet of Matteson Lake is 
known as Little Swan Creek, and is a stream of consider- 
able size and depth. Swan Creek proper crosses the south- 
east portion of the township, and a few smaller streams al-so 
lend their aid and fertilizing powers. 

Evidences that the vicinity of Matteson Lake was a 
favorite dwelling-place of an ancient race are quite numer- 
ous, in the shape of various mounds, etc. Several skeletons 



316 



HISTOKY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



have been exhumed from mounds at the head of the lake, 
on the farm of Dan Cushman, and from their size indicated 
that the persons whose frame-work they comprised were 
very tall in stature, and of fine physical proportions. From 
a mound on the farm of Noah Shaw, at the foot of the 
lake, were taken several implements of very ancient manu- 
facture, among tliera a stone pipe, smoothly polished, and 
a copper instrument (hardened) presenting the appearance 
of having been used in dressing skins. These are now in 
the possession of Milo Clark, at Bronson. 

On the farm now owned and occupied by C. C. Bennett 
was found a circular earthwork, about 100 feet in diameter 
and three or four feet high, when the place was settled in 
1838. Oak-trees three and one-half feet in diameter were 
growing upon it, their entire growth liaving been since the 
work wa.s built. It was finally leveled by the plow, and no 
traces of it now remain. 

That this region was inhabited by a mighty, and in many 
respects very intelligent, race, antedating any written his- 
tory, is evident from these mounds, earthworks, and dis- 
covered implements of war, the chase, and domestic life ; 
and it is well known that the savages, or Indians, who occu- 
pied the country when it became known to the whites, pos- 
sessed no knowledge of their predecessors other than that 
imparted by myths and legends, which had been handed 
down to them through many generations. The history of 
that remarkable people is locked in oblivion, and only an 
imperfect idea can be formed of it by the aid of such traces 
as they have left behind them, — traces which were common 
from the great lakes to the border of the great alluvial de- 
posit in the Southern Mississippi Valley, but which are 
fast disappearing before the ruthless pleasure of curiosity- 
seekers, or the carelessness of those on whose land they are 
found. In the Southwest their monuments are more last- 
ing, the heavy-walled cities, once-gorgeous temples, and 
substantial buildings there being less susceptible of ruin — 
except by the action of the elements — than the more lowly 
mounds and fortifications of the northern temperate zone. 
Could some powerful magician conjure up from his eternal 
sleep a proud chieftain of this extinct race, and bid him 
relate the story of his people, then would the researches of 
the historian and archaeologist be rewarded ; but only con- 
jecture, building on the foundation of the tittle that is 
known, can at this period be brought into play, and con- 
jecture is most uncertain and unsatisfactory. 

.STATISTICAL. 

The following table, compiled from the State census for 
1874, will afford an idea of the present status of the town- 
ship, its resources and valuable properties : 

Pojiulatiou (644 males, 578 females) 1,222 

Number of acres of taxable liiDcl 22,563 

" " land owDed by individuals 

and companies 22,583.50 

•* " improved land 11,3X7 

'* *' land exempt from taxation.. 20.50 

Value of same, including improvements SI, 050 

Number of acres in school-house sites 4.50 

** *' burying-ground 3 

" " railroad right of way 12 

" farms in township 226 

" acres in farms 19,915 

Average number of acres in farms SS. 1 1 

Xuinlier uf a(;res of wheat on ground in 1874 3,175 

" " " raised in 1873 2,730 



Number of acres of corn raised in 1873 1,826 

" bushels of wheat raised in 1873 34,78S 

" " corn " " 53,103 

*' " all other grain raised in 

1873 19,077 

" bushels of potatoes raised in 1873 7,785 

" tons of hay cut in 1873 1,396 

" pounds of wool sheared in 1873 14,256 

" " pork marketed in 1873 286,710 

" " butter made in 1873 37,894 

" " fruit dried for market in 

1873 20,387 

" barrels of cider made in 1873 559 

'* pounds of maple-sugar made in 1874. 8,715 

'* acres in orchards in 1874 590 

" bushels of apples raised in 1872 12,680 

" " " " 1873 12,665 

" hundred weight of grapes raised in 

1873 3 

'•' hundred weight of grapes raised in 

1S72 3 

Value of all fruit and garden vegetables, 1872... $4,563 

" " " " " 1873... $4,629 
Number of horses in township, one year old and 

over, 1874 '. 645 

" mules 8 

" work oxen 10 

** milch cows 635 

" neat cnttle, one year old and over, 

other than o.xen and cows 712 

'* swine over six months old 1,296 

" sheep " '* 3,333 

" " sheared in 1873 1,159 

" saw-mills in township 3 

" jiersons employed in same 10 

Amount of capital invested 8,000 

Feet of lumber sawed 480,000 

Value of products $2,250 

These figures will have changed materially by the time 
the census of 1880 is completed. 



ORIGIN or NAME. 

The name of the town.ship is very often spelled Ma/(ison, 
but in order to prove conclusively that this is incorrect it 
is only necessary to state that the man for whom it was 
named spelled his name Matteson. Amos Matteson, Esq., 
was a native of the State of Rhode Island, and moved 
quite early into the town of Burlington, Otsego Co., N. Y. 
In the spring of 1836 he came with his family to Michigan, 
and settled on the west shore of the lake which now bears 
his name. Ho had held the olEce of justice of the peace 
while living in New York, whence his title " Esquire." At 
the time of his removal to this township he was about 
fifty-five years of age, and when the subject of a new 
township was discussed his name was given to it because 
he was the oldest and most experienced man then living in 
it. Mr. Matteson was a person of much influence in the 
township while he lived, and those who knew him well 
revered his memory after death. He died a short time 
previous to the breaking out of the great civil war, and his 
remains rest in the cemetery near his old home. The 
orchard on the Matteson farm is yet to be seen, located 
near the west shore of the lake. He chose a most pictur- 
esque situation for his home, and his days were passed in 
peace on the shore of one of the loveliest of lakes in this 
region, abounding in such gems of nature. 

EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 

Although the township was named in honor of Mr. 
Matteson, he was not its first settler, notwithstanding he 
came before a road had been cut through the town, and 
before it had become of much importance in the estimation 
of the pioneers of the region. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



317 



The first entry of land in what is now ]\Iattc.son town- 
ship includod the soutli half of the southwest i|uarter of 
section IS, and was made in November, 18154, by Robert 
Watson, who still resides upon tlie place. He had come 
here at that time on a land-inspecting' trip, and after 
h)catin^ the above-described lot returned East, to his home 
in Vcnan<;o Co., I'a., in the midst of the since-famous oil 
re};ion. In Sci)tcniber, 1835, he brouiiht his family, con- 
sisting of his wile, two sons, and two daugliters, to their 
Michigan home. A log house, one and a half stories high, 
was soon built and occupied ; it .stood west of his present 
frame dwelling, where the orchard is located, and was 18 
by 20 feet in dimensions. On their arrival, Mr. Watson 
went to Colon, St. Joseph Co., purchased some lumber, 
returned with it, and built a small temporary shanty, in 
which they lived until the log house was ready. The 
latter was occupied a number of years. 

The old Kalamazoo trail passed close by Mr. Watson's 
house, and this be followed when he came in. Sometimes 
as many as liOd or 400 Indians passed along it, and the 
members of the family became well acquainted with the 
appearance and habits of the red dwellers in the forest. 

When Mr. Watson came West with his family he moved 
by wagon as far as Erie, where he shipped his wagon, a 
yoke of oxen, two cows, and himself and family to Detroit, 
from which place he took the Chicago road to the interior. 
His household goods were sent around by water from Erie 
to Niles, and from thence drawn by team to their destina- 
tion in Matteson. After his house was built, Mr. Watson 
commenced clearing his land and preparing it for culti- 
vation. A " breaking team" consisted of four or five yokes 
of oxen. Crops were put in during the spring of 1836. 
Mr. Watson, who is a native of Centre Co., Pa., will be 
seventy-nine years of age May 11, 1879. 

During the time intervening between the date of the 
entry of his land and his return to the township with his 
family, Nathaniel Turner and Abiather Culver had come 
with their families and taken up the balance of the section, 
and when Mr. Watson returned he aided them in building 
their houses, which they had begun, and they in turn a.s- 
sisted him to construct his. Mr. Turner and Mr. Culver 
are both deceased. The farm of the formcn- is occupied by 
his son, Ashley Turner, who struck the first blow toward 
improvement in the township of Matteson. Mr. Culver's 
farm is occupied by his youngest son, Oliver Culver. All 
three families experienced much sickne.ss during the fall for 
several years, principally ague, fevers, etc., diseases preva- 
lent in all new countries to greater or less extent. 

During tlie spring following their settlement, Messrs. 
Watson, Culver, and Turner helped to break each other's 
land, and in the fall following sowed the first wheat in the 
township. This part of town Wiis in the oak openings, 
with occasional tracts of two or three acres on whicli grew 
only thick willow brush. The timber consisted principally 
of several varieties of oak, with occasional hickory and 
black-cherry trees. Some of the finest farms in the town- 
ship arc in this vicinity. 

Before coming to Michigan, >Ir. Watson hail worked, 
when a young man, at milling, ciibirnl-niaking, ami the 
earpenler's trade, .\fler his marriage he entered into the 



mercantile business. Subsequent to his arrival in Michi- 
gan he worked a little at carpentering, building a Siiw-mill 
for a man named Eberhardt, etc. The first year after he 
came he cut a large cherry-tree, seasoned the wood, and 
made several articles of household furniture, among them 
a table and a stand, which are still in u.se. Tlie table has 
been in constant service since it was first made, and is as 
.sound as when new. Mr. Wat.son .says he has " raised two 
families at its side." His present wife is his second one, 
the first having been taken from him by death. 

Nathaniel Turner and Abiather Culver were from the 
.same town in Ontario Co., N. Y., owning land in the town- 
ships of Bloomfield and Victor, and both settled in Matteson 
in the fall of 183.^. 

The first birth of a white child in the township was that 
of Leroy Turner, son of Natlianiel Turner, which occurred 
Dec. 27, 1835. Mr. Culver's .son, Oliver, who is the 
present town.ship clerk, was born jiist five years later. 

Among the first marriages were those of Jonathan H. 
Culver and Mary Celinda Matteson, daughter of Amos 
Matteson, Esq., and Deborah Turner and a Mr. Travis. 
The first death is thought to have been that of a daughter 
of James K. Bennett, occurring in the neighborhood of the 
year 1840. Her coffin was made by Robert Watson, and 
she was buried on her father's farm. 

The first road through Matteson township was opened 
about 1837, being laid out by Charles C. Ferrin, who had 
settled in 1830, and been chosen a commissioner of high- 
ways in what w;us then Bronson. Mr. Ferrin lived near 
the road, which passes in places over the same route taken 
by the Indian trail. The latter, however, pa.ssed .south of 
the lake instead of north. The road extends from a point 
three miles we.st of Coldwater to Constantino, St. Joseph 
Co., and was opened by the settlers living along the route. 
It is known as the " State Road," and is yet the principal 
highway of the township. 

The Pollawallaniie Indians who occupied this region 
were very generally peaceful and quiet, and in some cases 
even gentlemanly. Their chief, a tall, noble Indian, whose 
name was Sau-quette, walked with the pride of a person 
born to lead and rule, and was in every way, except the 
polish of a civilized life, a perfect gentleman. On one oc- 
casion he and three of his warriors, who had just returned 
from a visit to Maumee, Ohio, stopped at Mr. Watson's 
and asked for some dinner. They were dressed in broad- 
cloth, and cov(;red with jewelry. iMrs. Wat.son asked what 
they would have, and they said they would like some tea. 
She prepared them some dinner, including tea, and after 
they had finished the chief asked what wa.s to be paid. Mrs. 
Watson replied " nothing." At this the chief arose in his 
dignity and wanted to know if she thought they were beg- 
gars. Taking out his pur.se he paid her twenty-five cents 
for each warrior and himself and departed. Sau-quette 
was some years afterward murdered by another Indian at 
Coldwater. His murderer was arrested and placed in jail 
at Branch, remaining about a year. As the laws of the 
whites could not be applied in his case, he Wiis finally re- 
leased and turned over to his tribe, who adminislen^d justice 
in tln'ir own way, and he suffered <leath. 

The same Ininble was experienced by the .settlers of this 



318 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



town which fell to the lot of those living in all localities 
far removed from a prominent market. For any surplus 
raised by the farmers there was no market nearer than De- 
troit, and as produce brought but small prices at that place, 
there was practically no market whatever. Occasionally a 
few bushels of grain or other produce were sold to a new 
settler. Salt sold here as high as six cents per pound. It 
was brought from New York to Detroit, and thence by 
team into the country settlements. Upon the completion 
of a railroad a good market was opened. Horses were very 
seldom seen, all work being done with oxen. 

Hiram Gardner, from Otsego Co., N. Y., came to Matte- 
son in the fall of 1836, purchased the place where his widow 
now lives, cleared about two acres, and built a log house at 
the southwest corner of the present orchard. While living 
in New York, Mr. Gardner had married Pamelia Matteson, 
daughter of Amos Matteson, Esq., who settled in this town, 
as previously described. In 1837, Mr. Gardner returned 
with his wife and three children. He became one of the 
prominent men of the township, and performed a great 
amount of labor. Physically he was very strong, and nu- 
merous anecdotes are related where his power was called 
into requisition. During his later years he was an acute 
sufferer ; and when the writer called upon him in March, 
1879, he was lying upon his dying bed, as it proved, for his 
death occurred a few days later, or March 16, 1879. His 
son, Amos Gardner, is the present supervisor of the town- 
ship. 

When Mr. Gardner moved to his farm in Matteson, the 
only families living in the township were those of Robert 
Watson, Nathaniel Turner, Abiather Culver, John Corson, 
Isaac Gilson, and Amos Matteson, or with possibly one or 
two others. The settlement of all these, except Corson and 
Gilson, has been mentioned. The former located on sec- 
tion 24, in 1836, and his widow and two sons, L. W. and 
D. Corson, are yet residents of the township. The farm 
lies south of the corners, east of Matteson Lake. 

Isaac Gilson lived in the western part of the township, 
and had been a resident of St. Joseph County, on the 
banks of the " Nottawa-sepee." He was from the State of 
Ohio. 

James K. Bennett, from Ontario Co., N. Y., emigrated 
to Matteson in the fall of 1838 with his family, arriving 
on the 19th of October, and locating on the farm where 
his son, C. C. Bennett, now lives. His family consisted of 
his wife and three children. Mr. Bennett purchased his 
farm (160 acres) from Horatio L. Folbes ; but the latter 
had made no improvements upon it, and Jlr. Bennett was 
obliged to commence by making his own clearing, and was 
therefore strictly a pioneer. He built a log house, where 
his widow is now living, one hundred and twenty rods east 
of the corners. C. C. Bennett occupies a fine brick resi- 
dence on the west side of the farm, and his sister, Mrs. S. 
Eleanor Allen, also resides in town. 

John Colmbs, the father of Mrs. C. C. Bennett, from 
Seneca Co., N. Y. (town of Romulus), was among the earlier 
settlers in the interior of Michigan. He moved West pre- 
vious to the year 1830, and located in Wayne County. His 
father, Thomas Colmbs, who was with him, died within a 
few years, and the son subsequently moved into Lenawee 



County (about 1837-39), where he died. His widow some 
time afterwards married Comfort Thompson, and came with 
him to Branch County in 1846, locating on section 36, in 
Matteson. Mrs. Thompson's brother and her father were 
soldiers during the war of 1812, and the latter was among 
the early .settlers of Lenawee Co., Mich. 

James 0. Johnson, a native of Rutland Co., Vt., after- 
ward a resident of New Jersey, New York City, and Ohio, 
living in Lorain County, in the latter State, for fifteen 
years, took a load of people to old Fort Meigs, above 
Toledo, in June, 1840, where a celebration was held in 
honor of Gen. William H. Harrison, the nominee for 
President. Sending his team home, he came to what is 
now Matteson, and purchased land on section 12. In 
February, 1841, he and his brother, Francis Johnson, — • 
both unmarried, — came out and began improvements on 
the place which, although purcha.sed from second hands, 
was yet in a state of nature. The present north and south 
road leading by the place had been laid out, but was not 
worked, and a team could with diSiculty make its way 
over it. 

Mr. John.son built a log house on his place, which is yet 
standing near the residence of his son, Rollin Johnson. 
His brother-in-law, Allen Turner, a son of Nathaniel 
Turner, one of the first settlers in the western part of 
the town, lived with Mr. Johnson in 1841 in the above- 
mentioned house. He was a carpenter by trade, and worked 
at it while his family remained with Mr. John.son. In 
1842 he built for his own use a log house, which now 
stands in the rear of the residence of Homer F. Johnson. 

In the fall of 1851, James 0. Johnson started on a 
journey to the newly-discovered land of gold — California — 
reaching there in March, 1852. He stayed three years, 
and his experience in that region was of a nature common 
with that of all others who were there during the first 
years of the excitement. 

Mr. Johnson's grandfather, Adam Johnson, came to the 
United States from Nova Scotia during the Revolutionary 
war, and espousing the American cause took up arms under 
Washington, and served through the remainder of the 
struggle. For his services Congress granted him a warrant 
for 400 acres of land, which included the site of the present 
city of Columbus, capital of Ohio. Before getting ready 
to move to it he died in Rutland Co., Vt., in which he had 
made his home. 

P. H. Sheldon, who settled in St. Joseph County in 
1835, has been a resident of Matte.son since 1873. James 
E. Fisk, who died in 1862, came to this township in 
1835Ci'), when his only neighbors were Indians and wild 
game. G. W. Tilton settled in Coldwater in 1832, and 
upon his present farm on the State road in Matteson in 
1841. R. C. Gwin, whose parents were among the pioneers 
of Cass County, came to Matteson in 18,44 ; J. W. Turner 
in 1841; H. McLean in 1845; R. E. Copeland in 1848; 
E. S. Faxon in 1846 ; and John Baker in 1848. 

W. M. McCarty located in Coldwater in 1831, and 
helped raise the second house in the place (?). He moved 
to Matteson in 1855. C. A. Dufoe settled on his present 
farm in 1838, and Francis Reynolds in 1846. 

William Alger settled near Dayburgh, Butler township, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTV, MICHIGAN. 



319 



in 1834, ;iiiil Icllcil tlie tiist tree iu tliat portion of the 
county. lie remuveJ to Mattcson in 1859. Durino; his 
residence in liutler lie hocunie ae(|uaintcJ with nearly every 
foot of ground about his hume. and is aiillmrity upon all 
points relating to the settlement of ami ineidents which 
transpired early in that township. 

CIVIL OIKiANIZATION. 

Oil the 23d of December, 1837, the inhabitants of town- 
ship (5 south, range 8 west, met at the house of Abiather Cul- 
ver and proceeded to business, as follows : " Mr. A. Culver 
was chosen moderator for the meeting ; Mr. J. Corson was 
chosen secretary for tlie meeting. 1st, it was voted that a 
petition would be presented to the Legislature to be set off 
for a separate town by the name of Mattcson."* The 
following is the act organizing the township : " All that 
portion of the county of Branch designated in the United 
States survey as township number G south, of range number 
8 west, be and the same hereby is set off and organized 
into a separate township by the name of Mattcson ; and the 
first town.ship-meeting therein shall be held at the house 
of Abiather Culver, in said township."f 

" .Mattesox, Ajiril 2, 1838. 

" Agreeable Ut the above act, and in pursuance of the 
same, Amos Mattcson was chosen as moderator; Robert 
Watson as clerk ; John Corson, James Gillis, and Hiram 
Gardner for inspectors of said election ; and after being 
duly sworn according to law proceeded to elect by ballot :"J 
Supervisor, Joseph Rudd ; Township Clerk, Robert Wat- 
son ; Assessors, Ephraim Cline, John Vaughan ; Com- 
mi.ssioners of Highways, Lazarus Eveihart, John Stailey, 
Robert Watson ; Justices of tlie Peace, Robert Watson 
and others (names so dim on record they could not be 
deciphered ) ; Collector, Charles F. Jackson ; Con.stables, 
Charles F. Jackson, Ashley Turner; School Inspectors, 
Thomas B. Watson, Hiram Gardner, James L. Gillis; 
Overseers of the Poor, Hiram Gardner, James L. Gillis; 
Fence-Viewer, Abiather Culver ; Poundmaster, Lazanis 
Everhart ; Pathmasters, John Vaughan, Nelson Washburn. 

The number of voters was so small that, as will be seen 
by reference to the above list, several offices were neces- 
sarily given to one person in some instances, in order that 
all might be filled. The records are missing for the years 
from 1839 to 1842, inclusive. Beginning with 1843 the 
following is a list of the principal officers of the township 
to tlie present time : 



SlJI'KltVISOR.S. 



1813. Hiram Gurjncr. 
1S44. J. 11. Culver. 
1845-46. Hiruiii Gurdner. 
lS47-t!l. .Iiuiics E. Fisk. 

1850. Kiraiii Oarilner. 

1851. AlU'U Turner, 

1852. James E. Fisk. 
1853-54. Jonathan II. Culver. 

1855. James E. Fisk. 

1856. J. H. Culver. 
1857-59. David Anderson. 



18B0, J, n. Culver, 

1861. Granville S, Burnett, 

1862. J. 11. Culver. 

1863. A. J. Ilichardson. 

1864. G, S. Burnett. 
1865-67. Derriek C,.;srin. 

1868. Q. S. Burnett. 

1869. J. H. Culver, 

1870. Samuel B. Corson. 
1871-76, Amos Gardner. 
1877. S. W. Sharrer. 



1843, 
1844, 
1845. 
1846. 
IS47. 
1848- 
1851. 
1852. 
1853- 
1855. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858, 



* Township records. 
*_ Town.-^Iiip records. 



t Laws of Michigan, 1838. 



TOWNSHIl' 

•Tonathan H. Culver. 
James 0. Johnson, 
.lohn Gray. 
James E. Fink. 
Samuel E. Fa.ton. 
50. Robert Watson. 
S. E. Faxon. 
Joel 11. Legg. 
54. .James E. Fisk. 
Samuel H. Beach. 
Robert E. Copcland. 
Edwin .S. Faxon. 
Allen Turner. 



CLERKS. 

1859. E. S. Faxon. 

1860. Charles M. Benedict. 
1861-64. Morris Howe. 
1865. Orrin F. Oliver. 
1866-67. Morris Howe. 

1868. Samuel B. Corson. 

1869. Edwin S, Faxon. 

1870. Manton E. Sawins. 
1871-73. Albert D. Fisk. 

1874. David Shimmol. 

1875. A. D. Fisk. 
1876-77. George W. Fulton. 



theasdhers. 



1843-45. Charles F. Jackson. 

1846. Jonathan H. Culver. 

1847. .Jesse Monroe. 
1848-50. Arch. G. Thompson. 
1851-52, Charles F, Jackson. 
185.3-54. John W. Turner. 

1855. Jacob L. Everhart. 

1856. Columbus C. Bennett. 

1857. Arnold H. Corson, 

1858. Ashley Turner. 



1859. Bentley Benedict. 

1860. Israel Wheeler. 

1861. John P. Fisk. 

1862. Derrick Corson. 

1863. Robert E. Copeland. 

1864. Derrick Corson, 
1865-70. Robert E. Copcland. 
1871-72. George W. Fulton. 
1873. Fritz Shaffmaster. 
1874-77. Daniel F. Rich. 



JlISTtCES OF THE PEACE. 



1843. 

1844. 
1845. 
1846. 
1847. 

1848. 

1849. 
1850. 

I85I. 
1852. 



1853. 
1854. 
1855. 

1856. 

1857. 
1858. 

1859. 



No record. 
John Stailey. 
.Jefferson Ballou. 
No record. 
Joseph Rudd. 
Stephen Edwards. 
Robert Watson. 
A. D. Coleman. 
No record. 

A. D. Coleman. 
C. A. Dufoe. 
John Corson. 
R. Watson, 

B, Benedict, 
J, Frederick. 
Hiram Gardner. 
Charles F. Jackson. 
J. Frederick. 
Allen Turner. 
Allen Turner. 
Adna H. Smith. 
Granville S. Burnett. 
James E. Fisk. 

M. L. Smith. 
Jefferson Ballou, 
.James 0. Johnson. 



1-860. G. S. Burnett. 
A. W. Plumlcy. 

1861. Archibald J. Richardson. 

1862. M. L. Smith. 
Ashley Turner. 

1863. Philetus Shaw, 

1864. G, S. Burnett. 

1865. A. J. Richardson. 

1866. M. L. Smith. 

1867. J. Ballou. 
Chauneey U. Noyes. 

1868. G. S. Burnett. 

1869. Philetus Shaw. 

1870. Charles Bothwick. 
A. J. Richardson. 

1871. S. B. Corson. 

1872. G. S. Burnett. 

1873. David Kibbs. 

1874. Daniel Quinby. 
John V. Allen. 

1875. J. V. Allen. 
J. S. Lytle. 

1876. Selleck Sharrer. 

1877. R. E. Copeland. 
D. L. Orcutt. 



1843. Ashley Turner. 
Joseph Rudd. 

1844. Ashley Turner. 
Alvin Monroe. 

1845. Ephraim Cline. 
Alvin Monroe. 

COMHtSSIONRRS 

1843. Benjamin Fisk. 
Jacob Lindley. 
Ephraim Cline. 

1844. Allen Turner. 
John Cronbaugh. 
Jacob Everhart. 

1845. James E. Fisk. 
Chauneey B (n.imc il- 
legible). 

Orrin Terry. 



ASSESSOUS. 

1846 



No record. 

1847. Hiram Gardner. 
Joseph Rudd, Jr. 

1848-49. No record. 
1850. Josiah Frederick. 
F. W. Latta. 

OF IIKJHW.WS. 

1846. Jacob Saibry. 

Alvin Monroe. 

C. J. Ballou. 
1817. .Abraham Lowry. 

James F. Dunbar. 

J. S. Hunt. 

1848. J. F. Dunbar. 
.411cn Turner. 

1849. Ervin C. Fisk. 
Hiram Gartlner. 



320 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



1850. Bentley Benedict. 
Crandle Birch. 

1851. Jacob L. Everhart. 

1852. Jacob Liter. 

1853. Joseph S. Hunt. 

1854. Francis Reynolds. 

1855. Nelson Bradley. 

1856. Comfort Thompson. 

1857. A. J. Richardson. 
L. K. Lewis. 

' J. L. Everhart. 

1858. J. L. Everhart. 

1859. Lyman K. Lewis. 

1860. Samuel B. Corson. 

1861. J. L. Everhart. 

1862. C. A. Dufoe. 

1863. Samuel Corson. 

SCHOOL 

1843. Hiram Gardner. 

1844. Hiram Gardner. 
Joseph Rudd, Jr. 

1845. Joseph Rudd, Jr. 
Richard Dougherty. 

1846. Jefferson Ballou. 

1847. Hiram Gardner. 

1848. Francis Johnson. 

1849. Hiram Gardner. 
Nelson D. Dufoe. 

1850. N. D. Dufoe. 

1851. E. S. Faxon. 
Robert Watson. 

1852. Francis R. Johnson. 

1853. Hiram Gardner. 

1854. William F. Minnerly. 

1855. Hiram Gardner. 

1856. David Anderson. 

1857. Charles M. Benedict. 

1858. C. M. Benedict. 
D. Anderson. 

1859. D. Anderson. 

1860. Hiram Gardner. 



1863. 

1864. 

1865. 
1866. 

1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870, 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 

187.5- 



Ira Williams. 
J. L. Everhart. 
Daniel Rich. 
John P. Fisk. 
Francis Reynolds. 
Daniel F. Rich. 
.1. L. Everhart.*- 
.James 0. Johnson. 
Alexander Anderson. 
J. L. Everhart. 
James 0. Johnson. 
Alex. Anderson. 
George Keyes. 
James 0. Johnson. 
F. ."^haffmaster. 
77. George Keyes. 



INSPECTORS. 

1861. Samuel E. Faxon. 

1862. David Anderson. 
James D. Studley. 

I 1863. Isaac A. Gray. 
! 0. White. 

1864. Seymour S. Sage. 

1865. Hud.son Miller. 

1866. Manton E. Sawins. 

1867. Jonathan Culver. 

1868. C. D. Robinson. 
M. B. Warner. 

1869. Hudson Miller. 

1870. L. E. Wilcox. 
D. Corson, 

1871. D. Corson. 

1872. L. E. Wilcox. 

1873. A. J. Richardson. 
Edward P. Sands. 

1874. E. P. Sands. 
J, Corson. 

1875-76. E. P. Sands. 
1877. C. A. Ba.xter. 



TOWNSHIP SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. 

1875-76. Jay C. Corson. | 1877. H. M. Fish. 





OVERSEERS OF THE 


POOR. 


1843. 


James 0. Johnson. 


1852. 


J. Ballou. 


1844. 


John B. Dougherty. 


1853. 


Samuel Beach. 




George Wilcox. 




W. H. Hammond. 


1845. 


Jacob Lindley. 


1854. 


Samuel Beach. 




John S. Dougherty. 




W. H. Hammond. 


1846. 


Joseph Hunt. 


1855. 


Ashley Turner. 




Jonathan H. Culver. 




Amos Matteson. 


1S47. 


Iliram Gardner. 


1856. 


Allen Turner. 




James E. Fisk. 




W. H. Hammond. 


1848. 


No record. 


1857. 


Henry Wansey. 


1849. 


Jefferson Ballou. 




Morgan L. Smith. 




Jesse Monroe. 


1858. 


G. W. Tilton. 


1850. 


No record. 




John R. Winans. 


1851. 


Robert Copeland. 


1859. 


Henry Winans. 




Welcome Hammond. 




William G. McCarty 


1S52. 


J. Frederick. 







DRAIN COMMISSIONERS. 

1872. C. H. Noyes. 1874. R. E. Copeland. 
Carey Dunn. I 1875, No record. 
Lyman IC. Lewis. : 1876. F. Shaffmaster. 
Charles A. Goodman I 1877, R. E. Copeland. 

1873. Hector McLean. I 

Officers elected in 1878. — Supervisor, Amos Gardner; 
Township Clerk, Oliver B. Culver ; Treasurer, Arthur G. 

'^' Also spelled Eeerhenri and Ehn-hanl on the records. 



Copeland ; Justices of the Peace, Ashley Turner, Samuel 
Lilly; Commissioner of Highways, C. C. Bennett; Drain 
Commissioner, William Anderson ; School Superintendent, 
Jay C. Corson ; School Inspector, Samuel Gardner ; Con- 
stables, James Fisk, Charles Culver, William G. Chamber- 
lain, Jason Baldwin. 

SCHOOLS. 

On the 8th of April, 1839, the school commissioners 
met, and divided the township into four school districts, 
viz.. No. 1 ; west district, or No. 2 ; northwest district, or 
No. 3 ; and southeast district, or No. 4, " The inhabitants 
of school district No. 2 met at the house of Abiather Cul- 
ver, pursuant to notice, Nov. 19, 1839, for the purpose of 
electing district officers and other purposes belonging to the 
annual meeting."* Among other business transacted it 
was voted to raise five dollnrs to purchase a district library, 
a like amount to buy a library case, and that the library 
should be kept at the residence of Abiather Culver, with 
Jonathan H. Culver as librariau. It was also voted to 
raise $75 to pay for a six months' school. 

About 1838-39 a log school-house was built iu what is 
now district No. 2, on the ground where stands the present 
stone school building. A school was made up from the 
families of Robert Watson, Nathaniel Turner, Abiather 
Culver, and Isaac Gilson, and taught by Jonathan H. 
Culver. This was the first school in the township, and 
was sustained by private subscription. 

On the north side of the State road, on section 14, a log 
school-house was built about 1841-42, and a school con- 
ducted by Melissa Webster. It was a winter term, and 
attended by the children of Hiram Gardner and others in 
the vicinity. Mi.ss Webster lived in Colon, St. Joseph Co. 
In the fall of 1848 the school-house in district No. 5 was 
built, and the number attending at the log building was 
considerably diminished. 

The families in the neighborhood of Matteson Post-OfiSce 
sent their children for a time to the log school-house above 
described. In the spring of 1855, however, the present 
frame building at the Corners was erected, and Miss Maria 
Monroe employed as teacher. She had previously taught 
in a building which stood about where the present black- 
smith-shop is, and which had been used, as occasion re- 
quired, as a blacksmith-shop, school-house, law-office, etc. 

MATTESON POST-OFFICE 

was established about 1854-5t!, with Edwin Faxon as first 
postmaster. He was succeeded by C. C. Bennett about 
1858, the latter retaining charge seven years. Both these 
gentlemen kept the office at their houses. Mr. Bennett's 
successor was Hammond Sawins, and he was followed by 
Mrs. Orcutt, who kept the office in the grocery at the 
Corners. Those since in charge have been John Allen, 
Anthony Sands, Mrs. Orcutt a second time, and the present 
incumbent, William Harrison Bennett. 

In the fall of 1852 a saw-mill was built at the Corners 
by Nichols & Shepard, of Battle Creek. This mill was 
destroyed by fire, and a second one was erected by Amos 
Matteson, Esq., which was also burned. The property 

* "Records. 




RESIDENCE or AMOS GARDNEf 



* fc- ■•*-* ■"* ^ " ' ~ j- m i ^ »Vj** "^**^***~ ~ ' ^ '-'<-— 1-*^ 




s y'^l^^ 





. _i 



Amos Gardner. 



il 'S\i^ 










v^>"^ELi:^':^t;fer^ ■ 



riESON, BRANCH LOUNTT, MJCH/GAN- 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



321 



afterwards passed into the hands of Hammond Sawins. A 
third mill on the same site has been burned since the pro- 
prietor of the present one, John Wood, purchased the 
propert)'. This mill ha.s done a largo business in recent 
years, but is now used but little. 

A general store was established here in 18G5 hy Daniel 
Orcutt, but wa.s finally discontinued. Another has been 
established farther east by \V. H. Hcnnott, the present 
postmaster. Besides the post-office, saw-mill, store, and 
.school-house, the settlement contains one blacksmith- and 
wagon-shop and several dwellings. 

The cemetery, northwest of Matteson Lake, was laid out 
about 1855, and contains 3 acres. It is very pleasantly lo- 
cated, and the only one in the townshi]>. Burials were 
made, before this cemetery was provided, in private lots in 
different parts of town, one of which was on the premises 
of Amos Matteson. Many were removed from their differ- 
ent resting-places and transferred to the new cemetery when 
it had been made ready. 

The following article from the pen of John McLean, of 
Athens, Calhoun Co., was written de.scri|itive of the times 
during the pioneer days, and is worthy of perusal. Those 
who experienced the trials of life in the wilderness will 
appreciate his words : 

" Let us take a review of the times from the early settle- 
ment of the counties of Branch, Calhoun, St. Joseph, and 
Kalamazoo. I have not the exact date of the first settle- 
ment of these counties, but I think the greatest tide of im- 
migration was in ISBt). The land was mostly taken by 
actual settlers from 1835 to 1840. That which was not so 
taken was mostly gobbled up by speculators. But little 
capital was brought into these counties. Generally the set- 
tlers came from New York and Pennsylvania with wagons, 
in which were their effects, and barely money enough to 
pay for their land, which had previously been entered. 

" Micliigan was as well adapted to pioneer life as any 
country in the world, with the exception of fever and ague. 
The country was diversified with timbered land, prairies, 
openings, and marshes, the latter affording hay witii which 
to winter the stock. The openings only had to have the 
trees girdled and broken up in order to produce good crops. 
Wild game and fish were abundant. The prairies and 
openings were first settled. The principal difficulties to 
overcome were the ague and the distance to mill and 
market, many having to go to Detroit for their supplies. 
After this the railroad came to Jackson, which was then 
their nearest market. It then took throe days to go to 
mill and return. One of those pioneers, living in Colon, 
ground corn in a coffee-mill, which was all a family of seven 
or eight had to live on for a week. Others made a cavity 
in a solid stump, into which the corn was placed and 
pounded to meal by a pestle. A combination of economy 
and industry are sure roads to wealth and influence. In 
point I instance the Wagners, of Colon. The elde.st son of 
the family came there with barely money enough to enter 
160 acres of land, at $1.25 per acre, in 1835 or 1836. He 
erected a log cabin, and the hardware u.scd in its construc- 
tion cost less than S2. As soon as this w:ts done the bal- 
ance of the family followed with barely money enough to 
get there. In 185(1 the family was worth from $:!0,000 to 
41 



840,000. This accumulation was made after supporting 
a family of eighteen children. (Mr. Wagner was twice 
marjied, and had nine children by each wife.) My uncle 
came here in 183G, and brought with him $4000 and a 
family of healthy boys, four of whom were able to do the 
work of as many men. I remember his saying to me, in 
1845, ' There is Mr. Turner, whose family is about the size 
of mine, who came here at the same time that I did, with 
barely money enough to get hero ; to-day he is worth as 
much money as we are.' I saw one of Mr. Turner's sons 
the other day, and he told me that he struck the first blow 
in Matte.son. 

" In those days the new-comer was hailed with delight. 
All the capital he needed was two strong arms to wield the 
axe or guide the breaking-plow. If he brought a family 
with him there was plenty of wild land ho could buy on 
time. The neighbors would club together and help him 
put up a log cabin. All that was needed to be bought was 
a few pounds of nails, to make a door and case a window, 
and twelve lights of 8 by 10 glass, and he had as good a house 
as his neighbor. The door was liuiig with wooden hinges 
and a wooden latch. Girls and boys went to dances with 
ox-teams. If a man chanced to have a horse or pony he 
would make a ptiiiff or Jumper out of poles, put on a crockery 
crate for a box, and have a grand time sleigh-riding. I do 
not know but the young folks enjoyed themselves then as 
well as they do now. Neighborhoods extended for miles. 
Men would go from three to five miles to help a man raise 
a log cabin. When a frame barn was raised it was consid- 
ered a holiday. They would get together at an early hour, 
some going at le;i.st five miles. The barn was generally 
raised in the space of two hours or less, and a game of ball, 
jumping, wrestling, etc., followed, then refreshments were 
served, after which they went home, feeling that they had 
a good time. 

" A few sheep were kept by the early settlers, and their 
wool was carded and spun, a few pounds of cotton yarn 
purchased for warp, and the wool and cotton woven together 
for clothing. There was many a poor woman made quite 
a comfortable living with her loom. She generally took 
produce for her pay, sometimes getting an order on the 
store; and by tho.se that lived in the timber, maple-sugar 
and anything she could make use of in the family was taken 
for pay. Barter w;is the general custom of the country. 
Men paid for breaking up the openings with steers or oxen. 
Maplosugar was swapped for pork, corn, or wheat ; lumber 
and shingles for produce ; oxen, cows, or horses were taken 
by the mechanic for the building of houses or barns. 
Wheat was about the only thing that brought money, and 
for that they were sometimes forced to take part store pay. 
I have heard men tell of drawing wheat from the town of 
Sherwood to Jackson, and selling it for 35 cents porbu.shel, 
and having to take half their pay in goods out of the store, 
and the rest in wild-cat money. We talk of being taxed 
to death. Think of drawing wheat from forty to eighty 
miles and selling it for from 35 to 50 cents per bushel, and 
paying from 12' to 25 cents for prints, 12 to 15 cents for 
brown sugar, fri>m 75 cents to SI i'or tea. and having to give 
from 4 to S bushels of wheat for a pair of coarse boots, 
and those hardly worth bringing home ; or going six to ten 



322 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



miles with a few dozen eggs, and having to sell them for 
4 cents per dozen, and pay four times as much for goods as 
we do now ! 

" What would the young married folks think of going in 
the woods and throwing up a log cabin, covering it with 
shakes, and building a stone back wall and a stick chimney 
for a fireplace ; constructing a table out of a dry goods box ; 
making their bedsteads out of poles and using bark for cords, 
and slabs with holes bored in the poles or sticks for legs? 
This is the way many of the first settlers commenced in 
Michigan." 

To those who have aided in the compilation of the fore- 
going sketch are returned sincere obligations. Among 
them are Robert Watson, Oliver B. Culver, Hiram Gardner 
(since deceased) and wife, James 0. Johnson, C. C. Ben- 
nett, Mrs. Comfort Thompson, and others. A few items 
have been taken from the articles published during the 
winter of 1878-79 in the ColdicaUn- RejmUican, and the 
existing records and other sources of information, have been 
consulted. It is confidently believed that the history of the 
township will prove generally satisfactory. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



AMOS GARDNER. 

Samuel Gardner was a native of Vermont, and when a 
young man emigrated to New York, and with his wife set- 
tled on a farm in Otsego County, where he lived all bis 
life, dying at an advanced age. He reared a family of five 
children, named Mehitable, David, Hiram, Edward, and 
Benjamin. Hiram was born Dec. 12, 1805, at the old 
home in Burlington, Otsego Co. He was reared a farmer, 
and obtained a good education, and when a young man 
taught school for a number of terms. In 1830, at tlie age 
of twenty-five years, he was married to Pamelia, daughter 
of Amos Matteson, who was afterwards one of the first set- 
tlers in the township that bears his name in Branch County. 

In 1836, Hiram came to Michigan, purchased two hun- 
dred and forty acres of government land in the township of 
Matteson, and the following year moved his family and 
settled on his new land, where he has ever since resided, 
and where the venerable old pioneer couple are still liv- 
ing. They are the parents of eight children, named 
Dewitt, Amos, Samuel, Diadamia, Jonas, Delia, Celinda, 
and Pamelia, who are all living except Dewitt and Dia- 
damia. Amos was born at the old Ot.sego home, in 
New York, March 18, 1833. Having been reared on the 
new farm in Matteson, his advantages for obtaining an 
education in his boyhood were limited indeed, so far as a 
book education went ; but chopping, logging, and clearing 
up his father's new farm, and afterwards his own, devel- 
oped a strong, robust, physical capacity, which, united to 
more than ordinary natural mental endowments, have made 
him a man of much consideration and influence in his 
locality. He remained at home with his father until he 
was twenty-one years of age, when he worked out by the 
mouth for a year or two, and then, in 185G, went to Iowa, 



where he spent a few months ; thence he went to KansE 
where he took up some land, and made some improvement 
He then sold out and returned to Michigan, and worki 
his father's farm on shares fur the next three years, t 
then made a purchase of one hundred acres of wild lat 
adjoining his father's farm in the town of Matteson, at 
on Jan. 1, 1803, he was united in marriage to Miss Elk 
A., daughter of Eri Whelan and Hannah Whelan, old se 
tiers of Lenawee Co., Mich. By purchases he added 
his farm, until now it consists of two hundred and fori 
acres of finely-cultivated, fertile lands, well adapted to tl 
production of all kinds of grain, grass, and fruit. M 
Gardner has been very successful as a farmer, and he ali 
pays much attention to the rearing of stock. He is he 
in high esteem in his town, and is at this time serving h 
seventh term as supervisor. His wife, who is a remarkab 
intelligent and fine-looking lady, has borne him three ch: 
dren, named Ella M., Gertrude B., and Donna Inez. 

By reference to other pages of this work may be four 
a large double-page view of the farm of Amos Gardne 
and the portraits of himself and wife. 



JAMES O. JOHNSON. 

Adam Johnson, the grandfather of our subject, was bor 
in 1750, and when a very young man, at the commenc 
ment of the war between the Colonies and the Britis 
government, became a refugee from Nova Scotia. B 
escaped from the British authorities, joined the patri( 
forces, and fought all through that great struggle. At tl 
close of the war he was married, and became the father < 
five children. He died in 1804, at fifty-five years of agi 
His son James was born Oct. 14, 1790, was reared a farme 
and on the 22d day of November, 1815, was married ( 
Sarah Ashley, of Pair Haven, Vt. They emigrated froi 
Vermont to Ohio in 1825, and in 1841 they came t 
Michigan and settled on a farm in the township of Matt( 
son. He afterward moved into the village of Union, wher 
in 1865, he died, at the age of seventy-five years. H 
wife died the same year, at the age of seventy-one. The 
were the parents of four children, named Fanny A., Betse 
E., James 0., and Francis R. Of these only James an 
Francis are now living. Francis resides on his farm in tb 
town of Sherwood, Branch Co. 

James 0. was born April 16, 1820, at Castleton, V 
He received a fair education in the common Englis 
branches, was brought up a farmer, remained with an 
assisting his father until his majority, and for many yeai 
after continued with his fiitber, all living and workin 
together as one family. 

July 25, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Sara 
Lindley, of Brunswick, Medina Co., Ohio, and the nes 
year he settled on a farm of his own in the township c 
Matteson. Oct. 30, 1854, he mourned the death of hi 
wife and loved companion. She was the mother of fou 
children, named Homer F., Adelaide, Francis M., an 
Rollin A. July 15, 1855, he filled the vacancy in his bom 
by a marriage with Miss Julia Lindley, a sister of his firs 
wife, by whom he has had four children, named James M, 
Sarah E., Laura II., and Etta L. In 1850 he went t 




f^ESIDENCE Of- J/^MES ( 




/^RS.J.O JOHNSON. 




— "M-^^ 




"iSOU, j^AlTiSOH.BKANCH Cv 



mSTOllY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



323 



California, where he remained tlirce years. He i.>< the 
owner of four liundroJ and forty aeru.s of niaj^iiificent farm- 
ing land, which he and his cnterprisin<; sons manage suc- 
cosfiilly. In addition to farniinj; Mr. Jolinson pays much 
attention to the rearing of tine im|iioVid stoeii, bolii in 
cattle and horses, being at lliis time tiie owner of one of 
till' finest Norman stallions in the State, and for which he 
has obtained many premiums. Mr. Johnson has been for 
many years an honored member of the Mascmic fraternity, 
and whether as entered apprentice, master, companion, or 



member of the council, he has ever been regarded by the 
craft as a good man. 

Mrs. Julia Johnson was born at Brunswick, Medina 
Co., Ohio, on the 3()th of July, 1822. She has been an 
honored member of the Methodist Kpi.scopal Church for 
over thirty-five years, and has borne her full share of life 
duties to her husband and children. We are able to pre- 
sent our patrons a fine view, on another page of this work, 
of the home and farm of another old settler of Branch 
County. 





I'iiittos. l>y E. Kiiulmurk, Coldw.itcr. 



JESSK .MEUEIUTII 



MKS. JESSE .MEREDITH. 



JESSE MEREDITH. 

While the (|uiet, unassuming citizen, the toiling, honest 
farmer, who remains at home an'd attends to his own business, 
never pushing himself forward in political strife, or ques- 
tionable schemes of speculation, may be overlooked and 
unnoticed in the pages of general history, it is proper that 
in a work of this kind some of the real repre.sentatives of 
the people should have a place. Of this cla.ss may be men- 
tioned Jesse Meredith, who was a native of Pennsylvania. 
His father's family emigrated to Ohio when he was a young 
man, where they were engaged in farming in Summit 
County. He was born on the 5th day of April, IS 12, was 
reaied a farmer, which occupation he followed through life, 
and he remained single until quite late in life, when he was 
united in marriage to Miss Caroline Sessions, who was born 
on the 6th of January, 1818. They were married on the 
Gth day of February, 1848. Two years after his marriage 
he removed to Michigan, and settled on a farm in the town- 
ship of Matteson, two miles north of the village of Bron- 
son, in Branch County. Their first house was, as u.sual in 
those days, constructed of logs, and they pitsscd through all 
the transitions from a pioneer commencement of chopping, 
logging, and clearing off the forest, to the beautiful culti- 
vated fields, orcliards, and comfortable residence and out- 
buildings of to-day. Mr. Meredith was in poor health for 
many years before his death, which occurred Sept. 1, 1871, 
at the age of fifty-nine years, leaving his widow in com- 



fortable circumstances. They have one child, named Dora, 
who is married and has two children. She resides on the 
old home-farm, with her mother. Mrs. Meredith has con- 
tributed the [wrtraits of herself and deceased husband to 
this work, as a memento of his unblemished life and 
character. 



ASHLEY TURNER. 
The ancestors of Mr. Turner were among the early settlers 
of New England. Nathaniel Turner, the father of Ashley, 
was a native of Mas.saehusetts, and when a young man went 
to Ontario Co., N. Y., and settled in the town of Victor, 
where he was married to Miss Asenath Culver. He pur- 
chased a farm and remained there until ISIJ.'j, when he and 
his eldest son came to Michigan in (|uest of a location for 
their futuie home. They were accompanied by Abiathar 
Culver, an tincle of young Turner. They arrived in Michi- 
gan, June, 1835, and made a selection in the present town- 
ship of Matteson, about nine miles northwest of the pres- 
ent village of Bron.son. The Turners bought of the govern- 
ment one hundred and sixty acres, and Culver bought two 
hundred and eighty acres. After making their selection, 
the elder Turner and Culver returned to New York for 
their families, leaving Ashley to make a beginning on their 
new land. He commenced by cutting the logs for a house, 
which was the first stroke ever made in the township with 
a view to a permamctit settlement. He cut and prepared 



324 



HISTORY OP BEANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



the logs for their house, but was unable to procure teaius to 
draw them together until quite late in the fall, when the 
families arrived with two ox-teams. 

Nathaniel Turner died in 1846, at the age of sixty-six 
years, and his widow followed him in 1849, at the age of 
fifty-nine years. They were the parents of eleven chil- 
dren, named as follows : Ashley, Allen, Fanny, Deborah, 
Mary Jane, Emeline E., Jonathan C, Eunice E., George 
L., Nelson, and Leroy. Of these, Emeline, Jonathan, 
Eunice, George, and Leroy are dead ; the others are all 
living, married, and have families. 

Ashley Turner was born Feb. 5, 1813, at Victor, Ontario 
Co., N. Y. At the age of fifteen years he was " bound out" 
to Jonathan Ransom, of Grafton, Ohio, with whom he re- 
mained until he was twenty-one. He then hired out and 
worked for Ransom for eighteen months. He then, in com- 
pany with his father and uncle, came to Michigan. Ashley 



and his parents lived and worked together all as one family 
until the death of the parents. After tliat Mr. Turner mar- 
ried Miss Mary Ann Junes, of Portage Co., Ohio. 

Mr. Turner has steadily pursued farming all these years, 
in wliicli he has been successful, and he still owns and re- 
sides upon the original one Imndred and sixty acres they 
bought of the government in 1835. On the 18th day of 
February, 1879, his wife died, after a brief illness of a 
few days. Two children have been born to them, named 
Edwin Leroy and Asenath P. Edwin died in 1874, at 
the age of nineteen years. The daughter, a remarkably 
fine-looking young lady of fourteen years, is at home with 
her father. 

Mr. Turner is hold in high esteem by all his friends and 
a wide circle of acquaintances. The view of the home of 
the old pioueer, and the portraits of himself and deceased 
wife, may be found on another page of this work. 



NOBLE. 



On the 19th of March, 1845, an act was passed by the 
Legislature of Michigan, creating the township of Noble, 
to include fractional township 8 south, in range 8 west of 
the principal meridian. This territory had previously been 
a part of Bronson township, and before being separately 
organized many of its citizens had aided in administering 
the official affairs of Bronson. The naming of the town- 
ship of Noble has been attributed to numerous persons. It 
is said that Darius Wilson proposed the name, also that it 
was suggested by William llippey, who had heard some 
traveler speak of the region as a " noble country." Prob- 
ably, however, the credit is due to James Anderson, now of 
Coldwater, who had previously worked in Noble Co., Ind., 
and suggested the name to Mr. Rippey. 

A " noble country" this town certainly is, with its " oak 
openings," fertile soil, charming landscapes, shining lakelets, 
and numerous water-courses. It lies but a short distance 
northeast of the beautiful Mongoquinong, English, and 
Pretty Prairies, in Indiana. Much of the more open sur- 
face was originally covered with a thick growth of hazel, 
while in places no underbrush whatever obstructed the free 
range of vision for considerable distances. Flowers grew 
iu wonderful profusion, and the description of the oak 
openings generally given by those who saw them in all their 
primitive beauty is such as to create in the imaginative 
mind a view of a miniature paradise. Yet it was not for a 
number of years that people from the East could be in- 
duced to locate in the open lands, they expressing the belief 
that where timber failed to grow it would be useless at- 
tempting to raise crops. 

Although Noble is but a small township, it contains 
many large and excellent farms. Acro.ss the southwest cor- 



ner of the town flows Fawn River, or " Crooked Creek," 
as it is often called. Its shores are somewhat marshy, 
though not to so great an extent as in Indiana. Its course 
is exceedingly tortuous, whence its most common name. 
Several smaller streams water other portions of the town- 
ship, and are fed by a number of small lakes, some of 
which are very beautiful. Among these lakes are Ander- 
son, in the southeast corner of town, covering, according to 
the map, about 20 acres ; 31ud, on section 12, covering 
some 25 acres ; Fish, principally on section 8, having an 
area of about 60 acres ; Long, on section 7, nearly a mile 
in length, and considerably larger than Fish Lake; and 
Honey Lake, a fine body of water, on section 17, covering 
nearly 160 acres. Beside these there are several smaller 
ones, not given names on the map. These lakes, during 
the spring and autumn, are the resort of considerable num- 
bers of wild fowl, though not to such an extent as the 
larger ones farther east and south. 

The improvements throughout the town of Noble are 
generally excellent, although in places the primitive log 
house is seen, or the " deadening" lifts its blasted tree- 
trunks in sad array, as if mourning their fate. The land 
is usually free from large stones, rendering it easy to culti- 
vate. The soil is a sandy loam, with some gravel in places, 
and is well adapted to the growth of wheat and other 
grains, while fruit of most kinds yields abundantly. Clay 
is seen in but few localities. 

The township is inhabited entirely by those devoted to 
the pursuit of agriculture, and has not a village within its 
limits. The nearest railway station is at Bronson, and 
thither, or to Orland, Ind., do the farmers repair to do 
most of their trading. ' 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



825 



LAND ENTKIKS AND SETTLEMENT. 

The first entries of land in tlio township were made 
about 1835, by William Robinson and a Mr. Dusenberry, 
the former locatinv; an eij^hty-ac're lot and the latter a 
quarter-section. 

In the fall of the same year (1H35), Walter W. Smith, 
from Caledonia Co., Vt., came to Michigan, and in Febru- 
ary, 1836, entered the northwest quarter of section 10, 
upon which he now resides. He remained in the State 
until the fall succeeding, staying at Nilcs, Berrien Co., 
and then returning to Vermont. In the spring of 1837 he 
ouce more came to Niles, and for some time lived there and 
in Indiana. He subsequently removed to the State of 
New York, and in 1S42 located permanently on his farm 
in Noble. He was among the first to take up land in this 
township, and although he did not settle until others had 
built their cabins and made tlieir clearings, yet he has been 
familiar with the region from the time it began to be looked 
upon with favor by immigrants. 

The first settlers in Noble came in the year 1836. 
During that spring the families of William Rippey, John 
Grove, and William Butts came to town, — all having en- 
tered land except Mr. Rippey, whose father had taken up 
nine lots. None of these persons are now living in the 
township except the widow of Mr. Grove and her son, 
Francis N. Grove. Mr. Grove settled on the farm where 
his son now resides, and was long one of the prominent 
men of the township. He held numerous offices, and died 
in 1851, aged fifty-one years. 

Darwin Wilson entered land in Noble in 1836, but it 
was not until 1843 that he moved his family upon it. The 
farm he loctitedwas the one now owned by Hon. George P. 
Robinson on section 14. During the time from 1838 to 
1840, Mr. Wil.son was engaged in trade at Bronson village, 
David F. Gates being his only competitor there at that 
time (although others had previously been in business at 
the place). Mr. Wilson kept two teams upon the road, 
peddling goods, salt, etc., and taking produce in exchange, 
as money was exceedingly scarce or of little value in those 
days of " wild cat" and " red dog" banks and disastrous 
speculations. 

Before removing to his farm, Mr. Wilson built a house 
and barn, and sowed twenty acres of wheat. On the 17th 
of November, 1842, snow fell to a considerable depth and 
the weather became very cold and severe. During a few 
days of moderate weather, beginning about Jan. 20, 1843, 
he moved his family to the farm. The wi.sdom of his 
taking advantage of the pleasant days was very soon made 
apparent, for it turned cold again and a very deep snow fell, 
which was not melted until early in April. That season is 
remembered by the old settlers as " the hard winter." 

When he first moved to Noble, Mr. Wilson was informed 
by persons with little faith in the soil that t;niic grasses 
would not grow here ; but he, being loath to aco ;pt such a 
statement without proof, seeded fourteen acres to clover 
the first year he occupied hLs farm. The result was en- 
tirely satisfactory to him. The season was very wet, and 
while Mr. Wilson's neighbors were obliged to cut their hay 
on the marshes and carry it ofiF with poles, he cut about 
fourteen tons of excellent clover. Nolhin;: further was 



heard as to the tame-grass growing properties of Noble soil, 
and a complete revolution in this respect followed Mr. 
Wilson's experiment. 

In 1861, Mr. Wil.son removed to Coldwater and engaged 
in the grocery business, an accident, resulting in a broken 
limb, having rendered him unable to attend to his farm 
duties. He remained in trade seven years. 

On one occasion, in the days of the early settlements, 
while Mr. Wilson was on his way from Tecumseh to Bron- 
son to look for land, he stopped at the tavern of Mr. Taylor, 
five miles west of Coldwater, to get some dinner. Taylor 
said the women were about to go for a visit, but guessed he 
could get him something to eat. Somewhat to tlie surprise 
of Mr. Wilson the bell rang in a very few minutes, and he 
surmised that they must have remarkably smart women or 
very little to eat. Upon sitting down at the table he w;is 
still more greatly surprised at the array of edibles before 
him. The courses consisted of a single pickle, one .slice of 
dry, black bread, a glass of water, and three pieces of cold 
meat, which had the appearance of having been used by 
children to wipe a dusty floor with. The inner man re- 
volted, and he drew back. Just then the landlord, who 
had been feeding Wilson's horse, came in from the barn 
and said, " Why, why, you haven't eaten your dinner yet !" 
" No, sir," replied Wilson, " I never eat such a din- 
ner !" The reader is at liberty to fill the blank with such 
word or words as he chooses to imagine Wilson said. He 
ordered his horse, paid his bill, — which vias Jive shi/fiiiffs, — 
and proceeded on his way, with the intention, undoubtedly, 
. of finding some place more suited to his taste when next 
he felt the pangs of hunger. Mr. Wilson is at present 
living in Coldwater. 

John Grove, before mentioned, married a sister of Wil- 
liam Rippey. Sidney Matthews, who came also in 1836, 
settled in the same neighborhood with Grove, Rippey, and 
Butts. A few located the same year in the western part 
of town, among them Thomas Shane, now deceased. The 
latter is thought to have been the first actual settler in the 
township. 

The Stewarts located about 1836 in the south part, near 
the Indiana line, and John Curtis came in 1837. Peter 
Mallow bought land in 1840 and settled in 1841. Robert 
Burnside and William H. Weaver (latter from Burr Oak, 
St. Joseph Co.) were also early arrivals. 

S. S. Bushnell located in Noble in 1838. He had pur- 
chased his land two or three years previously. He died in 
1873, at the age of seventy-five years. His son, Ephraim 
B. Bushnell, is yet a resident of the township, and was but 
a boy when his father came. Mrs. E. B. Bushnell, whose 
father's name was Bennett, came with him to Adrian, Len- 
awee Co., in 1836. 

Benjamin Depue, who settled in Noble in 1836, died in 
May, 1852. His son, Henry Depue, is living in the town- 
ship. 

When, in 1841, Peter Mallow built his house, he pur- 
chased his lumber at the mill of Adams & Kent, in Bron- 
son township, paying them at the rate of six dollars per 
thousand feet. Some time in 1844, Mr. .^lallow one day 
saw some kind of an animal wade through the marsh back 
of his house and plunge into the lake. Seizing a tainaiack 



326 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



pole which lay near by, Mr. Mallow hurried around to the 
opposite side of the lake to head it off, and found it to be 
a bear. The animal turned bacic on seeing Mallow, and the 
latter .sent his son to Mr. Shane's, requesting him to come 
over and bring his gun. Shane arrived in due time, to- 
gether with a number of other men, and Bruin was soon 
driven into a tree. A shot from the rifle deprived him of 
life, and he fell into a fork in the branches, necessitating 
his removal therefrom by main strength. A man climbed 
the tree and dislodged the carcass, which fell to the ground 
with a heavy thud. 

Mr. Mallow has been prospered to a large degree during 
his residence of nearly forty years in Noble, and has a fine 
farm of 860 acres. 

Isaac Brooks, whose son, I. H. Brooks, is still a resi- 
dent, settled in Noble in 1836, and died in the spring of 
1866. 

D. Blanchard, who located two and one-half miles west 
of Bronson village in 1838-39, at present occupies a ferm 
in Noble township. 

C. R. Smith, who passed through this part of the county 
before it was surveyed, settled in town about 1840-42. 
His father, Joseph Smith, made the first improvements on 
the farm at Hickory Corners, now owned by Calvin H. 
Flanders. The latter has lived upon the place .since March 
4, 1857. 

The log house now standing at Hickory Corners, on the 
south side of the road, was built originally by Ambrose 
Hale, Esq., one of the early settlers of the town, and who 
has been dead many years. In the political matters of the 
township he was long prominent. 

North of the Corners, and east of the road, is now living 
Mrs. Mary Henderson, in the log house which her husband, 
Thomas Henderson, built many years since. He also took 
up the land. Mr. Henderson died in 1846. lie was from 
Rochester, N. Y., and settled first at Tecumseh, Lenawee 
Co., in 1835, removing to Noble in 1836. His widow re- 
sides with their son, Thomas S. Henderson. 

William Robinson, who settled in 1836, lived on an 
eighty-acre lot on section 2, north of the farm of Mr. 
Flanders. 

Two reasons are given for naming the locality known as 
" Hickory Corners." Several hickory-trees stood where 
the two roads cross at the time the first settlers came, and 
of the.se but one is now left. It is also stated that the in- 
habitants of the vicinity were principally Democrats for 
many years, and the hickory-tree is the well-known emblem 
of that party ; from these two circumstances — or either of 
them — the name probably originated. It is in the midst 
of some of the best farming country in the towniship, and 
occasional clusters of trees lend their beauty to the land- 
scape. 

John H. Lane, frova Syracuse, Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
came to Michigan in 1833, and for several years drove 
stage over the Chicago turnpike ; first between Coldwater 
and Jonesville, and afterward for three years between Cold- 
water and Bronson. He also drove into Detroit for a short 
time. The greater portion of the time he spent as a stage- 
driver was on the line between Bronson and Niles. In 
March, 1841, he came to Noble township and bought the 



land where he now lives, and built a house upon it im- 
mediately after, making the first improvements on the 
place. He had previou.sly (1837) entered land in the town 
of Ovid, and for two years lived in the southern part of 
De Kalb Co., III., before moving to his present place of 
residence. His farm lies in the beautiful oak-opening 
region east of Hickory Corners, and is among the best in 
the neighborhood. His son, F. H. Lane, is the clerk of 
the township. 

William Butts, a blacksmith by trade, and one of the 
■ first settlers in Noble, met his death in a shocking manner. 
A boy came into his shop with a rifle, wishing the load 
taken out. The breech was unscrewed and the powder 
poured out, after which the boy took an iron rod, heated 
it red-hot, and endeavored to melt the bullet. Not suc- 
ceeding in his efforts, Mr. Butts took the rod, heated it 
again, and placing it in the barrel, with the outer end 
against his breast, undertook to push out the ball. It 
seems that a little powder had been left, for an explosion 
followed, driving the rod through Mr. Butts' body, killing 
him on the spot. It is seldom that such an affair happens 
in any locality, and the extreme carelessness of such a pro- 
ceeding is apparent to everybody. 

John Croy, the first settler in Gilead township, lived 
afterward in Noble, but finally went West, moving twice 
before unloading his goods. 

William S. Wilier settled in Noble in 1843, and cleared 
up a farm. He held office to some extent while a resident 
of the township, being town clerk six years in succession. 
He is now living in Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co. 

James Miller settled with his parents in Indiana, about 
1830-31, and in 1840 removed to the farm he now occu- 
pies in the west part of Noble. 

David Foster, in the year 1830, came to White Pigeon, 
St. Joseph Co., stopping on his way at Lima, Ind., with a 
man named Fobes, who lived at that place in a log house, 
which is yet standing. After staying at White Pigeon a 
month, Mr. Foster endeavored to persuade his brother to 
go with him to Chicago. In this he failed, and started 
alone. He stopped for the night at a place sixteen miles 
east of La Porte, Ind., and was informed that the future 
"Garden City" was but an embryo settlement, containing 
a fort and 13 houses, built principally of logs, and inhab- 
ited by half-breeds and foreigners. He was dissuaded from 
journeying farther in that direction and returned to White 
Pigeon, and thence east through Branch County. Near 
Hog Creek or Prairie River, he became lost in the forest 
near Adam.s' & Pierce's saw-mill. Finding a man chopping 
he inquired the way out, and was directed to the mill, and 
from there to Bronson, finally coming out of the woods 
safely. In the fall of 1835 he located at Bronson village, 
near the present site of the union school building, and in 
August, 1837, removed to a location in Noble township, 
half a mile east of Hickory Corners. 

James Anderson, now a prominent marble dealer in 
Coldwater, settled in Noble in the fldl of 1842, in the 
southeast corner of the township, where is now a small 
lake bearing his name. Previous to locating here he had 
been employed as teamster in Noble Co., Ind., and to him 
is accredited the honor of naming Noble township. Mr. 





Wy^LTER W.SMITH. 



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FjESi DEN CEJ)F WALTER W. SMITH, Ni 



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fvfRS.WALTEf^ W.SMITH, 





ME Tp., Branch County, Michigan 





E. T. Q-ARDNER 



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f^ESlDtNCE: or THE LATZ E.T.G 




f^RS.E.T.OARDNEf^. 




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. yliil.N'. (NOBLE Tp., 8r-«nch Co Mich. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



327 



Anderson is a native of Scotland, and came to the United 
States in 1833. In his youth he learned the typo's art, 
and when standina; at his case was a very rapid workman. 
Arriving in New York City, he worked for James Gordon 
Bennett, Sr., before he estal)li.-<hed tlie jVew York IlenthI, 
and surprised his fellow-printere by his dexterity, they 
having taken him for a person entirely without a knowledge 
of the business. In 184S he removed to Coldwater and 
engaged in business, and has remained there up to the 
present. Mr. Bennett was himself much surprised when 
he learned of the young man's worth, and was ever after- 
ward his staunch friend. 

Lewis Burgess settled in Monroe County in 1834, and 
afterwards removed to Noble, bringing both his parents and 
grandparents with him. His grandfather died at the ad- 
vanced age of ninety-five years. 

John Curtis, now of Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co., settled in 
Noble about 1844-45, on the place where his son, Samuel 
Curtis, now lives. 

In the northwest piart of the township is what is known 
as the " Dutch Settlement," from the fact that the first 
settlers in the neighborhood were families of Dutch descent 
from the State of Pennsylvania. The first family was that 
of Daniel Hinebaugh (or Himebaugh), who settled in the fall 
of 1S36. The temporary shanty which he erected was the 
first building put up between the turnpike and the Pretty 
Prairie, in Indiana. He is still residing on the farm he 
first entered. The father of Emanuel Hinebaugh was also 
an early arrival. 

During more recent years a number of German families 
have settled in the township, east of the old settlement, and 
their Meunonite society has built a frame church, where 
their religious meetings are held according to their peculiar 
cu.stoms. The society was organized about 1860-65, and 
the church built about 1869. Recently — about 1874 — a 
new society was formed with views of a more liberal nature, 
under the leadership of John Crupp, one of their ministers. 
The church is located on section 2, and the congregation is 
quite large. 

NOBLE POST-OFFICE 

was established about 1854, with William Butts as first post- 
master. In 1857 the oflice was kept by Darwin Wilson, on 
the present George P. Robinson farm. lie was succeeded 
by S. S. Bushnell, and he by E. T. Gardner, following 
whom came John Lane. His successor, and the present 
incumbent, is Henry Teller, who keeps the office in his 
house at Hickory Corners. 

The first school in Noble was probably taught in a log 
school-house which stood a quarter of a mile north of 
Hickory Corners. This was while the township was yet a 
part of Bronson, and the children of the few families 
then living in the neighborhood attended. The name of 
the teacher is forgotten. The site of the school-house has 
been moved to a location a short distance east of the cor- 
ners, where a neat brick building lias been erected. The 
old log structure long ago became a thing of the past. 

School was also taught early in the Hinebaugh neighbor- 
hood, and by some it is thought that was the first in the 
township. 

Alter the tir.-^t town niceting, in the .-pring uf 1845, the 



board of school inspectors met on the 26th of Ajjril at the 
house of Sidney Marble, and granted a teacher's certificate 
to Mi.-is Rhoda Wheeler. On the 3d of May following 
they met to organize the township into school districts, di- 
viding it into five. Certificates were the same day granted 
to Hannah M. Gaines and Loretta Bullock. The schools 
of Noble number five at present, and are all in fl(juri.shing 
condition. 

CIVIL RECORD. 

" At a meeting of the voters of the town of Noble, con- 
vened at the hou,se of John Grove, on Monday, the 7th 
day of April, 1845, for the purpose of organizing a town 
board agreeable to an act of the Legislature of this State, — 

" The meeting was called to order by Ambrose Hale 
nominating E. W. Craig moderator pro tern., who was 
elected. It was then voted that A. Hale, A. Hale (2d), 
William Butts, William llijipey, and Sidney Marble consti- 
tute the town board of election. Voted, that Sidney Mar- 
ble serve as clerk. The board was then sworn by Ichiel 
Driggs, Esq. The polls were opened at ten o'clock a.m." * 

The following were the officers chosen at this meeting, 
viz. : Supervisor, Thomas Shane ; Township Clerk, William 
Rippey ; Justices of the Peace, John Grove, Elijah W. 
Craig, Cyrus Beardsley, Jared Fuller ; Treasurer, Samuel 
S. Bushnell ; School Inspectors, Sidney Marble, William 
Shane ; Commissioners of Highways, I. H. Foust, Samuel 
S. Bushnell, J. H. Smith ; Constables, William Milliman, 
Sidney S. Matthews, John Curtis, James Anderson ; Over- 
.seers of the Poor, Ambrose Hale (2d), S. S. Bushnell ; Path- 
masters, David Foster, Levi M. Curtis, Andrews Watling, 
Walter W. Smith, Moses Strong, I D. Hart; Poundmas- 
ter, William Butts. 

Thomas Shane was unwilling to accept the office of 
supervisor, and therefore neglected to take the required 
oath. Ambrose Hale was appointed in his place, and Ben- 
jamin B. Rood received the appointment of overseer in the 
place of Ambrose Hale (2dj. 

The principal officers of the township of Noble from 
1846 to 1877, inclusive, were the following, viz. : 

SUPERTI,<iORS. 



1846- 


48. Ambrose Hale. 


1 SOO. 


AVilliam Rippey. 


1S49. 


Samuel 8. Buslinell. 


1861. 


Elisha T. Gardner. 


1850- 


52. Darwin Wilson. 


1862- 


64. William Rippey. 


1853. 


S. S. Bushnell. 


1865- 


67. Elisha T. Gardner. 


1854. 


Darwin Wilson. 


1868. 


Sheldon W. Sharp. 


1855. 


Samuel S. Bushnell. 


1869- 


71. Elisha T. Gardner, 


1856- 


■37. William Rippey. 


1872. 


No record. 


1838. 


Jeremiah Shane, 


1873- 


74. George P. Robinson. 


1859. 


Levi Calhoun. 


1875- 


77. Horace P. Jeffrey. 




TOWNSHII 


CLERKS. 


1846-17. Williivra Butts. 


185.S. 


William S. Wilier. 


1848. 


William Rippey. 


1859. 


William Rippey. 


1849- 


50. William Butts. 


1860. 


Horace P. Jeffrey. 


1851. 


Robert F. Kortright. 


1861- 


66. William S. Wilier. 


1852. 


Erastus Crofout. 


1867. 


John Kisler. 


1853. 


D. S. Crofoot. 


1868- 


69. John Snyder. 


1834. 


Willi.am Rippey. 


1870. 


Colbert R. Smith. 


1855. 


Jeremiah Smith. 


1S71 


John Snyder. 


1856. 


Marshall Jlorrill, 


1872. 


No record. 


1857. 


Milton Humphrey. 


1873- 


-77. John Swayne. 



- Tfiwiislii]! records. 



328 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 





JUSTICES OF 


THE PEACE. 


1846. 


Melzar Russell. 


1862. 


William Patten. 


1847. 


Cyrus Beardsley. 


1863. 


Darwin Wilson. 




Willi.am Butts. 




Elisha T. Gardner. 


1848. 


Elijah W. Craig. 




Sheldon W. Sharp. 


1849. 


William Butts. 


1864. 


Jacob Trayer. 


1850. 


William Rippey. 




Sheldon W. Sharp. 


1851. 


Joseph 11. Suiith. 


1865. 


M. S. Bowdish. 


1852. 


Nathaniel Sanboru. 




Horace P. Jeffrey. 


1853. 


William Butts. 


1S66. 


Elisha T. Gardner. 




M. S. Bowilish. 




A. Boyier. 


1854. 


John Fuller. 


1867. 


John Fuller. 




S. S. Matthews. 


1868. 


Jacob Trayer. 


1855. 


John MeClung. 




Edgar Ward. 


1856. 


William Patten. 


1869. 


M. S. Bowdish. 




Jeremiah Smith. 




Jacob Trayer. 




Sheldon W. Sharp. 




John Keller. 




Milton Humphrey. 


1870. 


Jauies I. Walker. 


1857. 


John Fry. 


1871. 


Sheldon W. Sharp. 




N. S. Filkins. 


1872. 


No record. 


1858. 


Elisha T. Gardner. 


1873. 


Miles Whipple. 




W, alter W. Smith. 




Jacob Lilly. 




M. S. Bowdish. 


1874. 


H. Bogardus. 


1859. 


John McClung. 




Seth Milliman. 


1860. 


Jacob -Trayer. 


1875. 


Jacob C. Lilly. 


1861. 


M.S. Bowdish. 


1876. 


Jacob Trayer. 




George Houts. 


1877. 


John Fuller. 


1862. 


Elisha T. Gardner. 

TREAS 


[JRERS. 




1846. 


Samuel S. Bushnell. 


1860. 


Chester E. Porter. 


1847- 


49. Darid Foster. 


1861- 


62. William Patten. 


1850. 


James Sweeting. 


1863- 


64. Culbert R. Smith. 


1851. 


Sidney S. Matthews. 


1865. 


Andrew Boyier. 


1852. 


Samuel S. Bushnell. 


1866- 


67. John Swain. 


1853- 


55. Levi Calhoun. 


1868. 


David Blanchard. 


1856. 


No record. 


1869- 


71. John Fuller. 


1857. 


Levi Calhoun. 


1872. 


No record. 


1858. 


William Rippey. 


1873. 


Corydon Sharp. 


1859. 


Culbert R. Smith. 


1874-77. Thomas ,T. Link. 




COMMISSIONERS 


OP HIGHWAYS. 


1846. 


William P. Patterson. 


1861. 


Jacob Trayer. 




William Shane. 




John Laue. 




John Curtis. 


1862. 


John Lane. 


1847. 


Marvin Babcock. 


1863. 


David Link. 




John Grove. 


1864. 


Andrew Boyier. 




Elijah W. Craig. 


1865. 


Uriah Ruthroff. 


1848. 


C. Palmiter. 


1866. 


Jacob Trayer. 


1849. 


Joseph H. Smith. 


1867. 


David Blanchard. 


1850. 


Egbert Gaines. 




John Swain. 


1851. 


Peter Mallow. 


1868. 


John Swain. 


1852. 


Joseph H. Smith. 




Jacob Lilly. 




Nathaniel Filkins. 


1869. 


Edgar A. Ward. 


1853 


John Fuller. 


1870. 


David Blanchard. 


1854 


Jacob Trayer. 


1871. 


Corydon Sharp. 


1855 


George C. Worden. 


1872. 


No record. 


1856 


John Fuller. 


1873 


Edward Cummins. 


1857 


Jacob Trayer. 


1874 


David Link. 




Culbert R. Smith. 




Byron Calhoun. 


1858 


Jeremiah Smith. 


1875 


David Link. 


1859 


C. W. Flanders. 


1876- 


-77. David Link. 


1860 


David Link. 








SCHOOL It 


fSPECTORS. 


1846 


Charles Wheeler. 


1853 


William Anderson. 


1847 


Walton 0. Richards. 




0. F. Parker. 


1848 


William Milliman. 


1854 


James H. Rippey. 




Walter W. Smith. 


1855 


Horace P. Jaffrey. 




Daniel Foust. 


1856 


Jeremiah Shane. 


1849 


James H. Rippey. 


1857 


Henry Bogardus. 


1850 


Diivid Smith. 




Ephraim H. Bushnell. 


1851 


James H. Rippey. 


1858 


Ephraira Shane. 


1S52 


William Rippey. 


1859 


Henry Bogardus. 




Duet. Clark. 




Horace P. Jeffrey. 



1860. 
1861. 

1862. 
1863. 
1864. 

1865. 
1866. 

1867. 



Ephraim Shane. 
Horace P. Jeffrey. 
John Lane. 
Albert N. Bowdish. 
Horace P. Jeffrey. 
John Snyder. 
Homer Shane. 
Lowell C. Ransom. 
E. 0. Lemmon. 
A. L. Stevens. 
Corydon Sh.arp. 
Henry Bogardus. 



1868. 

1869. 
1870. 

1871. 

1872. 
1873. 
1874. 
1875. 
1876- 



Corydon Sharp. 
John Fuller. 
August Boehmer. 
Horace P. Jeflrey. 
John Kisler. 
Corydon Sharp. 
Culbert R. Smith. 
No record. 
Culbert R. Smith. 
Byron Calhoun. 
John Snyder. 
77. John Snyder. 



TOWNSHIP SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. 

1875-76. William S. Miller. I 1877. William McMillan. 



OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. 



1.846. E. W. Craig. 
A. Hale. 

1847. Marvin Babcock. 
E. W. Craig. 

1848. Marvin Babcock. 



1849. Egbert Gaines. 
Thomas Shane. 

1850. Jeremiah Bogardus. 
Benjamin B. Rood. 



DRAIN COMMISSIONERS. 



1873. Ep"hraim B. Bushnell. 

1874. No record. 

1875. Emanuel Himebaugh. 



1876. Ephraim B. Bushnell. 

1877. No record. 



The following officers were elected in 1878 : Supervisor, 
Horace P. Jeffrey; Township Clerk, Frank H. Lane; Jus- 
tices of the Peace, Edgar A. Ward, William H. Teller ; 
Treasurer, John Snjder ; Commissioner of Highways, Wil- 
liam Mallow ; Township Superintendent of Schools, John 
T. Stryker ; School Iu.spector, Merritt Calhoun ; Drain 
Commissioner, David Link ; Constables, Ira Cleveland, 
Roman L. Whipple, William Mallow, David Burdett. 

Among those in Noble township who have ftirnished in- 
formation which i.s embodied in this article are Walter W. 
Smith, Jolin Lane and son, Calvin H. Flanders, and others. 
Numerous minutes have been made also from the recent 
articles in the Goldwater Republican. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



GEORGE P. ROBINSON, 

the subject of this sketch, was born in Franklin Co., Vt., 
June 7, 1827. Here, among the Green Mountains, he 
grew to manhood, following the business of a carpenter and 
joiner. In 1864 he moved to Noble township and pur- 
chased the fine farm now owned by him. Mr. Robinson's 
upright course and business qualities .soon won for him the 
esteem and respect of his fellow-townsmen, and in 1873 he 
was elected supervisor of his township, which office he held 
two terms. In 1874 he was elected by the Republican 
party (to which he has always belonged) to represent his 
district in the State Legislature, filling the office one term. 
He then moved to La Grange, Ind., and engaged in banking, 
he being one of the directors of the Fii'st National Bank 
of that place. He also oversees his farm in Noble. On 
the 9tli of June, 1859, he was married to Miss Marietta 
C. Spaulding, of Lima, Ind. 



om?.isTiisrji. oiaL^-SE. 



Among tlie exirly settlers 
in tlie west part of the town 
of Noble was Mrs. Christina 
Chase and her son Chauncey. 
Mrs. Chase's liiisl)an(l, Ariel 
Chase, was l)(>rn in Vermont, 
Jan. 18, 1789, wliere he grew 
to manhood, following the 
business of a carriage-maker. 
They were married Jan. :10, 
182.3. Mrs. Chase was horn 
in Durham, Cumberland C'o., 
Maine. After tiieir marriage 
they moved to Clarkson, Mon- 
roe Co., N. Y., where Mr. 
Cha.se engaged in business. 
He died July 12, 1830. There 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Chase two sons, Russell W., 




MBS. CHRISTINA CHASE. 



June 16, 1826, and Chaun- 
cey, Sept. 19, 1828. After 
her husband's death, Mrs, 
Chase remained in Clark- 
son two years, and moved 
to Parma, Monroe County, 
where she educated her sons. 
The eldest, Russell W., adopt- 
ed railroading as a business, 
holding the positions of mail 
agent, express agent, and 
traveling agent of different 
railroads in Vermont, and fill- 
ing these places with such 
marked ability that, upon the 
completion of the Northern 
Pacific Railroad, he was asked 
by its president to accept the 
position of general freight 




CHAUXCEY CHASE. 

agent. This office lie filled two years with great 
credit. He then retired from the road, making his 
home in Minneapolis, Minn., where he died March 
27, 1877. In 1846, Mrs. Chase and her son Chami- 
cey came to Michigan, and bought the west half 
of the northeast (piarter of section eight in Noble, 
which was then new and unimproved, without any 




RUSSELT. W. CHASE. 



road to it; but under their good management it 
was soon cleared, and has ever since been their 
iionie. Mrs. Chase earned with her needle a part 
of the money to improve the farm. She is now 
seventy-four years of age, is hale and hearty, and 
is spoken of by her neighbors as a kind neighbor, 
a true friend, and a lady of marked ability. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



329 



HORACE P. JEFFREY. 

Gurdon Jeffrey was born in New London, Conn., where 
he resided until he was of" ai;e. Ho married for his first 
wife Miss Esther Butts. This union was blessed with six 
children, Horace P., the subject of this sketch, being the 
fifth. Mrs. Jeffrey died in 1882. Mr. Jeffrey married 
for his second wife Miss Happy Smith, to whom there was 
born one child. Soon afler his first marriage he moved to 
Oswego Co., N. Y., where he engaged in farming. From 
Oswego County he moved to .Monroe Co., N. Y. Horace 
P. Jeffrey was born in New Lisbon, Oswego Co., N. Y., 
June 24, 1827. In Lisbon and in Monroe Co., N. Y., he 
lived till he was twenty-seven years old, working on a farm. 
His opportunities for acquiring an education were limited 
mostly to common schools. Still he obtained sufficient to 
fit him for the active business life he has since followed. 
On the 27th day of September, 1853, he was joined in 
wedlock to Miss Mariette Clark, who died the next April. 
After his wife's death Mr. Jeffrey remained single four 
years, when he was again married, Jan. 27, 1858, his 
choice being Miss Laura A. Coulter. Mi.ss Coulter was 
born Dec. 26, 1836, and was the daughter of John and Mi- 
randa ( Rawson) Coulter. There have been born to them 
six children, as follows; John M., Nov. 8, 1858; Elda J., 
Sept. 2, 1861 ; Sarah E., Dec. 10, 1863; Mary 0., Dec. 
14, 1865; Samuel G., Nov. 10, 1867; and Esther L., 
Feb. 12, 1869. Mr. Jeffrey got his start in life by work- 
ing his father's farm. In 1854 he was seized with the 
Western fever and came to Michigan. Being pleased with 
the country, he purchased the southeast quarter of section 
5, in Noble township. It was then almost entirely new, 
but is now under good improvement, with handsome build- 
ings, etc., all the work of Mr. Jeffrey. To this fine farm 
he has added until he now owns two hundred and thirty 
acres. Mr. Jeffrey has always been a member of the Demo- 
cratic party, and has been several times its standard-bearer 
in town elections, having held the oflBce of school inspector 
and for four years that of supervisor, filling the oflSee with 
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his fellow- 
townsmen. 



WALTER W. SMITH, 

the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Hard- 
wick, Caledonia Co., Vt. He is descended, on his mother's 
side, from an old family in Holland named Webber. An 
immense fortune was left by a member of this family, which 
should have been ere this obtained by the American heirs. 
Edward C. Smith, the father of Walter W., was born in 
New Hampshire, where he lived till after his marriage to 
Miss Susannah Webber, Nov. 1, 1800. lie then moved 
to Vermont. To them were born thirteen children, the 
sixth of whom was Walter W. Smith, who resided in Ver- 
mont till he was twenty-five years of age, when he came 
West, stopping in New York. 

In April, 1837, he was married to Miss Frances Ann 
Shannon, who died Aug. 20, 1838. On the 3d day of 
March, 1841, Mr. Smith was again married, taking for his 
wife Mis.s Sally Warren, daiighti-r oC Ktliaii and Eunice 
(^Owcnj Warren. She was born in Hampton township, 
42 



Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 26, 1813. There have been 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith five children, as follows: 
George W., Dec. 2, 1841 ; Edward, Dec. 25, 1843; Emily 
F., June 24, 1846 ; Walter S., Sept. 18, 1849, died Nov. 
7, 1849 ; and Marshall F., Sept. 26, 1853. In 1836, Mr. 
Smith came to Michigan, and after tramping over a good 
deal of the southern portion of the State, looking for land, he 
finally selected the northwest (juarter of section 10 in Noble 
township, which he bought of the government. For this 
land he paid two hundred dollars, part of which he bor- 
rowed. After making his purchase he went to Niles, Mich., 
where he worked several months, and then returned to Ver- 
mont, but stayed only till spring, when he again came West, 
and found employment in Niles and Goshen, Ind. Here 
two years were passed, when he was taken sick and again 
returned to Vermont, trying liard to .sell his land ; but, for- 
tunately for him, he could not find a purchaser, and in 1842 
he moved with his family on to his farm in Noble, where he 
has since resided. At that time his land was all new, not 
a stick having been cut; but his untiring energy .soon made 
the wilderness blossom as a rose, and he has now, in the 
evening of his life, an improved farm of over two hundred 
acres, one of the finest in the town, with many commodious 
buildings, all the work of his own hands. Mr. Smith has 
always been an ardent Republican since the formation of 
that party, believing it to be the exponent of good govern- 
ment and liberal ideas. He is and long has been a member 
of the Methodist Church. 

George W., Mr. Smith's eldest son, enlisted in Capt. Ab- 
bott's company of three-months' men, and served in the 
first regiment which left the State, and was discharged at 
the expiration of his term of enlistment. On the 12th day 
of January, 1865, he was mustered as lieutenant in Co. K, 
123d New York Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the 
battles of the Wilderness. He was mustered out June 8, 
1865. After the war he went to Texas, and engaged in 
the mercantile business. His energy and good business 
qualities soon gave him prominence in the Republican party, 
and he was elected a delegate to the State con.stitutional 
convention. He was afterwards nominated by his party for 
a prominent office, but was murdered by bulldozers before 
the election, his body being riddled with eighteen bullets. 
Thus died a noble young man, — one who was destined to 
make his mark in the world. 



SAMUEL S. AND EPIIKAIM B. BUSHNELL. 

Among the early settlers of Noble township, there are 
none deserving of more credit, or none who have done 
more to advance the best interests of his town, than Samuel 
S. Bushnell. He was born July 21, 1799, in Vermont, 
There he grew to manhood, working on a farm. He mar- 
ried Miss Lury Butts, who w;is born in Windham, Conn. 
Their union w;is bles-sed with six children. In 1836, Mr. 
Bushnell came to Michigan and bought of the government 
one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 11, in 
Noble township, and .settled upon it in 1838. He had 
nothing to commence with but energy and an indomitable 
will, but with the help of these qualities he .soon made for 



330 



H18T0KY OP BRANCH COUNTY, iMICHIGAN. 



liiuiself a fine home in the wilderness. In politics, Mr. 
Bushnell was in an early day a Democrat, and by that party 
was elected town treasurer. At the formation of the Re- 
publican party he joined its ranks, and became one of its 
prominent members. He was for many years supervisor, 
many times represented his township in the conventions of 
his party, and became widely known throughout the county. 
He died July 21, 1872, in the seventy-fourth year of his 
age, highly respected and esteemed by the citizens of the 
township and county. 

Kphraim B. Bushnell, the second child of Samuel S. 
Bushnell, was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Oct. 12, 1825. 
He came to Noble township with his father in 1838, where 
he has ever since resided. He has grown up with the 
township, and has seen it change from an almost unbroken 
wilderness into pleasant homes and fine farms, and he has 
done his share in bringing about these happy results. On 
the 13th day of April, 18-18, he was married to Adaline 
Hale, daughter of Ambrose and Elizabeth (Larcum ) Hale. 
Their union was blessed with four children : William B., 
born Feb. 21, 1849; Lury Ellen, born July 21, 1852; 
Ella Maria, born Jan. 11, 1858; and May Ardell, born 
July 30, 1860. Mrs. Bushnell died Sept. 30, 1861. Mr. 
Bushnell was married on the 6th day of November, 1862, 
to Esther A., daughter of Jacob and Leah (Conklin) Ben- 
nett, who was born Oct. 19, 1825. There have been born 
to them three children, as follows: Ambrose, Dec. 14, 1863; 
Jessie, July 17, 1866 ; and Grant, July 23, 1868. Soon 
after his first marriage, Mr. Bushnell commenced life for 
himself, working a farm on shares, by which means he got 
his start in life. He afterwards bought a farm with his 
father, with whom he remained in partnership until 1867, 
when he became full owner of the fine farm on which he 
now resides. In politics he is an ardent Republican, and 
has been many times the standard-bearer of his party in 
the township, but it being largely in the minority, he has 
never been elected. 



ELISHA T. GARDNER. 

Elisha T. Gardner, the subject of this sketch, was born 
in the township of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., Nov. 7, 
1814. While Elisha was yet a boy his father moved to 
Sandusky Co., 0., where he resided till he reached man- 
hood. 

Mr. Gardner's chances for acquiring an education were 
limited ; still he made the most of his opportunities, and 
fitted himself to do any ordinary business. His occupa- 
tion was that of a fiirmer, and he always proved a suc- 
cessful one. On the 13th day of August, 1840, he was 
married to Miss Catherine Alexander, who was born in 
Flint, Ontario Co., N. Y., Nov. 19, 1824. At the time of 
his marriage he owned a farm in Ohio, which he sold in 
1847. 

In 1850 he went to California, taking the overland route. 
He remained in the land of gold two years, engaged in 
mining, at which he was quite successful. From Califor- 
nia he returned to Ohio, but soon after emigrated to Michi- 
gan, arriving in 1854. 

He bought the farm he owned at the time of his death, 
being part of sections 12 and 13 in Noble township. 
The farm at the time he purchased it was nearly new, 
but his ii dustry and good management soon made it one 
of the fine places of the township, with good buildings, 
fences, etc. 

In politics, Mr. Gardner was always a Democrat. He 
was elected, while in Ohio, one of the county commissioners, 
which place he held three years. Soon after his settlement 
in Noble his abilities were recognized by his party friends, 
and he was elected supervisor, which office he filled to the 
satisfaction of his constituents, holding the office seven 
years. He was also, for many years, a justice of the peace. 
Mr. Gardner was a man of sterling qualities, and of good 
business abilities. He died June 7, 1878, mourned by a 
large circle of friends. 



SHEEWOOD. 



The township of Sherwood occupies the northwest cor- 
ner of Branch County, and includes township number 5 
south, in range 8 west of the principal meridian, as laid 
down on the government maps. It was surveyed in 1826, 
by John Mullett, and the islands in the St. Joseph River 
were surveyed in 1845, by Noah Brookfield. 

John Mullett was long in the employ of the government, 
and surveyed many townships in the Western States. Dur- 
ing the memorable Black Hawk war he was engaged with 
his party in Northern Illinois, and they were all frightened 
from their work by reported incursions of the savages. 
Although irrelevant to the history of Sherwood, the fol- 
lowing extract will prove interesting, as illustrating the 



fright which many, even in Michigan, experienced during 
the troublous times of 1832. It is from the pen of Edwin 
Jerome, who was one of MuUett's party in Illinois. They 
reached Chicago early in October, 1831, and in twenty- 
eight days reached Galena. 

" Our survey commenced and was prosecuted two days ; 
then an extreme cold night froze the prairie too deep for 
raising the requisite mound for a landmark, and the survey 
was abandoned, to be renewed April 1, 1832. 

" The Hon. Lucius Lyon was prosecuting a job of sur- 
veying from the Illinois State line northward, and adjoining 
the fourth principal meridian. Our work was founded on 
his, running east to the Indian boundary-line at Sugar 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



331 



River. At each tier of towiisliijis Mr. Lyon left a letter 
on the northeast corner-post of the town, telling u.s of the 
progress of his work and tlie progre.fs of the Indian war. 
The day after the memorable Stillinan battle with Black 
Hawk we were crossing the Blue Mmind.s with a tiiwn line 
leading us near the residence of Mr. Brigham, meeting here 
an Indian half-chief who had just arrived from the Meno- 
minee camp with the details of the battle, stating the slain 
to be three Indians and eleven whites. The long shaking j 
of hands and the extreme cordiality of the Indian alarmed | 
JIullett for our safety, but lie locked the fact in his own 
bosom and went nearly five miles east with our line and 
camped. The next morning we went two and a half miles 
south and brought up an unfinished line, and formed and 
built a mound for a town corner. 

" On the completion of this mound, MuUett gave the 
first hint of his fears by raising himself to full height, say- 
ing, ' Boys, I'm going in ; I'll not risk my scalp for a few 
paltry shillings !' This laconic speech was a frightful elec- 
tric spark to the whole company. My own sensation was 
as if every hair of my head instantly became a porcupine 
quill, raising my hat in air, my.sclf from the ground — my 
head sore as a boil. 

" The Indian trail from Galena to Fort Winnebago passed 
here, which Mullett instantly struck into on a dog-trot, fol- 
lowed by his frightened men, seeing a foe in every imaginary 
sound or rustle of prairie grass, bounding involuntarily to 
right or left to avoid the ru.shing legions of Indians. Five 
miles brought us back to Brigham's The peaceful hamlet 
of the day before was all bustle, with a large number of 
families gathered from the surrounding country, and a large 
log fort was fast approaching completion. 

" A short distance farther on we met Governor Dodge, 
with fifty mounted horsemen, going to the Menominee 
camp to have a talk, where the city of Madison now stands. 
Arriving at Willow Springs, we found the neighborhood 
congregated for self-defense ; regular guards were set for 
the night, who attested their vigilance two or three times 
during the night by seeing large bands of Indians ap- 
proaching, firing into their midst, rushing into the stock- 
ade, and demanding a forlorn hope to go out and investigate 
the case. The next day we arrived at Oak Springs, and 
found the neighborhood stockading the fort with pickets 
twelve feet high, split from trees, and set in a trench, 
making a formidable defense. The guards were set, the 
fires extinguished in the stockade, and every man, woman, 
and child camped down as best they might; and just as all 
liad become hushed as the house of death the loud report 
of a gun from one of the sentinels sounded the alarm, and 
the fort instantaneously became a bedlam. Impromptu 
officers hauled us about, jammed us against the pickets, 
bidding us stand there while they .sought the stock of 
arms, knocked open the barrel of cartridges and distributed 
them. In the darkness and fright I cannot say li.iw many 
cartridges found the inside of our muskets, but all was pro- 
nounced in perfect defensive order. The faithful guard 
was brought into council, and testified that sixty Indians 
came over the fence a few rods from the fort, the butts of 
their guns rattling on the top rail. A volunteer forlorn 
hope was ol)tained to investigate the situation. They 



found the unyoked oxen u.-<ed for hauling picketing had 
jumped over, and were feeding in the corner of the fence, 
All became quiet, but soon another sentinel came rushing 
in ; he was crawling along a fence, watching for Indians, 
and another was doing the same thing from an opposite 
direction, and on spying him had, as a faithful guardian, 
snapped his piece at him, and he escaped death only by the 
missing of a firelock. 

" Next day we arrived at Galena, and found part of the 
town picketed. A guard was set as, usual, and at about 
eleven o'clock came the crack of a gun, and a sentinel 
rushed in at the gate. lie had been watching in the 
bushes at the brow of the hill overhanging the north side 
of the town ; a cautious crawling and crackling of bushes 
approached him ; he leveled his piece, and watched for some 
time the approach of the Indian, till he at length sighted 
him on all-fours, took deliberate aim, fired, and all became 
silent. A forlorn hope, piloted to the spot by our faithful 
guard, found his unerring aim had planted a ball in the 
brain of a two-hundred-pound porker. 

" The Galena Rangers, a company of 80 horsemen, thor- 
oughly equipped by the government, were dispatched to 
Atkinson Camp, at Rock River ferry. On arriving, near 
nightfall, at BuflFalo Grove, twelve miles from Rock River, 
it was deemed unsafe to pass through before morning ; 
therefore they encamped on the open prairie about two 
miles from timber. Near midnight one of the guard fired, 
and reported a large band of Indians just crossed near the 
camp. Notwithstanding the earnest protestations of the 
next sentinel that they passed by him and consisted 
of three deer, this valiant band by one o'clock were in 
their saddles in full retreat for Galena, riding the entire 
distance, — near 80 miles, — and arriving at four o'clock in 
the afternoon, roguishly reporting that Black Hawk was 
coming in rear with 5000 Indians, and would spare none. 
In five minutes the intense fright of the country was mani- 
fested in the screeching and screaming of women and chil- 
dren from one extremity of the town to the other. One 
man, catching the report, ran home ten miles into the 
country, and hurried his family and a neighbor's down a 
lead-mine shaft, thirty feet deep, having a good side-drift. 
After two days' incarceration, hearing no noise out.side, he 
ventured his head to the top, and seeing a man traveling, 
learned from him that the stovy was a canard. 

" The friendly Blue Mound, Menominee half-chief, true 
to the instincts of his nature, sent nine of his tribe to 
slaughter us; they killed two men traveling near our last 
landmark. Here lived Pliileo, a mail contractor, whom 
the public journals of our county dubbed the scalping 
editor, owing to an article published in his 7 by 9 paper, 
giving an account of a hand-to-hand fight of eleven white 
men against eleven Indians, in which ho boasted of having 
scalped two Indians. The nightly alarms and astounding 
hairbreadth escapes continued during our twenty days' stay 
in Galena." 

Many incidents as ludicrous perhaps as the foregoing 
occurred in Michigan, even though farther removed from 
the " seat of war." People yet living in this region speak 
of numerous frights which they experienced during the 
same time, when fears that the dusky warriors of Black 



332 



HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Hawk would penetrate to their defenseless settlements, and 
ply the tomahawk and fire-brand in merciless fury, possessed 
many hearts. Luckily for them, however, the issue was 
decided in time to prevent such proceedings, and the family 
of the pioneer once again rested in peace, while the roof 
above remained intact. 

TOPOGRAPHY, SOIL, ETC. 

Nearly through the centre of Sherwood township flows 
the St. Joseph River, which, although it has a rapid current, 
winds along in the midst of a swampy valley, filled with a 
heavy growth of black ash and other trees peculiar to such 
a soil. In places this valley narrows, aud everywhere its 
confines are high, bold banks, showing that the stream 
once occupied its entire breadth. Away from the vicinity 
of the river the soil is usually sandy. Several smaller 
streams flow into the St. Joseph, some of them being the 
outlets of large ponds. Across the extreme northwest 
corner of the township flows the Nottawa River ( Nottawa- 
sepee in the Indian tongue). Its characteristics are much the 
same as those of the St. Joseph. The latter stream becomes 
in its course a broad, magnificent river, and was one of the 
great highways of the prehistoric people, as well as the 
early French explorers and the numerous tradei's and trap- 
pers who traversed this region ere it was permanently settled 
by the white race. And after the latter event it was used 
as a channel in which to transport household goods, mer- 
chandise, machinery, etc., which had been sent " around the 
lakes" to its mouth. Flat-boats were principally used for 
such purposes. The St. Joseph, whose very name recalls 
to mind the efl^orts of the missionaries who gave it this 
appellation and established a mission at its mouth, is replete 
along its entire course with most interesting history; not 
only that which has been made since the pioneer built his 
log cabin and commenced his clearing, but that of other 
days, still more remote, when warlike nations contended for 
the mastery of the region with all their savage skill, or 
when the devoted bands of men from foreign shores sought 
to establish claims for their respective governments, and 
build a powerful empire in this beautiful " land of lakes," — 
all of which were destined to be frustrated, and the insti- 
tutions of a noble republic to rise in their stead. The 
development of the country since its first permanent settle- 
ment has been wonderfully rapid, and the person who can 
recall its appearance forty or fifty years ago, and contrast it 
with the present, can truly be amazed at the changes, even 
though he has witnessed them all. 

The township of Sherwood was organized in the year 
1836, by act of the Legislature, and included also the pres- 
ent township of Union, which was separately orgaaized the 
succeeding year (1837). Sherwood was named at the in- 
stance of its first settler, Alexander E. Tomlinson, from 
Sherwood Forest, in England. When it is remembered 
that less than half a century has passed since this township 
was .settled, the following figures from the State census of 
1874 will be significant. The township, like all its neigh- 
bors, has had a remarkable growth. 



POPULATION AND OTHER STATISTICS. 



Total population in 1874 (575 males, 498 females) 
No. of acres of taxable land 



1,073 
22,122 



No. of acres of laiul owned by individuals and 

companies 22,215 

'* *' improved land 10.887 

" " land exempt from taxation 93 

Value of latter, including improvements ."^lO.lOO 

No. of acres in school-house sites 7 

" " church and parsonage sites 1,50 

*' " Iturying-grounds 3.50 

" " railroad right of way and depot 

grounds 78 

Acres of property used or intended for other 

public ])urpose8 3 

No. of farms in township 183 

" acres in farms 20,299 

.\verage number of acres in farms 110.92 

No, of acres of wheat raised in 1874 3,423 

1873 3,364 

corn " " 1,885 

" bushels of wheat " " 37,059 

" " corn " " 58,467 

" all other grain raised in 1873.. 9.244 

'■ " potatoes '* " ., 5,559 

'• " tons of hay cut in 187:; 1,4411 

" piounds of wool sheared in 1873 18,088 

" " pork marketed *' 144,574 

" " butter made " 47,996 

" " fruit dried for market in 1873,, 24,739 

■' barrels of cider made in 1873 590 

'* " uuiple-sugar made in 1874 l,30tl 

" acres in orchards 393 

•* bushels of apples raised in 1872 15,625 

" " " 1873 15,625 

" " plums " IS72 3 

'* " cherries " '* 14 

" " melons and garden vegetables 

rai.sed in 1872 :;,(IIIO 

" '' melons and garden vegetables 

raised in 1873 2,000 

Total value of fruit .and garden vegetables, 1872. $3,822 

1873. $3,822 
No. of horses, one year old and over, owned in 

1874 541 

" mules owned in 1874 2 

" work oxen " 8 

" milch cows " 516 

" neat cattle, one year old and over, other 

than oxen and cows 687 

" swine over six months old 1,403 

" sheep *' '' " 4,534 

•' " sheared in 1873 3,618 

*' saw-mills (including one lumber and 

shingle- mill) 4 

*' persons employed in same 8 

Amount of capital invested $4,900 

Feet of lumber sawed 430,000 

Value of products $2,210 

No, of planing-mills 1 

•' persons employed in same 2 

Capital invested $2,000 

Value of products $800 

SETTLEMENT. 

In the northern part of Sherwood and the southern 
part of the adjoining township of Athens, Calhoun Co., was 
what was known as the " Dry Prairie Settlement," from the 
prairie upon which it was located. The portion in Athens 
received the first arrivals, and quite a cluster of farms 
had been improved ere little of the .surrounding land was 
entered, or the cabins of other pioneers erected. Conse- 
quently " Dry Prairie" was familiar to those who settled 
later, and after the name of Athens was adopted the loca- 
tion of that particular township was for some time unknown 
to many living in adjoining townships, who had grown most 
familiar with the name " Dry Prairie," and as such knew it. 

The following persons, with their families, were living on 
the portion of the prairie embraced in Athens in 1832, 
viz. : Warren Nichols, Hiram Doubleday, Benjamin T. 
Ferris, Alfred Holcomb, Isaac Crossett, Lot Whitcomb, 
and Ambrose Nichols. In the month of July, 1832, the 
cholera made its appearance in the settlement, aud numer- 
ous families were caused to mourn the loss of loved ones. 
Warren Nichols, his wife, and three children, and Lsaac 
Crossett were buried within six days. 



a^i^m^l't-^^S^W^'^^-^^''^^^'-^' 





rf?OM THl 



Oscar Cline. 






'{^^md^^4M§MMM'^-t 'i- f^ 




Residence: OF OSCAR. GUI 




cHHth West 




f^RS.OSCAR Cline 




HISTORY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



333 



TIic naiiu; uf .Sherwood Forest, in I'liiiilaml, is latiiiliiir In 
all. Thore, in the " days of Auld Lanf: Syno," Hohiii 
Hood and his " nierrie men" liold hijjh carnival ; bold 
" Little Jolin'' and " Friar Tuck" won each a pap;o in his- 
tory, and liiuso kni^iits of tlu' how and r|uivor atdiieved 
wondrous deeds beneath the sliadts of the t'riondly trees. 
There stands Newstead Abbey, the birthplace of the poet 
wiiose lines have thrilleil the jiations of the world, — the 
immortal Uyroii, — lie who espoused the Greek eau.se, and 
finally laid down his life in their territory. In Sherwood 
Forest, however, are his rcinain.s restini;, far from the land 
where he witnessed .scenes of strife and carna^re. But little 
of the original forest now remains, although the name still 
clings tenaciously to the region so historic and so dear to 
the heart of every Briton. 

The first white man who made a permanent settlement 
in Sherwood township was Alexander E. Tomliuson, who 
on the 14th of March, 18ii2, left his home in "Sherwood 
Forest" and set i'orth for the United States. He is a native 
of Nottingham, in the shire of the same name, and arrived 
at the Dry Prairie .settlement in the month of July of the 
same year he left Kngland (18:'.:ii. When, in 1836, the 
organization of a new township was discussed the name of 
Sherwood was proposed by Mr. 'roinlinsdn, in remembrance 
of the home of his earlier years. Wiien, the same summer 
Mr. Tomlinson settled, the cholera made such terrible in- 
roads in the Dry Prairie settlement, he was building a log 
house, the first one in the township. Lot Whitcomb sold 
his place in Athens and removed to Sherwood, and built a 
house about the same time Mr. Tomlinson erected his. 

The following persons located in Sherwood in 1833, viz. : 
Joseph D. Lane, Clement Ru.ssell. Robert Waldron, — the 
latter liad been out previously auJ purchased his land, dug 
up a small spot, sowed some apple-secd in it, and inclosed 
it with a pen four rails square. The trees which sprang 
from these seed are now growing on his old place, and are 
believed by Mr. Tomliuson to have been the first grown in 
Branch County. After arranging his pen, Mr. Waldron 
returned to New York State for his faiuily, and the follow- 
ing season came back with them, driving the entire distance 
in a cart drawn by a yoke of oxen. 

In 1834, Joseph Russell and William Minor arrived in 
town, and in 1835 the number of the settlers was increa,sed 
by the arrival of Thomas West, Sr., and family, and Ben- 
jamin Blossom and family. John Giltner and family, 
Thomas Lee, John and Nahum Sargent, David Keyes, 
David 11. Cooley, Sr., and Ira Palmer came in 1836-37, 
and after this the immigration was very rapid, so that in 
1839 and 1840 the township had become well filled. 

F. R. Johnson has lived upon his present farm .since 1840. 

F. C. Wat kins first came to the State in 1832, and 
located in Calhoun County, following from Jackson a trail 
made by a Mr. Doubleday, who came through with a wagon 
some two months before. The track left by the wagon 
enabled Mr. Watkins to keep the trail. In 1835 the latter 
removed to Branch County, and is now residing on a fine 
farm in the northeast part of Sherwood, where for eighteen 
years he kept what was known as the " log tavern." 

John Stanton settled in 1835 and died in 1852. and 
Benjamin Shaw came in 1840. 



'I'linnias Lee located in Sherwnud in 1836, with his 
family, on the fiirni where his son, Horace 0. Lee, now 
resides. The elder Lee died in 1851. On this farm have 
been exhumed the bones of two Indian children, one ap- 
parently about ten years cjf age and the other older. Those 
of the younger were found when Mr. Lee excavated the 
cellar over which his house now stands, and the other in 
the fall of 1878. Those of the former are now in the 
po.s.session of a physician residing at Athens, Calhoun V,o. 

Wolves were very troublesome during the early days in 
this township, and neither life nor property was safe from 
them. Two young men named Lanning. living on section 
17, were on one occasion visiting at Mr. Lee's, and re- 
mained until after darkness had set in. They finally started 
for home, and soon the long-drawn and lugubrious howl of 
a wolf greeted their cai-s and struck terror to their hearts. 
Anon it was answered from another direction, and quickly 
the hungry brutes gathered upon their pathway, bent upon 
feasting on human flesh and blood. The situation of the 
young men was extremely perilous ; they were a mile and 
a quarter from home and pressed clcse by the rapacious 
brutes. Their feet moved rapidly in frantic endeavor to 
carry their owners to a place of safety, and at last they 
stopped, yelled shrilly at the wolves and clapped their 
hands. This had the effect of frightening the animals tem- 
porarily, and enabled the boys to gain upon them. The 
mana-uvre was kept up until finally they reached home, 
pale and terribly agitated, and with no desire to undergo a 
like experience as long as they lived. 

A young Indian, fifteen or sixteen years of age, was 
killed and devoured by wolves within a mile of Mr. Lee's 
present residence, but not before he had brained seven or 
eight of them with his hatchet. When his remains were 
found the dead wolves were discovered lying around the 
tree which he had undoubtedly stood with his back against 
while defending himself 

A man named Perry, who lived half a mile east of Mr. 
Lee's, had four or five pigs in a covered log pen, and they 
would weigh perhaps 100 pounds each. One night a couple 
of wolves came prowling around and frightened the pigs so 
badly that one finally ran out through a hole in the pen. 
The wolves seized him and made off towards the woods. 
The load wiw pretty heavy for them, however, and Mr. 
Perry, hearing the squeals of the luckless '•' shote," and 
discovering its predicament, seized his gun and fired, wound- 
ing one of the wolves, upon which they abandoned their 
burden and were .soon lost in the forest. The pig limped 
back to the pen, sure from its encounter. 

A fine two-year-old heifer, belonging to Mr. Walbert, in 
the same neighborhood, was frightened into the woods by 
wolves and given up for lost. She returned some time 
afterward, however, but badly bitten. On numerous occa- 
sions dead animals were dragged into the woods, where 
their carcasses became food for the omnipresent wolf, whose 
fangs stripped the flesh from them and left their bones to 
bleach and crumble, while other prey was sought. 

George Moyer is yet living on the farm where he settled 
in 1S35, and farther north is John R. Lee, who came the 
same year. J. B. Haviland, now a resident of this town- 
ship, settled in the county in 1841. John Fulton located 



334 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



in 1832 (?), I. M. Palmer in 1837, Perry Ansiey in 1836, 
with his father, who owned the farm where his son now 
lives, and L. R. Ford in 183(). 

Hon. I. D. Beall settled in 1837, on the farm where he 
at present resides. He has twice represented his district in 
the Legislature. Upon his arrival in the township the 
Indians were yet very numerous and generally quiet and 
peaceful. Once, however, Mr. Beall refused to give food 
to an Indian who had lied to him, and subsequent refusals 
aroused the warrior's enmity to such a degree that he could 
scarce restrain his passion. Not long afterward, Mr. Bcal 
was at work in his field, when the report of a gun was 
heard in the adjoining fnre.st and a bullet whistled over his 
head. Thinking it a chance shot, he paid no attention to 
the matter ; but soon another leaden messenger passed most 
uncomfortably close to his ear, and he " stood not upon the 
order of his going," but made the liveliest time credited to 
his record, and in a few minutes reached his house. He 
took down his rifle and loaded it, with the intention of 
shooting his would-be assassin, when another Indian came 
in and begged the privilege of going in his stead. The 
request was granted ; soon the Indian came back and said, 
" Bill, no shoot," and Mr. Beall was never afterward mo- 
lested. With this exception, his dealings with the savages 
were of the most friendly nature. 

One of the Fottawattamies, named Pam-ta-pee, became 
much attached to the settlers, and when it was arranged to 
remove the Indians West he felt very badly about it, and 
used to come to Mr. Lee's and complain about such a pro- 
ceeding. Mr. Lee, Sr., gave one of Pam-ta-pee's boys a 
suit of clothes and a name. When Gen. Brady's soldiers 
were expected to escort the Indians to their Western home 
Pam-ta-pee fled with his family to a large swamp in Cal- 
houn County, where they remained concealed until some 
days after the others had departed. His infant child cried 
a great deal, and the father, fearful of discovery and conse- 
quent removal, .seized it by the heels and dashed its brains 
out against a stump. He and his squaw lived the balance 
of their days in this neighborhood. One of their sons dis- 
appeared suddenly, and it was supposed he was eaten by 
wolves, as his gun and pieces of his clothing were afterward 
found. 

An ugly-tempered Indian, named Muck-a-moot, possessed 
himself of a rifle with a very long barrel, and said he in- 
tended to kill Gen. Brady with it when he came to remove 
them. In order to show what he would do he loaded the 
gun in the presence of a number of Indians and whites, 
and aiming at a charred stump about eight rods off', fired. 
The bullet failed to penetrate the stump, and rolled to the 
ground, amid the derisive laughter of the spectators. Re- 
loading with a heavier charge of powder, he fired again, 
when the bullet barely stuck in the stump. Chagrined and 
mortified, he gave up, and made no trouble wheu the troops 
arrived. 

N. Wilcox settled in Sherwood in 1837, where he now 
lives, on the farm next west of I. D. Beall's. His son, L. 
P. Wilcox, was at the autumn election in 1878 chosen to 
fill the office of sheriff' for Branch County. 

It is related that at Jo.seph Lane's house-warming plenty 
of li(|uor was used, according to the custom of the time. 



The article was very cheap, and of a quality greatly superior 
to the poison now in use. Sixty pounds of corn would pur- 
chase twelve quarts, and, as it was not considered a disgrace 
to indulge, it may be inferred that considerable quantities 
were poured down the throats of the backwoodsmen. 

N. A. Billings came to Michigan in 1837, and settled in 
1842 where he now lives. Peter Renew settled in 1840. 
A. W. Kinyon entered his land in 183.5. but did not locate 
upon it until 18.50. 

The first road in Sherwood township was what was known 
as the '• Territorial road," running from Union City to 
Leonidas, and laid out by commissioners appointed by the 
Territorial government. 

Lyman Studley and his brother, Iliraui W. Studley, were 
among the early settlers of this township. They were from 
a locality six miles north of Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y. 
Lyman came to Athens, Calhoun Co., Mich., in 1836, and 
to Sherwood in 1838. His brother probably came to the 
township the latter year also. Both are now deceased. 
During the first of the California gold excitement Lyman 
went to the " New El Dorado," and was followed by his 
brother in two or three years. The latter died on his way 
home. His sou, Jerome J. Studley, is the present town- 
ship clerk, having held the position several terms. 

Ryan Williams, also from Genesee Co., N. Y., came to 
Sherwood in 1838, with his wife and six children, and 
settled on section 28, about a mile from his present resi- 
dence. In 1848 he returned to New York, where he re- 
mained until 1858. when he settled permanently in Sher- 
wood. Upon his arrival in 1838 he could not find men 
enough to help him raise his log house, and was obliged to 
accomplish the work with the aid of a yoke of oxen and a 
cable chain. 

The first settler on the south side of the St. Joseph 
River in Sherwood was John Onderdonk, who came from 
New York City in 1836. A man named Lowry lived 
about the same time on the south line of the township, and 
Ephraim Plank came probably the same year. For about 
two years after this no others came, but by 1838 the south- 
ern portion of town commenced filling rapidly. 

Hiram Doubleday was one of the first settlers, and held 
the office of supervisor twelve or fifteen years. He was the 
second to fill that office in the township. 

Chauncey Bartlett, now living east of Sherwood village, 
settled early in Union township, subsequently removing to 
Sherwood. Jabin Hazen came to the State in 1836, and 
settled in Calhoun County, between Homer and Marshall. 
In 1841 he reiuoved with his family to Sherwood, where 
his son, B. F. Hazen, now resides. 

The first frame house in Sherwood township was built 
by John Onderdonk, who has been mentioned as the first 
settler south of the river. His house stood on section 28. 

The first white child born in the township was a daugh- 
ter of Robert Waldron, which died in infancy. The first 
death was that of the father of Joseph D. Lane. He was 
a veteran of the Revolution, and came on a visit to his son, 
accompanied by another son, Asher Lane. He was very 
old and infirm, and used a cane in walking. After staying 
some weeks he started alone, though nearly blind, through 
the woods to visit an old friend named Gilbert, living in the 



HORACE O. LEE. 

The Lee family are descended from 
good old Revolutionary stock, the 
maternal grandfather of our subject 
having been a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war, while his paternal grand- 
father did good service in the expulsion 
of the British from New London. 

Horace O. Lee was born in the 
town of Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 9, 1823. He was the son of 
Thomas and Anice (Bearaan) Lee, 
who had a family of twelve children. 

The elder Lee was a carpenter and 
joiner by occupation, and a hard work- 
ing man of excellent habits. He was 
bom in the town of Lime, Conn., 
July 18, 1779. In 1836 he emigrated 
with his family, which consisted of 
his wife and six children, to Sherwood, 
and settled upon the farm now owned 
by his son Horace, where he resided 
until his death, in 1851, in the seventy- 
second year of his age. 

In 1854 his wife died. She was 
bom June 18, 1786, in Hartford Co., 
Conn. 



HIRAM DOUBLEDAY. 

In 1676, Elisha Doubleday came 
from Yorkshire, England, with his 
two sons, Elijah and ElLsha, and 
settled in Boston, Mass. Elijah died 
without ehihJron, and Elisha became 
the progenitor of the Doubleday family 
in America. 

Hiram Doubleday, the subject of 
this narrative, was born in the town 
of Westfield, Washington Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 20, 1802. He was the son of 
Elisha, of the fifth generation, and 
Mercy Bement, who had a family of 
ten children. 

Elisha (the fourth), grandfather of our subject, was a soldier 
of the Revolution, and was engaged in the defense of New 
London, Conn., against the burning by Benedict Arnold, in 1781. 
In 18()4, Elisha, father of Hiram, emigrated from Washing- 
ton County to Onondaga County, and settled in the town of 
Fabius, where he was an early settler. He was a farmer, and 
became one of the prominent citizens of that county, and died 
in Fabius in the sixtieth year of his age. He was a man of 
un(|Ucstioned integrity and of temperate and industrious habits. 
As was customary in those days, Hiram acknowledged obliga- 
tion to his parents in his labor until he attained his majority. 
When he went to Yates County he had acquired a good common- 
school education, which he made practically useful to himself 
and others by teaching. 

In 1825 he married Miss Betsey, daughter of Samuel Wallace, 
of Fultney, Steuben Co., N. Y., where she was born in 1802. 

After their marriage they purchased a farm in the town of 
Italy, Yates County, where he remained until March 3, 1832, 




HOf^ACE O.LEE. 




Horace's early days were spent on 
his fiithcr's farm, sharing the hardships 
and privations of a pioneer family. 
Upon his father's decease he purchased 
the homestead upon which he now 
resides. 

In 1854 he niariicd Miss: Sarah, 
daughter of Nathaniel Gilbert, Esq., 
one of the early settlers of Leonidas, 
St. Jo.scph County. They have been 
Messed with three children, one of 
whom died in infancy. 

j\Ir. Lee ha.s been prominently iden- 
tified with Sherwood for eight years, 
having filled acceptiibly the office of 
justice, and fur four years that of town 
treasurer. 

In his religious and political affili- 
ations he is a Methodist and a Repub- 
lican. 

He has devoted him.self to the 
cares of the farm and matters of per- 
sonal concern, and his life has been 
comparatively uneventful ; but in his 
eho.sen calling he has attained success, 
and enjoys the esteem and confidence 
of his fellow-citizens. 



jimm DOUBLEDAY. 



when he started for Michigan with his 
family, then composed of his wife and 
three children, — Harvey M., Harriet 
(now Mrs. D. D. Riley), and Myron. 
The entire journey was made with 
an ox-team. They arrived safely in. 
the town of Athens, Calhoun County 
(the fourth family in the town;, in the 
forepart of the month of April, where 
Mr. Doubleday purchjiscd eighty acres 
of land about a mile and a half from 
the present village of Athens. At the 
time of Mr. Doubleday 's settlement 
in Athens, Michigan was a semi-wilder- 
ness, with here and there a few resolute 
pioneers, who had erected their cabins and made small clearings, 
but not a tree had been felled where Union City now stands. 

In 1836, Mr. Doubleday came to Sherwood and purchased 
three hundred and twenty acres of land, one hundred and sixty 
acres on section 2, and one hundred and sixty on section 4. From 
that time until his removal to Union City, in 1872, no man was 
more prominently identified with the town. He assisted in the 
present organization of the town, and was elected its first super- 
visor, which position he filled acceptably two terms in succession, 
and afterwards satisfactorily served in the capacity for a number 
of terms. He is a man entirely devoid of ostentation. Possessed 
of strong, natural common sense, of positive opinions, and public- 
spirited, his line of action in all matters is always strongly marked, 
and followed with tenacity. Mr. Doubleday is one of the prom- 
inent and successful farmers of the township. In business mat- 
ters he is methodical, his word is considered as good as his bond, 
and none stand higher in the esteem of the people than he, and 
to his family he will leave that priceless jewel, an untarnished name. 



HISTOKi' OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



335 



town of Leouidas, St. Joseph Co. He was missed by the 
neighbors, who iiiijuircd if he wa.s sick and learned wlicrc 
he had gone. To tiiom the action of the son in allowing 
the father to start alone on such a journey seemed criminal, 
and much excitement was created. A mes.senger sent to 
Gilbert's brought back word that the old man had not been 
there, and immediately the men in the settlement instituted 
a search for him, which was long kept up, but without suc- 
cess. It is stated on some authority that bones and bits of 
clothing were long afterwards Ibund, which were supposed 
to bo his, while others say that nothing was ever discovered 
which would lead to an intimation of his fate. The Lanes, 
finding themselves in much disfavor, emigrated westward 
to the iState of Iowa. 

Mr. Bowers and David Kilbourn were early settlers in 
the township. The latter located in 1S3G on a farm one 
mile northeast of Sherwood village, where he died in 1872. 
Of his nine children all but one are living, and that one 
offered his life upon his country's altar during the great 
civil war, having been killed in battle at (jorintli. Miss. 

Dr. A. P. Mitchell and G. W. Mitchell came into the 
county in 18:?6, and both now reside in Sherwood. 

Joseph Failing, who had been given up by the doctors 
as a certain victim of consumption, came early into the 
township, cleared up the farm where he now lives, and 
regained his health entirely. 

Ephraim Cline and a Mr. Dunks were also early settlers, 
and both have since passed to the shadowy " land of the 
hereafter." 

The first school-house built in the township was erected 
by Joseph D. Lane, on the southwest corner of section 5. 
One end stood on land owned by Joseph Russell. The 
name of the teacher who was employed to instruct the 
children of the pioneers in this building is not now re- 
collected. 

The early settlers of Sherwood were in geiieral a class of 
honest, upright, fearless, truthful, kind, and accommodating 
people, and their faces and deeds are cherished faithfully in 
the memory of those who knew them, while their children 
have proved most worthy descendants of the parents who 
reared them. But few of the original settlers are now 
living. 

TOWNSHIP OaaANIZATION, ELECTIONS, ETC. 

When it was definitely settled that a new township 
should be organized the settlers met at the house of one 
of their number, and found there were not enough to fill 
all the offices. For that reason the two townships (now 
Sherwood and Union) were set off as one, and it was agreed 
that an equal number of officers should be chosen for each. 
Alexander E. Tomlinsoii was secretary of the first town- 
meeting. Through some dexterous manoeuvring on the 
part of Robert Waldron it was so managed that the people 
of the east half of the township voted for one man who 
was about to move into the west half, thus giving the latter 
the majority of officers. This was attributed by some to 
the influence of Mr. Tomlinson, and it is said that he and 
Waldron finally had a scuffle over it and gave each other 
bloody no.ses ! Mr. Waldron is now living .somewheri' in 
the West. 



As the records of the township previous to the year 1855 
have been destroyed it is impossible to give a list of the 
officers for that period. At the first township-meeting, in 
183(>. the following were a few of those chosen, viz. : Town- 
ship Clerk, Phineas P. Lee; Ju.stices of the Peace, Joseph 
Russell, William Minor; Commissioners of Highways, Jos. 
Russell, Joseph J. Libhart, Nahum Sargent. The name 
of the first supervisor is not remcmlwred. 

Beginning with 1855, the following have been the prin- 
cipal officers of the township of Sherwood : 



sr I'Kltvlsous, 



ISod. Lorenzo Liille. 
lSi)6-57. Isaac D. BealL 
1858. David H. Cooley. 
1859-60. James S. Antisdale. 
ISfil. Richar.l IL WiUard. 
1862. .John li. Uavilaiid. 



1863. Daniel D. Kilev. 
1864-65. Isaac D. Ut-all. 
186B-67. Henry L. lii-xbcc. 
1868-72. Loring P. Wilco.x. 
1873-74. James Gwin. 
1875-77. Charles E. Swain. 



TOWN CI.KllKS. 



1855. AIe.\. E. Tomlin.son. 
1850-60. E. F. Hazcn. 

1861. James S. Antisdale. 

1862. Isaac D. Dcall. 
1863-06. Loving P. Wilio.x. 
1867-68. E. F. Hazcn. 
1869-71. Clark C. Lake. 
1872. Isaac D. lieall. 



1873. Robert Eraser. 

W. C. Steam,-* (apjiointcd 
same year, hut resignetl, 
and Charles E. Swain aji- 
jiointed in his place). 

1874. William Lehr. 

1875. Jerome J. Studley. 
1876-77. Henry Sayers. 



JUSTICKS or THE PKACE. 



1855. 

1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 

1803. 



1804. 



Jared M. RowcU. 
Warren Henry. 
J. Haviland. 
Lebbeus Rowe. 
Isaac D. Beall. 
Burr Osborn. 
Henry Duncan. 
Lebbeus Rowe. 
Isaac D. Beall. 
E. F. Haien. 
Burr Osborn. 
Edward K. Wilcox. 
Peter P. Gardner. 
Ira Luke. 
Burr Osborn. 



1805. 

1806. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 

1875, 

1876. 
1877, 



Horace 0. Lee. 
E. F. Hazen. 
Isaac D. Beall. 
Loring P. Wilcox. 
Ira Lake. 
Henry L. Bisbee. 
Isaac D. Beall. 
James Gwin. 
Manton E. Sawins. 
Horace 0. Lee. 
H. L. Bisbee. 
Robert Barton. 
Horace 0. Lee. 
Samuel Kilbourn. 
M. E. Sawins. 
Ryan Williams. 



TitK.\SURERS. 



1855. Franklin ('. Watkins. 
1856-57. Chester C. Doty. 
1858-59. Joseph Failing. 

1860. S. W. Blackman. 

1861. E. F. Hazen. 

1862. Daniel D. Kilcy. 
186:{-64. Lucicn E. Rnwe. 



1865. Henry Bullock. 
1866-68. Clark C. Lake. 
1869-71. Horace 0. Lee. 
1872. Franklin H. Fisher. 
1873-74. Frank Thonis. 
1875-77. Marion 0. Hazcn. 



COMMISSlON'KllS OF HlfillWAVS. 



1855. 


Wilson McSpcncer. 


1866. 


Edward Stanton 


1856. 


P. Clark. 


1867. 


Burr Osborn. 


1857. 


Benjamin F. Ferris. 


1868. 


Jabin Gwin. 


1858. 


James Gwin. 


1869. 


Edward Stanton 


1859. 


Pelatiah Chirk. 


1870. 


Burr Osborn. 


1860. 


Reuben P. Coddiiigton. 


1871. 


•Tabin Gwin. 


1861. 


Benjamin Blossom. 


1872. 


Lucien E. Rowe 


1862. 


Lyman Studley. 


1873. 


Clark C. Lake. 


1863. 


Morris Zimmerman. 


1874. 


Jesse Gates. 


1864. 


Pelatiah Chirk. 


1875. 


Jabin Gwin. 


1865. 


John M. Lacey. 


1876. 


Jesse Gates. 




Benjamin Blossom. 


1877. 


Jesse Gates. 



336 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



SCHOOL INSPECTO 

1855. William Trafton. 1866. 

1856. Morris Zimmerman. 1867. 
D. D. Riley. 1868. 

1857. James S. Antisdale. 1869. 

1858. Morris Zimmerman. 

1859. James S. Antisdale. 1870. 

1860. Hermon H. Johnson. 1871. 

1861. R. C. Blackman. 1872. 

1862. Seymour S. Gage. 187.3. 

1863. Clark C. Blackman. 1874. 

1864. William E. Tomlinson. 1875. 
Clark C. Lake. 1876 

1865. Clark C. Lake. 1877. 
Steven J. Clark. 



RS. 

Bruce C. Wilcox. 
Clark C. Lake. 
Bruce C. Wilcox. 
Bruce C. Wilcox. 
Julius S. Dunks. 
Julius S. Dunks. 
D.aniel D. Riley. 
Julius S. Dunks. 
Clark C. Lake. 
Frank Fisher. 
Julius S. Dunks. 
0. S. Bathrick. 
Harvey B. Smith. 



SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS. 

1875. Clark C. Lake, re-elected each year since. 

DRAIN roMMISSIOXEKS. 

1873. E. F. Hazen. i 1876. George Blackwell. 

1874. George Blackwell. i 1877. No record. 

1875. George Osborn. 

The oflScers chosen foi- Sherwood township in 1878 were 
the following, viz. : Supervisor, Chiules H. Mann ; Town 
Clerk, Jerome J. Studley ; Treasurer, Horace 0. Lee ; 
Justice of the Peace, Thomas B. Kirby ; Commissioner of 
Highways, John Stafford ; School Superintendent, Clark C. 
Lake ; School Inspector, Asahel P. Spencer ; Drain Com- 
missioner, Robert Fraser ; Constables, James Draper, Cyrus 
Pierce, John Studley, Herbert H. Cross. 

VILLAGE OF SHERWOOD. 

When the Air-Line Railway became a certainty the plan 
of laying out a village to be called Hazenville was discussed, 
and finally E. F. Hazen and Manton E. Sawin platted the vil- 
lage of Sherwood, on land previously owned by the former. 
Mixed trains began running over the road in the fall of 
1870, and mail trains were put on the following summer. 

Before the village was platted the only house on the south 
side of the railroad was that of E. F. Hazen, and on the 
north but two were standing, — those of Lyman Studley 
and St. Clair Leatherberry. Since then the place has 
grown so rapidly that now it contains a population of about 
250. It is located on a picturesque plain, and surrounded 
by excellent farming country. 

In the fall of 1870, Frank M. Warner built the struc- 
ture now used as a hotel, and in it opened a grocery, the 
first store of any kind in the place. He was bought out in 
1871 by Jerome J. Studley. Isaac Maltby purchased the 
store from Studley, and finally converted it into a hotel. 
In the fiill of 1878 he disposed of it to the present pro- 
prietor, C. D. Leech. 

Jonathan Hare erected the second store in the village, — 
the building now occupied by the post-oflSce, — and the third 
one was built by Wm. Palmer. The two stores next north 
were built, — the one occupied by a drug establishment 
by Ezra Bostwick, of Union City, and the other by J. W. 
Spencer, of the same place. These are all frame buildings. 

A steam grist- and saw-mill was built for J. W. French 
& Son, and is now in operation, owned by that firm, as is a 
planing-mill built and owned by Messrs. Sawin & Staftbrd. 

The first post-office in the township was called Newstead, 
upon the suggestion of A. E. Tomlinson, after the famous 
Newstead Abbey, in England. Jared M. Rowell was post- 



master for many years. The oflBce at Sherwood village was 
established in the summer of 1871, and Jerome J. Studley 
received the appointment of first postmaster. He was suc- 
ceeded by Isaac Maltby, and he by the present incumbent, 
Henry Sayers. 

It is thought that the first resident physician in the 
township was Dr. Mason Spencer, who practiced here thirty- 
two years, and was killed by the cars in the summer of 
1878. Drs. R. Fraser, L. R. Daniels, and A. P. Mitchell 
are at present practicing, the former having located here in 
1870. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

A Methodist class was organized here in 1838, consist- 
ing of six members, viz., Lyman Studley and wife, John 
Onderdonk and wife, and Ryan Williams and wife. A 
young missionary by the name of Jones held services at 
that time. The society increased in members to such an 
extent that about 1856-58 the present frame church was 
built. At that time the membership was between 90 and 
100, while now it numVjers only about 20. The present 
pastor is Rev. 0. S. Paddock, who also has charge of a 
church in Athens. 

CHURCH OF SHERWOOD. 

In 1877 a revolution took place in the Methodist 
Church, and many of its members withdrew and organized 
themselves into a body with the above name, under the 
leadership of M. V. Rork, a former Methodist minister, 
who had conceived ideas so liberal as not to conform to the 
strict rules of Jlethodism, — ideas which in the estimation 
of himself and many others were the true foundation for 
human happiness. So popular is Mr. Rork that his fol- 
lowers here nuiuber 130, and a society with the same belief 
has recently built and dedicated a church in Athens, cost- 
ing 85000, which is the only one in the United States 
erected by a society of this denomination. As yet the 
society at Sherwood has no church, but holds its meetings 
in Red-Ribbon Hall. 

A FREE METHODIST SOCIETY 

was organized here about 1867, and has a limited number 
of members at present. A small frame church has been 
erected, and meetings are held once in two weeks. The 
pastor is Rev. Mr. Tompkins. The church is located on 
the " corners," south of the railroad. 

The growth of the village of Sherwood has been remark- 
able, and illustrates what " might have been" had the rail- 
road been constructed through here many years ago, as 
originally surveyed. As an agricultural township Sher- 
wood ranks high, and those of her first settlers who are 
now living can view with pride the home of their adoption, 
with its broad and fertile fields and excellent improvements. 

Alexander E. Tomlinson, the first settler in Sherwood, 
has kindly furnished us with many facts and incidents 
which are embodied in the foregoing history, and among 
others who have lent their aid in this respect are J. S. 
Rowell, of Union City, whose father, J. M. Rowell, was 
one of Sherwood's pioneers ; Jerome J. Studley, Ryan 
Williams, Dr. R. Fraser, and others. Numerous items also 
have been taken from the articles published the past winter 
in the Coldwater Republican. 



HISTORY OF BllANCU COTTNTY, MIOHTGAN. 



337 



BIOURAPHICAL SKETOIUIS. 



EPIIIiAIM t'l-INK. 

This gentleman was for iiiaiij years iiruiuineiitly identi- 
fied with the towns of Matteson and Sherwood, and was 
born in Bingiiamton, N. V., Nov. 12, 1812. His early 
life was spent upon his father's farm, receiving only limited 
advantages for education. At the age of sixteen his father 
died, and he went to live with an uncle, with whom he re- 
mained fifteen years. In 1S;!1 his uncle emigrated to 
Michigan, and settled in the town of Nottawa, St. Joseph 
Co. The following spring K|ihraim joined his iiiiele, and 
shortly after went to work for Judge Connor, of Nottawa, 
with whom he remained about two years. During this 
time he made the ac(|uaintance of Miss Mary Sheeks, whom 
he married in June, 1834. Mrs. Clino was a native of 
Ohio, where .she was born in 1816. After their marriage 
they rented a farm for a limited time, and by industry and 
economy saved a sum sufficient to enter eighty acres of land 
in the town of Matteson. Upon this farm he resided six 
years, when he sold and purchased three hundred and 
twenty acres in the north part of the town, where he re- 
sided until his death, in 1874. Mr. Cline was a man of 
indomitable energy and perseverance, of temperate habits, 
and pos.sessed of a hardy constitution and an abundance 
of will. He became noted for his industry and ability to 
perform a vast amount of hard labor. Like most self-made 
men, be commenced life at the bottom round of the ladder, 



and by his own individual ett'orts he achieved success in all 
departments, and became one of the prominent farmers and 
valued citizens of the county. Devoid of ostentation, he 
shunned political i)referment, and his whole life wxs devoted 
to his farm and matters of personal concern. In his relig- 
ious convictions he was a Methodist, and did much to ad- 
vance religious interests. Socially, he was genial and 
pleasant, winning and retaining the regard of all with whom 
he came in contact. His house was open to all, and his 
hospitality was proverbial. All charitable and benevolent 
enterprises found in him a warm friend and sujiporter, and 
any project that had for its object the advancement of the 
material interests of bis town or county received his hearty 
co-operation. 

Mr. and Mrs. Cline reared a family of eight children, — 
five boys and three girls, — all of whom are now living, and 
with the exception of two sons in Montana, all are resi- 
dents of this county. Oscar, the eldest of the family, was 
born in Nottawa, St. Joseph ('o., July 12, 183(5. His rec- 
ollection of the pioneer times is vivid, and he is entitled to 
the appellation of an old settler. He remained with his 
father until he was twenty-four years of age, when he mar- 
ried Mi.ss Samantha, daughter of Jabin G win, of Sherwood. 
They commenced life upon a new farm in !\Iatt&son, which 
he improved, and upon which he resided until, in 18t)8, 
he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. He is 
possessed of many of the prominent characteristics of his 
father, and like him is entitled to a foremost place among 
the representative men and successful farmers of Branch 
County. 







JABIN R. GWIN. 

JABIN 11. GWIX. 
Among the successful and self-made men of Sherwood, 
the subject of this narrative occupies a prominent posi- 
tion. He was born in Green township, Richland Co., 
Ohio, Jan. 17, 1816. His father, Joseph Gwin, who was 
a farmer, had two sons, Jabin R. and Calvin W. Jabin 
lived at home until be Wius seventeen, when he commenced 
43 




\ 1 ^ 

MRS. JABIN R. GWIN. 



life for himself :is a farm laborer. At the age of twenty- 
two he was married to Miss Lorinda Pease, of Genesee Co., 
N. Y., where she was born Nov. 22, 1820. In 1840 he 
came to Michigan and purchased a farm in Cass County. 
His venture proved unprofitable, and in 1849 he removed 
to Wisconsin. After a residence of two years he returned 
to Sherwood and pnrcha.sed the farm now owned by Frank 



338 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Ensign. Two years subsequently he sold and puicliased 
the farm where he now resides, which at present consists of 
two hundred acres. The land was entirely new, and the 
fine farm of to-day is the result of his own energy and in- 
dustry. A view of his place we present on another page, 
in connection with portraits of himself and wife. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gwin have been blessed with seven child- 
ren, three of whom are now dead. Both have passed 
through the ordeal of the construction of a farm and a 



home from the wilderness, and are entitled to the appella- 
tion of old settlers. Mr. Gwin has never sought political 
preferment, nor ha.s his name been known in official circles. 
He has pursued a line of life where the goal has proved a 
satisfaction. Among the people of Sherwood none stand 
higher for integrity and those ennobling qualities that 
make the true man. Both himself and wife are members 
of the Methodist Church and are liberal supporters of 
church interests. 





Photos, by E. Kindmark, CuUIwater. 



NEWCOMB WILCOX. 



MRS. NEWCOMB WILCOX. 



NEWCO.MB WILCOX, 
one of the pioneers of Sherwood, was born in Naples, On- 
tario Co., N. Y., Nov. 3, 1803. He was the sou of Charles 
and Sally (Kibbee) Wilcox, who had a family of five chil- 
dren. The elder Wilcox was a carpenter and joiner by^ oc- 
cupation ; but little is known of his history further than 
that he was an industrious man, of excellent habits, and a 
worthy citizen. When Newcomb was thirteen years of age 
his father died, and he was thrown upon his own resources. 
He pursued various avocations until 1825, at which time 
he was married to Miss Maranda Stearns. After his mar- 
riage, in company with a brother, he purchased a farm near 
Naples, which they carried on in connection with a saw- 
mill until his emigration to Michigan, whither his brother 
Edward had removed the year previous, settling in the town 
of Leonidas, St. Joseph Co. In April, 1837, Mr. Wilcox left 
Naples with his family, which consisted of his wife and four 
children, in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen. The 
journey was made in thirty-one days, and was marked by 



many eventful incidents. Previous to his removal he had 
exchanged his farm in Ontario County for eighty acres of 
land in Sherwood, which is a portion of the farm on which 
he now resides. The land was entirely new, and had no 
improvements save the body of a log house, into which the 
family moved before its completion. In addition to the 
many hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, the 
family were all sick with chills and fever. To Mrs. Wilcox 
the situation was trying in the extreme, but, with that forti- 
tude that was characteristic of pioneer women, she bore up 
bravely, and as time passed on her load was lightened. Mrs. 
Wilcox was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Jan. 14, 
1808. Her parents, Phineas and Mary (Cooper) Stearns, 
emigrated to Oneida County in 1812. Her father died in 
Illinois, at the advanced age of eighty-five. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wilcox have been bles.sed with a family of seven children, — 
five daughters and two sons. They have led exemplary 
lives, and have done much in advancing the best interests of 
society. Both are worthy members of the Baptist Church. 



CALIFORNIA. 



California, a fractional township, is situated in the 
southeiist corner of the county. It is designate<i by the 
United States survey ;w towiisiiip number 8 south, of ran^e 
number 5 west, and is bounded on the north and west re- 
spectively by Algansec and Kinderhook townships of Braiicii 
County, east by Hillsdale County, and south by the State 
of Indiana. 

Its surface, which is claimed to be the highest on the 
line of the proposed Mansfield, Coldwater and Lake Michi- 
gan Railroad, is of a level character, yet sufficiently rotliiii; 
to afford good surface drainage. 

No streams of any importance cross its borders, and its 
area of swamps and water surface is less in extent, perhaps, 
than that of any other township in the county. Sections 
5 and 18 each contain small lakes of about 30 and 50 
acres respectively. 

The soil is a sandy and gravelly loam, very productive, 
and for agricultural purposes compares favorably with other 
portions of the county. 

The people are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
Their lands and buildings evince taste, intelligent culture, 
and general prosperity. It contains a total area of 13,275 
acres, of which 11,()25 acres are in farm lands, and in 1874 
had a population of 8-11 inhabitants. 

ITS PIONEERS. 

In the latter part of the month of December, 1835, 
Samuel Beach, accompanied by his son William, then four- 
teen years of age, and James H. Lawrence, a brother-in- 
law of the elder Beach, started from Saline, Washtenaw 
Co., Mich., and traveling via the (Jhicago road arrived at 
Coldwater without incident. 

The village of Coldwater then contained some (i or S 
dwelling-houses, 2 stores, 2 taverns, and a few other build- 
ings, and a rickety saw-mill down by the river. The sur- 
rounding country w;us a wide, desolate, almost treeless plain, 
which, swept by the wintry winds, and covered by drilling 
snows, presented to the travelers a most forbidding aspect. 
They could not think of .stopping on the Coldwater Prairie, 
and after remaining overnight, started the following morn- 
ing for " Waterhouse Corners." After fording the river, 
they purcha.sed 200 feet of boards at the mill, which, with 
one half-barrel of pork, tw(j bags of wheat flour, one bag of 
buckwheat flour, a few bushels of potatoes, cooking utensils, 
bedding, axes, rifles, etc., made a pretty good load for their 
horse-team and wagon. The journey to Waterhouse was 
accomplished by nightfall, after much labor in cutting out 
roads, unloading and loading again in marshy places, where 
their team got " stalled." 

Mr. Lawrence relates that they were most cordially re- 
ceived by Messrs. Waterhouse and Lamson, and were 



feasted upon venison steak and cranberry sauce, and then, 
after talking of game and range, of quarter-.scctions, home, 
friends, and everybody s connections, they la}' down upon 
the floor, sleeping the sound, refreshing sleep which always 
follows a day of honest toil. Tiie next morning they were 
routed out early by their indefatigable leader (Samuel 
Beach }, and after partaking of a good breakfast, bade their 
hospitable friends good-by and struck out for their destina- 
tion, which was six miles due east. On account of swamps 
they were obliged to make a wide detour to avoid them, 
which added greatly to the distanct! and difficulties of the 
undertaking, and it was long after noon ere they reached 
the j)oint the}' intended making their home. Just before 
reaching their journey s end, their team ran violently down 
a steep place into the marsh. The bag of buckwheat flour 
fell out, and, striking on the frozen ground, burst open, 
losing nearly oTie-half its contents. They could not aff'ord 
time then to gather up what had run out, but continued on 
their wav- We now quote from Mr. Lawrence : 

" Mr. Beach struck a fire and l)egan cooking our dinner, 
his son unharnessed and fed the team, while I took an axe 
and began cutting logs for our house, and I suppose I cut 
the first tree ever cut in this township by an actual settler. 
After eating we went to work to construct a shelter for the 
night, and we worked as only men will work when driven 
by that stern taskm;vster, necessity, for we had only a few 
hours to prepare for a wintry December night. There were 
some three or four inches of snow on the ground and more 
coming, and with all our efforts we only succeeded in cut- 
ting and rolling up twelve logs, or enough to make our 
house three logs high on a side. We then took a Cuvf of 
our boards for a floor and threw the rest on the top of the 
lojrs for a shelter. There was just room enough to sit 
upright under them. .\ fire was built in one corner of the 
house against the logs. We then sliced up some of our 
pork, and were cooking it on a forked stick when we were 
startled by a voice from with<mt shouting, ' Halloo, there !' 
Had the voice come up out of the earth, or from the skies, 
we could not have been more concerned, for we did not 
suppose that a white person was nearer than Waterhouse 
Corners. After recovering a little from our fright, we re- 
plied, ' Who's there?' ' Friends,' was the response. We 
said • Come in.' They did so by stepping over our house. 
They proved to be Asahel Brown and Nathan Austin, who 
had heard of us at Coldwater, and taking our tracks, had 
followed us in. Of cour.se we were glad to see them, and 
afU!r a plea.sant evening's visit, which commenced a life- 
long acquaintance, we lay down on our boards and slept 
soundly. 

'• The next morning, after breakfast, our guests left us, 
and .Mr. Brnwn w;w fortunate enough to find and secure one 

339 



340 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



of the finest farms in the county. The second day our house 
was finished high enough to admit a man standing upright 
under the boards used as a slielter. The team had gone 
back to the world, and Mr. Beach and myself were left alone. 
Our house was at last finished. It was twelve feet square, 
and contained one room, which served as parlor, kitchen, 
sitting-, and bed-room. Our provision chest was our table, 
and our bedding, rolled up, served as chairs. The pork 
barrel stood against the outside of the house (no fear of 
neighbors robbing it). The potatoes had been thrown down 
upon the ground, and were frozen as hard as gunstoues. 
When they were wanted for eating we would take a hatful 
of them, and, raking open the ashes, would heap coals of 
fire upon them, which softened them as effectually as heap- 
ing ' coals upon an enemy's head.' 

" Soon after the completion of the small house just men- 
tioned a larger one, some twenty feet square, was commenced, 
in anticipation of the arrival of Mr. Beach's family in the 
spring. To raise it, the neighbors six miles away were in- 
vited. They came to a man. It was not completed the 
first day, and the neighbois — though earnestly entreated 
to remain through the night, as a blinding snow-storm had 
commenced — determined to return to their wives and 
homes. They lost their course, and were forced to remain 
in the woods all night. They built a rousing fire, sat by 
it through the night, finally reaching home in safety the 
next morning. They returned the next week, and assisted 
to complete the walls of the second house. 

Mr. Lawrence says that " Mr. Beach and myself put 
on the roof one of the coldest days of the year. The nails 
would stick to our mittens, would break and fly like glass, 
and our fingers were pounded black and blue. During all 
this tinie our flour wasted away, and at last was gone. I 
went six miles to borrow a loaf of bread, following section 
lines through swamps and marshes. We were not quite 
ready to go home, as we did not want to leave our work, 
but we could not work without bread. In this dilemma 
we happened to think of the buckwheat flour that ran out 
of the bag when it fell from the wagon three weeks pre- 
viously, and we thought that possibly some of it might be 
good. We returned to the place and found that the snow 
had formed a thin crust over it. When this was taken off 
the flour was as nice as when it ran from our bag. This 
was gathered up as carefully as if it had been gold-dust. 
It was manna to us. This timely supply enabled us to 
finish up our work so that we could leave and go home. 
But what should we do with our household goods? There 
were plenty of Indians about. It is true, we had formed 
their acquaintance and were on very friendly terms with 
them, and could almost any day get a nice ham of venison 
for a lump of salt. But we dared not leave our treasures 
in their keeping. 

We at last hit upon a plan : the ashes were gathered up 
from our hearth, a hole was dug underneath, in it was 
placed our treasures, the ashes were replaced and a good 
fire kept up for a day and night, which effectually hid our 
' cache.' Then we lay down on our bed of dried grass and 
slept, intending to start early nn the morrow. How long 
we slept we had no means of knowint;. We had no 
ancient time-piece on the wall. 



"*No clarion cock, with winding horn, 
From his airy perch in neighboring barn 
To usher in approaching morn, 
For his accustomed feed of golden corn.' 

But we slept by gue.ss, and after sleeping as we thought 
our usual hours, we arose and started for the nearest house, 
which was ten miles distant in the direction we intended to 
travel. Taking our Indian trail, we set our faces eastward 
and homeward. There were a few inches of snow upon 
the ground, which enabled us to follow the trail without 
difficulty, but it took us a devious, roundabout way of 
some twelve miles ere we reached the house we had in 
view. On arriving there the inmates were still sleeping. 
We thought we would not disturb the family ; so we kept 
on our way to Allen's Prairie, six miles farther. When 
we came tliere no one was stirring, and there were no more 
signs of morning than when we started from our shanty 
eighteen miles distant. So we kept on, and just as we 
stood on the heights overlooking Jonesville the morning 
light was breaking. We walked on to the village tavern 
and called for breakfast, to which we did ample justice. 
The victuals disappeared like frost before the morning sun. 
'Twas a bitter cold morning, our walk of twenty miles had 
not decreased our appetite, and we had a long walk before 
us (for we were determined to reach home, fifty miles away, 
before sleeping), so we ballasted accordingly. But that 
poor landlord, he didn't want to feed us again, nor did he 
ask us to ' call again.' We left him to recover from the 
attack as best he could, and reached our home in Saline 
that night, having traveled during the day a distance of 
seventy miles. 

" After remaining a short time in Saline we loaded up a 
sled-load of hou.sehold furniture and started back, leaving 
the family to complete further arrangements for removal. 
We came to Allen's Prairie, on the Chicago turnpike, then 
southward towards our home in the woods. On the west 
bank of Long Lake, six miles .south of Allen's Prairie, lived 
a family by the name of Carpenter. The family consisted 
of five brothers and three sisters. This was the only house 
on our route from Allen's. We arrived there in the even- 
ing, after having forded the outlet of the lake. The stream 
was about thirty feet wide, and frozen on either side. We 
broke the ice, and then our oxen went down and through 
to the other side. They were most effectually immersed, 
likewise our furniture. The next morning we started out 
to accomplish the remaining part of our journey, which 
was a distance of eleven miles, and over a route hitherto 
untraveled by teams. 

" Mr. Beach and son looked out and cut a road as well as 
they could ; but little time had they for cutting, however, 
for I drove the team, and kept snug up to them all day, and 
when nightfall came on we had, by following a crooked 
Indian-trail, worked our way through. But we had a 
sadly-demoralized load of furniture, for I had frequently 
driven over logs a foot or more in diameter, and the result 
was chairs with broken legs, and tables with legs and leaves 
wrenched from their fastenings. We found our ' cache' in 
the cabin all right. Although (lur jnurney was ended, we 
were not through with our tmubles. An elephant was on 
our hands in the shape of the (jxen, which had served us 




; .^i^^; 




J. II. LAWRENCE. 



MRS. .7. II. I..\WREXOE. 



THE LAWKKNCE FAJIILY. 



The father and mother of J. H. Lawrence were born in 
Connecticut, in 1770 and 1774 re.spectively, and were 
united in marriage in 1794. Soon after tliey emigrated to 
Western New York, going all the way from Utica to 
Kochester by " marked" trees, traveling by team, and 
settling in Genesee, Livingston County. He would not have 
taken the whole city plot of Rochester at that time as a 
gift had it been offered him, for it was a perfect quagmire, 
and footmen had to jump from one bog to another. He 
was in the war of 1812, at Black Rock and the burning of 
Bufi'alo ; was taken prisoner by the British, but soon re- 
leased. After peace was declared he pursued the business 
of blacksmithing at Genesee, customers coming fifty miles to 
get work done. They were three times burned out, saving 
only the clothes on their backs, and in addition suffered all 
the privations and hardships of pioneer life. The Indians 
were warlike and troublesome ; and at one time while a 
council was being held in the place, at which was required 
the presence of every white man and Indian (and it was 
supposed every Indian was present), there came a couple of 
Indian braves into the house where Mrs. Lawrence was 
staying, alone with two young children, and demanded 
whisky. She told them she had none. They said they 
would kill her if she did not give it, and drew their knives 
and started for her. Her little girl ran and hid herself 
Mrs. Lawrence swung her cradle containing an infant 
against the cupboard in which was the whisky, and seizing 
a chair, backed up against it. As the Indians came up, 
she gave one of them a blow that felled him to the floor, 
which cooled the courage of the other ; at the same time 
she called to a boy who was passing, and told him to run to 
the council-house and tell her husband that the Indians 
were killing her. The Indians begged her not to tell 
" Shamokaman," praised her courage, called her " good 
squaw," etc. The one she floored was ever after the best 
Indian friend .she had. This incident made her respected 
and beloved by all the tribe, and saved the setflcmcut much 
trouble. 



3Ir. and Jlrs. Lawrence were the parents of twelve chil- 
dren, all of whom (save two) reached years of maturity. 
There were six boys and six girls. Two of the sons were 
ordained ministers of the gospel ; one went out as an early 
missionary to the East Indies, and ended his life there. 
One of the daughters was the wife of Rev. Chas. Hall, for 
many years secretary of the American Tract Society, and 
all of their children became honored and useful members 
of society. 

Mrs. Lawrence's parents were descendants of the Pilgrim 
Plymouth Flock. Mrs. Lawrence's father, Thomas Good- 
man, was born in Massachusetts in 1789. His consort. 
Rosy Upson, was born in Connecticut in 1788. They 
were the parents of nine children, most of whom reached 
mature years ; the parents living to the age of fifty-eight 
and eighty-seven respectively. They emigrated to Michigan 
in an early day, while yet it was a territory and an almost 
unbroken wilderness, suffering all the hardships and pri- 
vations of pioneer life, patiently enduring the want and toil 
incident to three removals, and tliree times commencing in 
the woods. 

Her Grandfather LTpson served five years in the Revo- 
lutionary war, and was intimate with Washington. Several 
anecdotes are related of him, never before published, one 
of which is as follows : 

It was customary with Washington to go the rounds of 
his army every night, as far as he could, to comfort and 
cheer his soldiers. He says on one occasion, Washington 
came into his tent when the whole army was dispirited with 
half rations and hard fare, and said, " Boys, I hope we'll 
all soon see better times, and have plenty to eat." Just 
then a fine, fat wether stuck his head out from under a 
blanket, and said " B-a-a-a." 

" Boys," said Washington, " I guess you are doing 
pretty well now ; when you dress that fellow, remember me." 

They did remember htm, and sent up a quarter. Wash- 
iugton sent out the next morning and paid the owner for 
the sheep. 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



341 



so faithfully. We had nothing for them to eat. Mr. IJeach 
proceeded to Waterhouse Corners, and found that one of our 
neighbors there had cut some marsii hay during the sum- 
mer. He had not drawn it in. It still lay <ii] the marsh, 
some in the cock, some in the swath ; this he would .sell for 
$5 per ton, if we would draw it. This poor .stull', that had 
stood the fall rains and winter snows, was finally purchased, 
and was the only subsistence for our animals during the 
remaining part of the winter. 

"Early in the spring, Mr. Beach and his son returned to 
Saline to bring in the family, leaving me alone in mj' glory. 
There were plenty of Indians, wolves, and other wild ani- 
mals, but I did not feel as if they added much to society. 
One morning a middle-aged Indian came along just as I was 
cooking my breakfast. As Indians are always hungry, I 
invited him to stop and take breakfast with me. I fur- 
nished him the best the house afforded. He ate like a 
savage, and seemed to relish all of it except the bread, 
which was made by stirring water and flour together and 
baking before the fire. When baked, it was about as tender 
as an oaken shingle. After eating a while, he exclaimed, in 
broken English, ' No good bread.' I laughed heartily at 
his praise of my cooking. We made a pretty good meal, 
however, when my Indian guest .shouldered his rifle and 
departed. He returned an hour or so later with the car- 
casses of two deer, of which he gave me a nice ham." 

Mr. Lawrence then relates of a terrible night passed 
alone in his cabin, when the wolves by scores howled 
about him till daybreak. After an absence of two weeks 
Mr. Beach, with his family, returned. A change came 
over the scene, for a dozen Beach sprouts had sprung up 
around the parent stem, and the wild woods were made to 
echo with their shouts and laughter. 

" When the spring opened, the ' land-lookers' came flock- 
ing in by scores, as ours was the only house within a radius 
of .six miles, and our latch-string was always out. We had 
'em pretty bad. We kept eight, ten, and occiisionally as 
many as fifteen persons overnight, in addition to the large 
family. 

" Ira Purdy was the next settler, and the first one to build 
after us. He came early in the spring of 18.36, and built 
a small log house on .section 3, IG by 18 feet. He, too 
had to go into the hotel business, and declares that some 
nights he kept as many as forty people. Mr. Purdy is still 
with us, and his experiences of pioneer life are well worth 
relating. The .same spring we went to Quincy, ten miles 
north of us, to ' 'tend town-meeting,' when Mr. Beach was 
elected a justice of the peace. Our route lay through an 
unbroken wilderness, and our only guide was .sections' lines, 
which were followed through swamps and marsh, brush and 
brakes ; not a house to be seen the whole distance. 

" Soon the welcome settlers began to come in all around 
us. Of cour.se we had all kinds of inhabitants. The good 
and the bad were gathered in, and many saw pretty hard 
times for a few sea.sons. We paid 18 shillings per bushel 
for oats; pork wiis 2.5 cent.s per pound; potatoes 81 per 
bushel, and flour could only be obtained by going long dis- 
tances to mill, and then paying very high prices." 

Ira I'urdy, a native of St. .Xndn^w's, Canada, but who 
had resided in Seneca Co., Ohio, since 1818, came from the 



latter place in the fall of 183.5, and settled first on Allen 
Prairie, May 10, 183(5. He became a resident of that part 
of Quincy township now known as California. Stillman 
Ellwell came with him, and settled upon section 10. A few 
days later Azam and Horace Purdy, brothers of Ira, came 
in from Ohio. Azain located upon section 23, while Horace 
became one of the first settlers in Algansee township. 

Mr. Ira Purdy was the one man in the settlement who 
was dej)endcd upon by his neighbors to do the milling, as 
he had a good team of horses, and knew how to drive and 
care for them. During the year 1837 a great scarcity of 
breadstuffs existed among the settlers in Southern Michigan. 
Thou.sands of families had come in from the States of New 
York and Ohio. Those who had .settled years previou.sly 
had already dispo.sed of their stock on hand, and none could 
be obtained unless by traveling a long distance into Northern 
Indiana. Mr. Purdy's experiences and diflBculties on one 
of these trips is well worth relating, and is as follows : 

In June, 1837, Mr. Purdy had completed his arrange- 
ments, and was just on the point of driving ofi' in search of 
flour for his starving neighbors, when he was approached 
by one John Perrin, a settler of Camden township, who 
said, " Mr. Purdy, if you have anything in your house in 
the shape of food, for God's .sake and my suffering family 
let me have it ; my family arc starving ! We have not 
eaten a mouthful of food, except what greens I have gath- 
ered from the woods, in three weeks, and we are sick and 
starving to death'' (his family consisted of a wife and two 
children). Mr. Purdy had a bushel of wheat on his 
wagon, with which he intended to feed his team while on 
his journey. He said, " Take this wheat and save your 
fiimily." The poor man took it on his back, weak as he was, 
and carried it seven miles to his home, where it was boiled, 
and fed his starving wife and little ones. 

Mr. Purdy then proceeded on his way in quest of wheat 
or flour. He went to English Prairie, to Pretty Prairie, to 
Ox- Bow, Lima, and to White Pigeon, but not a kernel of 
grain could he procure at either, except a peck of oats at 
the latter place, for which he paid §2. Prom White Pigeon 
he proceeded on to Three Rivers, thence to Schoolcrafl, to 
Mottville, to Bristol, Ind.,and Elkhart; but nothing could 
be obtained for love or money until he reached Mishawaka, 
Ind., where he found a mill with a small supply of wheat 
on hand. Says Mr. Purdy, " I asked the miller if he had 
any flour to sell. He replied, ' I guess so ; how much 
do you want?' I answered, ' A ton.' ' I don't know as we 
have wheat enough to make it ; I'll see.' He looked in 
his bins, and then said, ' I guess we have enough, and you 
can have it.' This was Saturday noon. I a.sked when he 
would haVe it ready for me. He answered, ' I don't think 
we can get it out to-day.' ' I wish you would, for my 
neighbors are starving.' ' I'll do the best I can,' replied the 
miller. He then started another run of stoue. Soon after 
the ' bo.ss' of the mill came in, to whom the case was stated. 
He said, ' We can't get it out before Monday morning. We 
don't grind Sundays ; it's agin my principles.' Then, turn- 
ing on his heel, he walked off, and, while wrapped up in 
his self-righteousness, was willing to leave a whole neigh- 
bdrhood to suffer with hunger rather than to lu>l)> them. 
The miller then said, ' Feed your tram and bring your 



342 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



bags. I'll grind this wheat before sleeping ; will weigh it, 
set it there by the back door, and you can drive around in 
the morning as early as you choose. I'll be there, will 
throw it in your wagon, take the pay, and we'll let the old 
boss whistle about the Sunday business.' 

" I was at the mill-door before daylight next morning, 
took on 2000 pounds of flour, for which I paid $100, and 
then started homeward rejoicing. I met a man the same 
day, who was also hunting for flour. He off'ered me f8 
per cwt. for my load. I told him, ' No ; money can't buy it.' 
That night I stopped at the hotel in Mottville. The land- 
lord had a flaming sign out, but his barn was empty. Not 
a pound of hay nor a peck of grain had he, with which to 
feed a team. I told him I thought it was a pretty poor 
show. ' I know it,' says he ; ' but can't help it. I can't get 
it.' I had seen a man mowing and putting up some hay, 
back on the other side of the river. Taking my halter, I 
walked over, and asked him if he could sell me a shilling's 
worth of hay. He said, ' Yes ; lay down your halter, and I 
will give you all you can carry.' He was an honest Dutch- 
man. When he had filled my halter with all that I 
thought I could carry I cried out enough, but he kept fill- 
ing up and pressing it down, saying, ' Py gracious ! if you 
cannot carry him, I will help you. Put him on your 
wagon, — you will need him.' Next morning the landlord 
charged me one dollar for the use of his empty barn, a 
dollar for supper and breakfast, and 25 cents for lodging. 
This was a fair sample of the hotel accommodations re- 
ceived all along my route. When I reached home, after 
an absence of ten days, the neighbors came down upon me 
from far and near, some a distance of ten miles away. To 
each family I dealt out about forty pounds of flour." 

This timely arrival no doubt saved many in the settle- 
ment from the verge of starvation. They were driven to 
the direst straits to procure a few of the very necessaries of 
life. Some even dug up and ate the potatoes they had 
planted, while others cut down the timber, burned it to 
ashes, from which " black salts" were made, and carried to 
Coldwater and Jonesville, and sold for a pittance in cash, 
or a few pounds of flour. Many stout hearts grew faint 
at the prospect before them, not knowing where food was 
coming from to carry them, their wives, and little children 
through until their first harvest. In many instances, 
before the wheat w;is ripe it was cut, dried, shelled by 
hand, boiled, and eaten to sustain life. 

The spring and early summer of 1837 will always be 
remembered by those who were here at that period ; yet, 
when the trying ordeal was passed, amid an abundant har- 
vest which followed, their trials and privations were un- 
heeded, and ever after those who were industrious, and who 
practiced habits of economy, have had a sufficiency. 

During the spring and summer of 1836 the settlement 
was still further increased in numbers by the arrival of 
Ira Cass, George Monlux, Israel R. Hall, Alexander Odren, 
Theodore G. Holden, John W. Harris, William Thompson ; 
and early in 1837 by Joseph W. Lawrence, a soldier of 
1812, his son Joseph W., Jr., Jonathan Hall, and Jacob 
B. Broom. Which list, together with tho.so previously 
mentioned, comprised all the resident taxpayers in town- 
ship 8 south, range 5 west, in the fall of 1837. 



Ira Cass, a veteran of the war of 1812, and who had 
also .served in the United States army as fife-major, was a 
native of Vermont. In May, 1836, accompanied by his 
brother-in-law, George Monlux, and a family composed of 
his .sons Lewis, Ezra, Ira, Jr., Martin, and six daughters, 
he started from Muskingum Co., 0.,and arrived here during 
the same month. Their journey of some three hundred 
miles abounded in many difficulties. It is related that 
during the latter part of it they became involved in the 
almost bottomless morasses of the famous Black Swamp, 
where they were three days in gaining a distance of three 
miles. Mr. Monlux was a Virginian, and became the first 
supervisor of the township. Ira Cass was a character in 
the settlement, and perhaps no historical reminiscence of 
the pioneers would be considered complete that did not 
allude to him and his characteristics. He was the father 
of 16 children, a majority of whom are still living. He 
claims to be a relative of the Hon. Lewis Cass, and asserted 
that he might have been "one of his pups" if he would, 
but he chose to strike out and depend upon his own re- 
sources for a living, and many were the expedients resorted 
to by him to gain an honest livelihood for his numerous 
family. He was frank and generous to a fault, patriotic in 
the fullest sense of the word, and many a tale of frontier 
life and b irder warfare did he unfold to his neighbors 
during leisure hours. And the hardships and privations 
he had there endured most admirably fitted him for pioneer 
life in his Michigan home. He was very fond of tobacco, 
— an inveterate chewer. To use his own words, he had a 
'' remarkable swallow." A threepenny paper scarcely suf- 
ficed to make two good chews. It was his habit to preserve 
his " sojers," by laying them upon a stump, log, rail fence, 
or wherever he chanced to be, when he disgorged in favor 
of a fresh one. It is related that a hunter was out in the 
woods one day in quest of game, and discovered away off 
at a long distance what he supposed was a wild turkey 
sitting on a log. After cautiously approaching to within 
gun-shot range he fired, and the object fell to the ground ; 
but what was his chagrin and disappointment, on walking 
up, to find that instead of shooting a turkey he had only 
brought down one of Uncle Cass' big cjuids. 

In the latter years of his life he became a convert to 
Christianity ; was very zealous, and appeared anxious to 
make the very best use of the time left him. He was 
chosen class-leader, and one evening, while in the midst of 
an earnest exhortation, entreating his hearers to come forth 
and join the army of the Lord, he whipped out of his 
pocket a plug of tobacco, and cramming nearly one-half of 
it into his capacious mouth, exclaimed, " And yit there's 
room." This expression, coupled with the application, 
banished all seriousness during the remaining part of that 
session. 

Alexander Odren, who settled upon section 1 in the 
early part of the year 1836, was born in Detroit in 1791, 
and without doubt is now the oldest native living in the 
State of Michigan. His life has been an eventful one, and 
his recollections are worthy of some space in these pages. 

He remembers when the city of Detroit was a town of 
about 8(1 rods sc|uare, being bounded by the fort and river, 
i the whole inclo.sed by a stockade, except along the river 



TTTSTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



343 



front. Ever}' tliiitl pust ol' tlio stotk-.ulo was li)oii-liolod, 
throuj^h which the garrison could fire at ati appniachini; 
foe. At sunset the guard.s with fife and drum would 
gather up the Indians, and send thcin outside the fortifica- 
tions to their camp at Springwells. Tecuniseh with his 
braves was encamped near tlic city, and at one time was 
joined by thousands of the Saiiks and Foxes, who came | 
down the river in their birch-hurk canoes, under the leader- 
ship of Dickin.son. Mr. Odrcn describes Tccuuiseh as 
having been a tall and very ugly-looking Indian. When 
Mr. Odren wa-s a young man he went to Maiden to learn 
the baker's trade. While there he knew that human fieud, 
Simon Girty. One evening young Odren, in company with 
a number of other young men, went out from Maiden to 
attend a social party. On their return they were set upon 
by a British press-gang, who captured five of them, includ- 
ing Odren. They were taken on board the British man-of- 
war " The Queen Charlotte." Two of the young men, 
who were native Canadians, were released, but Odren and 
the other two young Americans were impressed into the 
British service. His employer came on board, and offered 
to furnish another man if they would release Odren, but 
the oflScer in command would not part with him, and he 
Wiis kept in the enemy's service more than a year, at the 
e.xpiration of which time he was captured by Commodore 
Perry, at the battle of Lake Erie. Previous to and during 
this sanguinary conflict he was the second in command of a 
24-pound gun. When the battle commenced the gun was 
manned by nine men ; at its close Odren and one other 
man were the only survivors, and the other man had an 
arm shattered. lie describes this as having been a most 
desperate engagement. Perry's force was largely composed 
of deserters from Barclay's command at Niagara, and they 
fought with the greatest desperation, knowing well that if 
captured by the British their lives would pay the penalty. 
Mr. Odren helped rig Perry's disabled fleet at Put-in-Bay, 
after which, with other prisoners, he was taken to Chilli- 
cothe, O. 

One day he was permitted to leave camp for four hours, 
when he started out to find Capt. Dryson, who was from 
Detroit, and had known him while a boy. The object of 
his search eluded him for soiue time, but finally he met the 
captain and accosted him. The oflicer did not recognize 
him until he was reminded of the many times he had made 
Odren fight battles with the other boys. When his identity 
had been established, the captain accompanied him to the 
quarters of Gen. McCarty, the oflicer in command of the post. 
Odren then made affidavit as to his nationality, when he was 
released, and immediately enlisted in the Second llifle Reg- 
iment, and did what he could to repay the enemy for oblig- 
ing him to fight against his countrymen. lie did not, how- 
ever, see much more active service, as the war was nearly 
ended. He remained in the army, doing garrison duty for 
several months af\er the close of the war, and was then dis- 
charged. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, Mr. 
Odren, then seventy years of age, offered his services to 
help defend the Union, but was not accepted. To the re- 
cruiting-officer who refused him he said that he could stay 
in garrison and handle a musket as well as any man. He 
had four sons in the Union army, one of whom gave up 



his lif<> in defense of his country's flag. Another was in 
the company which captured Jeff. Davis in petticoats. A 
grandson, in charge of a wagon-train, was with Custer at 
the time of the massacre. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Odren 
were married in 1815. Mrs. Odren is eighty-two years of 
age, the mother of thirteen children, ten of whom are 
living. 

Hiram Ellis, with his sons, Willard T. and Harley II., 
came from Living.ston Co., N. Y., and settled upon section 
15 in 1844. The father and sons have been prominent 
men in the township. 

Henry Kelso, the pre.sent supervisor, came from Living- 
ston Co., N. Y., and settled first in Clinton, Lenawee Co., 
Mich., in 1833. In November, 1835, he became a resident 
of Girard townshij). The following spring he removed to 
section 36, Union township, where he remained fifteen 
years, since which time he has been a citizen of California. 
James Craig — a Girard pioneer — settled here at an early 
day, and built the first framed house, on section 15, in 1839. 
J. H. Lawrence erected the second framed house, 1845. 
The first brick house was built by Ira A. Adams, in 1873. 
Mr. Adams has resided in California thirty-eight years. 
Sereno Gillett is also one of the earliest pioneers of the 
township, having been a resident since 1837. He was very 
poor when he came, worked day and night, and on Sundays 
he would chop down trees for his cattle to browse upon. 

The fir.st marriage in the settlement was that of Abraham 
Ackorson and Katy, his adopted sister. The first birth, 
a son of Ira Cass, now a stalwart blacksmith. The wife of 
Israel R. Hall was the first to depart this life in the town. 
The residents in 1847 were as follows: 
Sec/ion 1. — Alexander Odren, Ridgway Craft, Benja- 
min George, Sereno Gillett, Jonah Gillett, John Odren, 
Theo. G. Holden, William Weston, William P. Holden. 

Section 2 — Ira Cass, Samuel Doyle, Henry Doyle, 
Julius Luse, Joshua l^ridgeon, James Wade. 
Section 3. — Ira Purdy. 

Section 4. — Israel R. Hall, Samuel Beach, William 
Dunlap, George Monlux, William Talmadge, John Doyle, 
Henry Doyle, Jr., Adolphus Wells, Abel Parker. 
Section 5. — David Gibson. 

Section 6. — Isaac Bailey, Thomas Bailey, Isaac Bailey, 
Jr., Benjamin George, David Graham. 

Section 7. — Lyra Moltroup, Thomas Palmateer, G. D. 
Avery. 

Section 8. — Stephen M. Talmadge, James Gabb, Gilbert 
Gordinier. 

Section 9.— W. H. Lathrop, 0. N. Chapin, J. II. Hall, 
Hart. Hazen. 

Section 10. — J. W. Lawrence, J. W. Lawrence, Jr., 
James H. Lawrence, Lucian B. Hall, John V. Burt, 
Cephas B. Dresser, Nathan Austin. 

Section 11. — Chaunccy Miles, Joseph Reynolds, T. II. 
Reynolds, Joseph F. Reynolds, Daniel Diamond, Lewis 
Cass. 

Section 12. — Henry Trumbull, Isaac N. Miner, John 
M. Miner, Charles Reynolds, Azam Purdy, William G. 
Thompson, Ebenezer Adams. 

Section 13. — Chauncey Reynolds. 

Section 14. — Ranisdell, Bradley & Goodman. 



344 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



Section 15. — Hiram Ellis, James Craig. 

Section 16. — Norman Melendy, Talcott Merwin, John 
Paul, David Paul, John W. Harris. 

Section 17. — Edward Shay. 

Section 18. — Andrew J. Critchfield, Delos Greenfield, 
Richard E. Palmateer, Martin TilloUson, Gilman Withing- 
ton, Lucas Withington, Abram Palmateer. 

Section 19. — Zebina Broughton. 

Section 22.— Thoma.s Hall, J. M. Hall. 

Section 23. — Charles W. Lawrence. 

Section 24.- — Robert Merrill. 

Others here were William Palmateer, James Kirkpat- 
rick, George Hall, Cephas W. Beach, and George Bryant. 

CIVIL HLSTORY. 

California, the last township organized in the county, 
until June 29, 1832, formed part of Green township, 
which then included the whole of Branch County. It 
then became a part of Coldwater township, remaining as 
such until March 23, 1836, when it was set off with the 
present towns of Quincy and Algansee, as Quincy town- 
ship. April 2, 1838, it became a part of Algansee, and 
continued under that name until March 25, 1846, when, 
by an act of the Legislature of the State of Michigan, it 
began a separate existence as California township. 

The act reads as follows : " All that part of the county 
of Branch designated by the United States survey as town- 
ship No. 8 south, of range No. 5 west, be, and the same 
is hereby set off and organized into a separate township by 
the name of ' California,' and the first township-meeting 
shall be held at the school-hou.se in school district No. 3, 
in said township." 

Proceedings of First Township-Meeting. — At a meeting 
of the inhabitants of the town of California, held at the 
school-house in school-district No. 3, in said town, on the 
4th of May, 1846, Samuel Beach was elected Moderator; 
Isaac N. Miner, Talcott Merwiu, Lyra Moltroup, Joseph 
W. Lawrence, Sr., Inspector of Election ; and Cephas B. 
Dresser, Clerk. 

The people then proceeded to the election of township 
ofiicers, by ballot, which resulted as follows : George Mon- 
lux. Supervisor; William Beach, Township Clerk ; Ira 
Purdy, Treasurer ; Samuel Beach, George D. Avery, James 
M. Hall, Robert Merrill, Justices of the Peace ; James 
Craig, Talcott Merwin, Assessors of the Poor ; Isaac N. 
Miner, Talcott Merwin, Thomas H. Reynolds, Highway 
Commissioners ; Chauncey Miles, Cephas B. Dresser, School 
Inspectors; Alexander Odreu, Jr., Andrew J. Critchfield, 
John C. Reynolds, Constables. Overseers of Highways: 
District 2, Isaac Purdy ; district 3, Hart Hazen ; district 
4, Thomas H. Reynolds; district 11, Sereno Gillett ; dis- 
trict 12, Ebenezer Adams ; district 17,' James Hall ; district 
21, John C. Reynolds; district 20, Samuel Beach. 

At this time 60 votes were cast for the candidates for the 
office of supervisor, of which George Monlux received 29 ; 
Israel R. Hall, 18; and Hiram Ellis, 13. 

It was resolved, " That no licenses be granted for the 
sale of intoxicating liquors for the ensuing year ;" also, 
" That we will pay five dollars bounty for every full-grown 
wolf or bear caught and killed in this town." 



Jurors, 1846. — Hiram Ellis, David Graham, Grand ; 
Hart Hazeu, Lyra Moltroup, Petit. 

At the gubernatorial election, held Nov. 2, 1847, James 
M. Edmonds received 26 votes; Epaphroditus Ransom, 
21 ;'and Chaster Gurney, 3 votes. 

In 1856, Kinsley S. Bingham received for the office of 
governor, 64 votes ; Alpheus Felch, for the same office, 
51 votes. 

The gubernatorial candidates for 1860 received the fol- 
lowing number of votes : Austin Blair, 87 ; John S. Barry, 
66. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 





Supervisore. 




Town Clerk 


3. 


Treasurers. 


1846. 


George Monlu.x. 


W 


lliam Beach 




Ira Purdy. 


1847. 


" 


Joseph H. Hal 


. 


" 


1848. 


David Paul. 




" 




" 


1849. 


George Monlu.v. 


Hiram Ellis. 




Joseph H. Hall. 


1850. 


.. 




" " 




" " 


1851. 


" 


W 


m. D. Merwin. 


" 


18.52. 


David Paul. 


Hiram Ellis. 




" 


1853. 


'■ 


Joseph H. Hall. 


Ira Purdy. 


1854. 


George Moulux. 


W 


H. Lalhro] 




.. 


1S.55. 


David Paul. 




.. 




" " 


IS. it). 




H 


L'nry Kelso. 




James Paul. 


1857. 


•' 


H 


N. Lawrence. 


Johu Hiscock. 


1S5S. 


Heury Kelso. 


Henry C. Well 


S. 


•lames Paul. 


1859. 


David Paul. 




" 




.. 


1860. 


Ilarley H. Elli.-. 


H 


X. Lawrence. 


Ira Purdy. 


1861. 


" 




■ 




- 


1862. 


(( Li 


Di 


vid Paul. 




a ti 


1863. 


Henry Kelso. 


W 


Hard T. Ellis. 


Wm. Carithers. 


1864. 


Willard T. Elli.*. 


Calvin I. Merwin. 


" 


1865. 


" 


James N. Averill. 


" 


1866. 


David Paul. 








Robert M. Cairns. 


1867. 


John Paul. 








" 


1868. 


.. 








it a 


1869. 


Daniel A. Douglass 








" 


1870. 


" 








Peter D. Gibson. 


1871. 


John Paul. Jr. 








" 


1872. 


Henry Kelso. 








William L. Monlux 


1873. 


•' 


Edward P. Wallace 


a 


1874. 


Edward P. Wallace. 


M 


D. Colvin. 




A. W. Bates. 


1875. 


James N. A\'erill. 


Jo 


in Paul, Jr. 




Robert M. Cairns. 


1876. 


" 




' 




" 


1877. 


(1 n 




i ii 




a it 


1878. 


Henry Kel.<o. 


H 


oward W. Miller. 


Stan. S. Lothridge. 




.lUSTlCES OP THE PEAIE. 




l.S4fi. 


Samuel Beach. 






1862. 


Johr 


Hiscock. 




(Jeorge D. Avei-y. 






1863. 


James Paul. 




James M. Hall. 








Peter G. Decker. 




Robert Merrill. 






1864. 


James Paul. 


1847. 


(ieorge D. Avery. 








Hiram Ellis. 


1848. 


Hart Hazen. 






1865. 


Dav 


d Paul. 




Benjamin George. 






1866. 


Sam 


lel Hamer. 


1849. 


James M. Hall. 








Edward E. Gibson. 


1850. 


Charles W. Lawrence. 




1867. 


Dav 


d Paul. 


1851. 


Benjamin (Ieorge. 






1868. 


Will 


am Bates. 




Walter H. Lathrop. 






1869. 


Geor 


ge L. Gray. 


1852. 


Isaac N. Miner. 








James Paul. 


1853. 


James M. Hall. 






-1870. 


Joseph W. Lawrence. 


1854. 


Hart Hazen. 
Lester Broughton. 






1871. 


David Paul. 
Hiram Thompson. 


1855. 


Henry Havens. 






1872. 


James Paul. 


1856. 


Israel R. Hall. 








Charles G. Seeley. 




Lyra Moltroup. 






1873. 


Charles Raymond. 


1857. 


James M. Hall. 






1874. 


William Stockdale. 


1S5S. 


Hiram Ellis. 






1875. 


Dav 


d Paul. 


1859. 


James Paul. 






1876. 


A. C 


. Stokes. 


1860. 


Jacob G. Moltroup 






1877. 


Cha 


les Raymond. 


1861. 


David Paul. 
William Bates. 






- 1878. 


Rob 
Cha 


ert M. Cairns, 
■les G. Seeley. 


1862. 


Henry N. Lawrence. 











HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



345 



COUUISSIOXERS OP IIIGinVAVS. 



1S46. 



I8i7. 



1848, 
1849. 
1850. 
1851. 
1852. 
1S53. 
1854. 
1855. 
1850. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 

1860. 



Isaac M. Miner. 
Talcott Mcrwin. 
Tbouias KcynoMs. 
John V. Hurt. 
Thomas II. Reynolds. 
David Gibson. 
Lester Broughton. 
Thomas II. Reynolds. 
Nathan .Austin. 
Stcplien Talmadge. 
Charles W. Lawrence. 
William G. Thompson. 
Stephen M. Talmadge. 
Xorman Melcndy. 
Thomas Hall. 
Charles W. Lawrence. 
Thomas H. Reynolds. 
Willard T. Ellis. 
Hiram Thompson. 
Oilman Withington. 



18GI. Orrin Whitten. • 
1S62. Joseph W. LawYcnce. 

1863. Thomas II. Reynolds. 

1864. Gilbert Gordinior. 

1865. Joseph W. Lawrence. 

1866. Orrin Whitten. 

1867. Hugh iMcMurray. 

1868. Jeremiah Depue. 

1869. Orrin Whitten. 
Joseph W. Lawence. 

1870. Hugh McMurray. 

1871. Josejih W. Lawrence. 

1872. Orrin Whitten. 

1873. Archibald Bates. 

1874. R. E. Comstock. 

1875. J. U. Lawrence. - 

1876. Alexander Vance. 

1877. E. B. Forbes. 

1878. Robert M. Cairns. 



STATISTICAL — 1837-1874. 

The resident land-owners of California township in 1837, 
their location by .sections, number of acres owned, and the 
number and kind of live stock possessed by each at that 
date is shown by the following list : 

Samuel Beach, section 4, 160 acres, 3 cows, 6 o.xen, 2 horses. 
Israel R. Hall, sections 3, 4, and 9, 430 acres, 3 cows, 3 oxen, 2 
horses. 

Ira Purdy, section 3, 80 acres, 2 cows, 2 horses. 

Azam Purdy, section 23, 80 acres, 1 cow, 2 horses. 

Ira Cass, sections 2 and 3, SO acres, 1 horse. 

George Monlux, section 4, 80 acres, 2 cows, 2 o.xen. 

Alexander Odren, section 1, 160 acres, 1 cow. 

Theodore G. Holden, sections 1, 2, and 12, 640 acres, 2 cows, 2 oxen. 

John W. Harris, section 1, 40 acres, 1 cow. 

William Thompson, section 12, 40 acres. 

Stillman Elwell, section 10, 160 acres, 1 cow, 2 oxen, 3 horses. 

Joseph W. Lawrence, Sr., sections 5 and 34, 240 acres. 

Jacob B. Brown, section 6, 80 acres. 

Jonathan Hall, section 6, SIJ acres, 1 cow, 2 oxen. 

In addition to those before mentioned, the following ap- 
peared upon the rolls in 1838 : 

Fowler Quimby, section 1, 40 acres, 1 cow. 
Ridgeway Craft, section 1, 40 acres, 3 cows. 
Justus Louse, section 12, 40 acres, 1 cow, 2 oxen. 
Joseph F. Reynolds, section 11, 40 acres, 2 cows, 2 oxen. 
John Vincent, section 11, 40 acres, 1 cow, 2 oxen. 
Gilbert Gordinier, section 8, 40 acres, 2 cows, 2 oxen, 
James H. Lawrence, section 10, 80 acres, 2 oxen. 
J. W. Lawrence, Jr., section 5, 80 acres, 1 cow. 
James Craig, sections 15 and 21, 404 acres. 
Rev. George Bryant, section 16: no tjixes levied. 
-Asel Whitney, section 6, 160 acres, 1 cow, 2 oxen. 
Isaac Withey, section G, 70 acres, 1 cow, 2 oxen. 

1874. 

Population . 841 

Total area (acres) 13,275 

.•icres in farm lands 11,1125 

" improved 6,080 

Farmers 149 

Acres of wheat growing, June, 1874 1,842 

" harvested, 1873 1,567 

'* corn harvested, 1873 1,104 

Bushels wheat harvested, 1873 32,036 

" corn harvested, 1873 38,624 

" other grain harvested, 1873 10,430 

" potatoes harvested, 1873 5,358 

Tons hay harvested, 1873 1,024 

Pounds wool sheared, 1873 6,892 

" pork marketed, 1873 101,381 

44 



Pounds butter made, 1873 32,568 

" fruit dried for market, 1873 15,637 

Barrels cider made. 1873 361 

Pounds maple-sugar made, 1873 1,300 

Horses one year old and upward, 1874 317 

Mules 2 

Work oxen 14 

Milch cows 371 

Cattle other than oxen and milch cows 344 

.'^winc over six months old 538 

Sheep over six months old 1,843 

*' sheared. 1H7;1 1,723 

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 

The Fort Wayne, Jackson and Saginaw Railroad enters 
the township from the south, and running in a northeast- 
erly direction, intersecting in its .course sections 22, 23, 14, 
and 13, it leaves the town south of the centre on the east 
border. State Line, a station on the route, is situated 
partly in California township, and partly in the State of 
Indiana. 

The road-bed of the proposed Mansfield, Coldwater and 
Lake Michigan Railroad enters the township south of the 
centre, on the east border. Its course is northwesterly, and 
intersects sections 13, 12, 11, 10, 3, and 4, leaving the 
town west of the centre, on the north border. California 
village is a station. The work was performed in 1872. 
The people of California subscribed very liberally to aid in 
its construction, paying in an amount of about §10,000, of 
which Willard T. Ellis paid 81500, besides granting the 
right of way across his lands and four acres of land for 
depot purposes. 

VILLAGES. 

California, a small village of about 100 inhabitants, is 
situated north of the central part of the township. It is 
ten miles due south of Quincy village, and throe miles dis- 
tant from State Line, its nearest railroad station. It con- 
tains one church edifice (Presbyterian), two stores of gen- 
eral merchandise, one drug-store, steam saw-mill, district 
school-house, post-office, which receives mail tri-wcekly, and 
blacksmith-shop. The first settlers in the township settled 
on and near its site. The first land plowed in the township 
was upon the extreme southwest corner of section 3, where 
Samuel Beach and James H. Lawrence cultivated and 
raised one-half acre of potatoes in the summer of 1836. 
Mr. Beach traveled fifty miles and paid §1 per bushel for 
the potatoes he planted. Originally, the land in its vicin- 
ity consisted of oak openings, which was generally the case 
throughout the township. 

Joseph Hall sold the first goods here in 1846. J. W. 
Lawrence, Sr., was the first blacksmith, and W. H. Lathrop 
and a Mr. Morgan were the first carpenters. Kdward and 
Thomas Morrow erected the first sawmill (steam) in 1867. 
Cephas B. Dresser was the earliest law practitioner. Dr. 
Isaac N. Miner was the first resident physician in the 
township. The present ones are Drs. Ayres and Jlitchell, 
who are both located in the village. 

SCHOOLS. 

In the winter of 1838-39, ^Miss Sarah Beach, the daugh- 
ter of Samuel Beach, taught the first school. The room 
occupied was one part of Ira Purdy 's double log house. 
This house is described as having been " cobbed off" with 
a shake roof, chinked and plastered with mud in the rudest 



346 



HISTOKY OP BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



style of the olden time. The writing-desks were made by 
boring holes into the logs, — composing the side walls of the 
building, — in which were driven projecting pins of wood, 
slanting downwards. Upon these pins was laid a slab or 
puncheon of wood, split and hewn from a forest-tree. The 
seats and floors were constructed in the same rude manner. 
During the following summer a log school-house was built, 
which for many years stood near the site of the present 
school-house in California village. 

At the first meeting of the inspectors of schools, which 
was held at the town clerk's office. May 23, 1846, certifi- 
cates to teach primary schools were granted Dolly R. Weeks 
and Rosalia Moltroup. 

Prom an annual report made in 1847 the following 
statistics are taken : Number of school districts in the 
township, 5 ; children of school age residing in the town- 
ship, 186; children attending school during the year, 186. 
Male teachers employed, 3 ; female, 4. Average wages 
per month paid male teachers, $12.50 ; female, $4.50. 
Total amount of money received from the township treas- 
urer, $44.33 ; total amount raised by tax in the township 
for school purposes, 897.63. 

At the annual township-meeting in 1848 it was resolved 
" that we raise 37 J cents for each scholar under the age of 
four years, or over the age of eighteen, for the ensuing 
year." 

School statistics, 1877.* — Whole districts, 4 ; parts of 
districts, 2 ; school-houses, 6 ; frame school-houses, 6 ; 
seating capacity of school-houses, 270 ; value of school 
property, $2400. Children of school age residing in the 
township, 282 ; children attending school during the year, 
291. Male teachers employed during the year, 4 ; female, 
7. Mouths taught by male teachers, 14 ; by female, 25. 
Paid male teachers, 6423.75 ; female, $505.95. 

Receipts. — Money on hand, Sept. 4, 1876, $153.20 ; two- 
mill tax, $209.09 ; primary-school fund, $135.74 ; tuition 
of non-resident scholars, $7 ; district taxes, for all other 
purposes, $894.95 ; from all other sources, $121.14. 

Expenditures. — Teachers' wages, $929.70 ; repairs, $8.25 ; 
bonded indebtedness, $226 ; other purposes, $351.86. On 
hand Sept. 3, 1877, $95.98. 

SOCIETIES. 

Lodges of the Masonic and Odd-Fellow fraternities exist 
in the township, and both are of recent organization, but we 
have no data concerning them, though the secretaries were 
respectfully requested to furnish the same. 

CALIFORNIA CORNET BAND. 

This band was organized June 23, 1877, and comprises 
the following-named members : W. A. Depue, Leader ; E. 
J. Lawrence, S. K. Logan, John Kelso, David Spear, W. 
G. Clark, D. Bascomb, W. Judson, Ed. Playford, Earl 
Durfur, Alvah Ayres, John Carnes, and B. Shirts. Their 
instruments are owned by themselves, and cost $200. They 
have also expended $50 for music, $70 for music lessons, 
and $100 for a band-wagon. 

* The latest completed. 



CHURCHES. 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The society composing this church was organized by Rev. 
Ozias Littlefield, in the school-house at Hall's Corners, 
April 11, 1840. The original members were 11 in num- 
ber, as follows : Joseph W. Lawrence, Sr., Sybil Lawrence, 
Thomas Pratt, Alma Pratt, Joseph W. Lawrence, Jr., 
Susan N. Lawrence, Ezra S. E. Brainard, Sabrina Braiuard, 
Walter H. Lathorp, Emeline Lathorp, and Mrs. Lucy 
Bobbins. At the first meeting, Thomas Pratt, Joseph 
W. Lawrence, Jr., and Walter H. Lathrop were elected 
ruling elders. 

Mr. Littlefield, the first pastor, supplied the pulpit until 
January, 1843. He was succeeded by Mr. Page, who re- 
mained but a few months. Rev. Louis Mills also came in 

1843, and was succeeded by 0. N. Chapin, November, 

1844. Other pastors were as follows : Daniel Jones, April, 
1849; George Brown, March, 1856; A. T. Reese, Feb- 
ruary, 1859 ; Charles S. Adams, January, 1862 ; Alanson 
Scofield, April, 1864; E. F. Tanner, June, 1873; J. P. 
Donaldson, January, 1877 ; and W. P. Mathews, the last 
pastor, April 1, 1877. The pulpit is now supplied by Rev. 
Joseph A. Ranney, of Kalamazoo. 

Present membership, 42. No of pupils in Sabbath-school 
classes, 40. Willard T. Ellis, Sunday-school superintend- 
ent. Their church edifice was commenced in 1869, com- 
pleted and dedicated in 1871. It has sittings for about 
300 people, and cost $2600. Mr. W. T. Ellis contributed 
the site. 

CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN. 

The society composing this church was organized in 
June, 1868, with a membership of eight, of whom Thomas 
Copeland was appointed leader. Their first pastor was Rev. 
J. K. Swihart. He has been succeeded by Revs. R. T. 
Martin, J. Waldorf, I. Johnson, R. T. Martin, again, S. 
Redman, G. W. Hill, J. P. Kester, and J. Waldorf Pres- 
ent membership, 49. Pupils in Sabbath-school classes, 45. 
A. C. Stokes Sunday-school superintendent. 

A church edifice was erected in 1873, at a cost of $1200, 
and has sittings for 200 people. It is 32 by 42, ground 
plan, and of that peculiar style of architecture denominated 
a " stick house." 

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

This society was organized June 16, 1865, by Rev. 
Samuel Wallace, of Piqua, 0., under the care of Sidney 
Presbytery. 

The session was composed of Elders William C. Thomp- 
son and Alexander Giilis, together with Rev. S, Wallace, 
as moderator, and William A. Hutchison, clerk. The fol- 
lowing-named persons were then received on certificate : 
William C. Thompson and wife, Alexander Thompson, 
Mary E. Thompson, Thomas Hall and wife, Margaret A. 
Hall, Martha L. Hall, John S. Patterson and wife, Robert 
Stewart, William Stewart and wife, William Stewart, Jr., 
Oscar Jameson and wife, and Alexander Vance and wife. 
At an adjourned session, held June 19, 1865, the following 
persons were received on examination : Alexander Douglass, 



HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 



347 



G. A. Duguid and wife, Mrs. Mary Stewart, Mary Carithers, 
Jane E. Paul, Mary Tillot.son, Sallie Melondy, Sarah Crater, 
Minerva Ford, JMisses Mary Melendy, Joanna Ford, Libbie 
Paul, and Rebecca Stewart. 

William C. Thompson was installed a,s a ruling elder 
June IC, 1865. Thomas Hall was chosen as a ruling elder 
at the same time, but was not installed until Sept. 19, of 
the same year. 

The society has been iurnished with stated supplies by 
the Presbytery, the first being William A. Hutchison, a 
licentiate. Their only settled pastor was Rev. J. K. Black, 
who remained two years. A union Sabbath-school is held 
with the Reformed Presbyterians, and is very prosperous. 
Present membership of the society, 23. 



REFORMED PRESHYTERIAXS. 

This denomination has a large membership in California, 
but their church edifice is situated at State Line, in Indiana. 
Rev. John French, their pastor, settled here in 1850, and 
has preached to his people in this vicinity to the present 
time. 

To Messrs. James H. Lawrence, Ira I'urdy, Ira Cass, 
Alexander Odren, Henry Kelso, Willard T. Ellis, Thomas 
Hall, S. B. Dickinson, A. C. Stokes, W. A. Depue, and 
many othere, we desire to return our thanks for many favore, 
courteous treatment, and the valuable information, historical 
reminiscences, etc., received from them. 





CHARLES RAYJIOND. 



MRS. CHARLES RAYMOND. 



CHARLES KAYMUXl). 
Nathaniel Raymond settled in the city of Adrian, Mich., 
when the ground it now embraces was a vast unbroken 
wilderness. Charles Raymond, his son and one of eight 
children, was 1 oru July 23, 1836, and spent his early life 
upon a farm with his father. At the age of twenty-one ho 
learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner, and soon after 
married Miss Carrie E. Golden, of Medina, Mich. After a 



short residence in Adrian, ]\Ir. and Mrs. Raymond removed 
to Chicago, and later returned to Michigan and located 
upon the farm Mrs. Raymond now occupies in California 
township. They had two sons, thirteen and fourteen years 
of age respectively, both of whom are pursuing their studies. 
Mr. Raymond died in November, 1877, leaving his widow 
and two sons to survive him. Mrs. Raymond is about 
erecting a suitable monument to his memory. 



